AGAIN sorry for the delay, I have a month of vacation and having a hard time to make a plot for my other story. I have to rewatched Infinite Stratos again because I kinda forgot about it now though because I based my stories on anime not in novels and manga but I will not follow the same plot and story line just the characters.

Now all that explained here is the new chapter!

Chapter 19: Preparations

(Londonium, Albion)

At the deep of the night few hours before the sunrise, some mysterious flying objects quietly hovering towards the Capitol and entering it's airspace. It's flight altitude is high enough to not noticeable even for the footmen guarding the walls as it concealed itself from the vast darkness while currently making it's way to a certain location inside the Capitol.

"Huh...?"A footmen suddenly wakes up from the faint noise of the aircraft flying just above them.

"Hey, did you hear that?" He said to his companion who is also on guard duty with him which is now falling asleep while supporting itself with a spear.

"Hmm, what...?" Awake from the pat of his fellow he looks at him with half asleep.

"I think I heard something just now." He said to him but unsure to himself if he really heard something.

"Nah forget it, it must be your imagination since you're already tired in this shift." His fellow footmen brushed it off as it resumed to sleep. The other footmen thinks for it for a second before he shrugs it off also as he returns to his usual duty.

Meanwhile at the Count Alford's manor, there's an activity ongoing with all it's residences have gathered at the large backyard garden of the mansion.

"Are you really sure they will come here to pick us up?" Count Norman expresses his doubts about this escort mission this rebel spies claimed after he agreed to cooperate with them.

"Be at ease Mr. Norman I assure you they will be here soon." An allied spy assured to him. Standing awaiting at the large backyard garden of the manor, the Count and his siblings, the rebel spies, his servants and there families are anxiously waiting in the middle of the night with just a few lamps for a little illumination to lessen the possibility of being spotted and not wanting to call an unwanted attention. Just a while ago, the Count himself issued for all of it's loyal servants to gather their families and relatives at the manor for the evacuation also as the spies instructed him to do. There's a possibility that they might be interrogated and tortured if one day a Count in this place suddenly disappears overnight. It would surely put them on suspected lists that will lead them into being questioned and from the customs of this era of interrogation it will be not a very pleasant one because of the absence of human rights here. The servants were confused at first but still followed nonetheless so they brought their families along with them and thank goodness it was not that too many to be count of.

After he declared his allegiance he told them that their is no need for any formalities since they are now on the same league. Knowing that the prince was among them he invite them to his manor to talk about this retrieval mission that they going to commence once they got his approval. When they explained to him that they will personally pick them up here in his estate he thinks that they just exaggerating. There's no way they can sneak a large number of convoy and lead them out of the Capitol without being detected but seeing that they are being serious about it he could not help but feel anxious. Still, a part of him has a feeling that they can pull this off. After all this are the rebels that thrash reconquista left and right so far. The very people who pulled off countless miracles against an formidable army in a span of months so he was bit looking forward to what kind of stunt they will show that it made possible for them to escape without being spotted behind enemy territory. While idly waiting and being in a state of wonder, his train of thoughts suddenly interrupted by a distinct sound from distance.

"Well, here they are. Just on time." The spy beside him said while looking up at distant sky. Norman followed their gaze and there he saw something that left him gape and stupefied. He saw eight strange flying silhouettes in a vast darkness in the illumination of twin moons speedily approaching at there position. As it getting closer, this things appeared to be some metallic giant bird monstrosities which is now hovering above them.

"W-WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?!"

"ARE THEY DRAGONS, ARE THEY GOING TO EAT US?!"

"WAIT, those dragons...THEY ARE MADE OF METAL!"

The people of the manor started to panic and fear at the sight of this flying metal contraptions. Thankfully one of the spy eases the panicking crowd and said that this are the airships that was sent to pick them up in this place. Although quite skeptical looking from the ordinary airships they know, they seems to believe it since the century bombers started to land at the huge garden of the mansion and open it's bay doors at the back with some escorts exited to assists them meaning it was really a transport ship. Each bombers can carry ten personnel and six payloads at the same time so it's enough to accommodate a large group of people for transporting.

"Alright people listen! All of you will aboard each of one of this airships that will send you to a safe zone. The ongoing civil war now are becoming more dangerous than you all anticipated. Sooner or later, this Capitol will become a battleground so before that happens we will escort you all away here." The spy leader said to all of the people present in the area. They all well aware of the ongoing civil war and based from what they heard the reconquista forces are now slowly losing ground in this conflict. According to the rumors, the whole southern region of Albion are now fell to the hands of the rebels which surprisingly an army of peasants. Many attempts had happened from the new holy state to retake this areas but all ended in complete failure and annihilation of the army that was sent to repel this rebellion. Reconquista tried to cover this spreading rumors about this humiliating defeat but since their higher ups was in turmoil because of this rebels and the fact that news spread fast that they are unable to stop it from spreading to the local populace. Unbeknownst to them, the allied spies that managed to infiltrate the Capitol contributed to such rumors to create unrest within just to incite disorder to the state that would brought them to pressure of committing more mistakes and wrong decisions.

After the spies explained, the enthusiastic people of the manor soon started to pack up their belongings and went to every designated bombers they're going to aboard in with guidance from each escorts . The lead spy watching this evacuation unfolding saw the Count still bewildered on this. He approached him and tapped his shoulders to snap him out.

"Count Norman, it's time to go." The lead spy said bringing Norman back to reality.

"A-aahh yes yes, sorry..." He stammered and then went to his siblings and prepare for embark.

"Emi, Lance get yourselves ready. We're going to leave." Norman said to his siblings then gestures to his personal servants to started carry their belongings.

"Big brother, where are we going?" Emi the second youngest sister asked in a worry.

"Where going to a safe place far from here. Trust me Emi, everything will be alright." Norman eases her as he gently pats her head.

"Big brother, are we going to ride in one of those cool looking airships?" Lance, the younger brother and the youngest among the siblings chimed in asking in curiosity and excitement.

"Yes, we're gonna ride in one of those amazing airships so chin up because we were having a fun ride today." Norman replied with a happy tone that makes his little brother draw in excitement.

The spy leader while looking at the conversation between siblings, he was suddenly patted in the shoulder by one of his fellow spies saying that everyone was already aboard and only them are the ones who has not yet getting in.

"Sir Norman, we have to go now." The spy leader then call out the Count as they are now needed to leave for departure. Norman nods and take his younger siblings into the nearest Century bomber along with their servants carrying their stuffs.

As everyone now finally inside the bombers, the bay doors closed and the aircrafts immediately started to hover up and leave the premises. Norman with his one final glance on his mansion from the window of the plane promise to himself that one day he will be back here when everything is finally done and justice is already in his grasp. After all this place is full of memories of his parents and his late sister that he will never forget. Then his gaze switch towards his destination, flying towards his mission of retribution against those who wronged him and his family and with the help of this mysterious rebels and their amazing constructs.

(Royal Palace Letuce, Gallia)

"You still didn't found her mother?" King Joseph of Gallia asked his trusted right hand Sheffield who is now kneeling in front of him. With his boredom expression while fidgeting a chess piece in his hand, he wants to hear some progress report to her but so far nothing has bear fruit.

"Forgive me for my lack of preparedness my lord. The whole of Tristain is on high alert since the discovery of a large number of traitors amongst them, tightening there security even more. It's too difficult to infiltrate them now than before. I have to take extra precautions to avoid compromising, that's why it's a giving me a hard time to do my mission smoothly." Sheffield replied accordingly with completion to explain her unfinished mission. The Gallian king just eyed his chess piece at the level of his face while in deep thought. Accurately, everything began to turn anew since the appearance of this human familiars and the faceless rebels in Albion that currently giving Cromwell a beating. Truly an enigma to his part that this people somewhat giving him a challenge that he never experience before. Instead of getting mad at this results he just smirk in delight as finally someone will give him an entertainment in this boring situation of his. A fine worthy opponents in his chess game and he expected nothing but a marvellous battle between them.

"Sheffield, it's fine if you failed to do so. Just continue observing from the sidelines and report to me if there's something interesting happening." King Joseph said with warm and composure despite his disappointment to unable to hold this upstart niece of his anymore but there's always another time for that to happen. First, he will watch this interesting individuals that catches his attention so far. He can't wait to see what kind of performances this fellows will show for his entertainment.

(Allied Central Command Base, South Albion)

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes commander."

"Good."

Exiting the sliding doors towards outside while wearing his cap, Stanford walks out with his escorts as he approach towards the podium. All eyes on him as he stops at the center facing in front of a large contingent of soldiers compose of both his peacekeepers and recruits who joined his cause in a perfect line formation, armed with newly standard assault rifles that they mass produce in numbers thanks to a fellow allied soldier who accidentally end up in this world long ago. Along with some newly trained officers at the front of the line including special agent Tanya who is a clone of the original Tanya that he worked with back in his old world. He was quite surprised before that futuretech would think of using her DNA for cloning purposes.

As he stands in front all of them with an imposing aura of a commander, all the soldiers present suddenly let out a firm salute simultaneously as a show of respect to their supreme commander. Stanford in response return the salute with his own.

"AT EASE!" He shouted for all of them to hear and they all lower their hands as he did so. A soldier approach him at the stage placing a microphone with a stand in front. The soldier salutes on him and immediately leave. Stanford looks at all of them present here before he speaks.

"Soldiers of the proud freedom army. I am here standing in front of all of you to tell you that for this past months of our fight against oppression we have accomplish so many goals. Not only we taste our adversaries with a crushing defeat but also we freed a number of our brethren in some villages, cities and towns from the hands of this evildoers. Bringing back the smiles and freedom for our people and that is what I say a great achievement that we should rejoice and celebrate!" After that speech a loud cheers from not only the soldiers but also to the staffs and volunteers who are present. Their morale was so high after some skirmishes and major offensives that they launch in past days that lead to their enemy to be thrown out in the southern region. It was a miracle to consider that they've won this battles without casualties on their ranks and it was all thanks to a man whose right now standing at the stage in front of them.

" But this is all not possible if it not for the help of my trusted allies and I would like to call them and stand beside me in this podium." Stanford said as four people walks up the stage. Presenting themselves in front of the crowd as four of them are the familiar figures of this rebellion.

"Senior officer John of the army official staffs, Special Agent Tanya of the assault, logistics, and intelligence department, Miss Tiffania Westwood of the volunteer aid and medical corps, and his highness prince Wales the leader of this rebellion." Stanford presented each of them in front of all. This people are the key figures of this rebellion including Stanford and they are assembled in one place. Their supreme commander although the one who started this ordeal prefers to be a field commander who will personally command the army against Reconquista menace. He is an ideal leader type but he choose to be not because he didn't want them to make him a king or a ruler by the people after this rebellion is won. Instead he find a more suitable one and he found it by the form of a former albionese prince. The prince of Albion himself was quite a charismatic leader. He lead the royalist in battle against an unstoppable army of Reconquista during the time of coup and he was really good at it for the record. Only got shortened when he was almost killed by the hands of a traitor if Stanford didn't interfere to save his life. His speech during campaign of propaganda really swayed a number of people in their cause and also due to his popularity among the common folk that gives him a huge credit. He gave them courage to join the fight and made them stand their ground against the abuse they suffered at the hands of this holy state. Stanford knows he would be a perfect leader and the people easily accepted him as the rebel leader.

A series of applause from the audience was greeted to this key figures that made this revolution possible. Each of them made a big role for this revolution that will determine the future of Albion and now, Stanford made a speech for everyone to hear.

"People of Albion, we are here to announce that in this coming days we will launch a major biggest offensive in our history. So I want you all to prepare yourselves for that day because once we accomplish that it will lead to a complete victory of the rebellion. And now here is my friend and the leader of this revolution, prince Wales to announce it to all in front you and to all who are currently witnessing this important announcement." Stanford said and handed the microphone towards the prince and the latter accepts it. The supreme commander step aside as he allowed Wales to take over the center. Wales stood firm and clears his throat before he starts out his words. He was a bit nervous because he is not only being watch by those people in front of him but also by the whole populace in every territories they seize thanks to a magical device that makes people see him live from long distances. Nevertheless, he steeled himself and begin.

"My beloved people of this nation, I the former crown prince Wales of Tudor standing here in front of all of you to announce that days of suffering and injustice will come to an end. I know many of you there lost loved ones and lives ruined in the past wars and the unjust treatment from the hands of the abusive nobility. But now I assure you, this will be the last days that their era of oppressing common people will last. After we won this war you will be all proud to proclaim yourselves free from being under there whims! No more nobility, no longer servants and slaves, you will be all granted privileges to be equals in standing in the new Albion that we will established from the ashes of this dark times! So boost yourselves up, keep your spirits high as we will engraved a path towards the freedom that we all desire not only for ourselves but also for our children and our next generation!" Wales raised his fists high along with the encouraging words in his last sentence and the crowd of people witnesses this speech all yells in cheers loudly all across southern Albion in jubilance.

While this event is happening, a certain misfortune befalls at the enemies side.

(Somewhere In The Road To Londonium)

"WHAT IS THIS, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" The lead reconquista officer yelled in pure horror and disbelief while struggling to his horse reigns. Witnessing his army being bombarded by a powerful artillery that makes the ground tremble and tearing his soldiers apart. Screams and wails of his men was echoed all around the killzone. Just a moments ago that he and his army received an immediate order to go back to the capitol by the direct summons of his holiness himself. When they leave Wexington and march there way to Londonium, suddenly an ambush was occurred by a cannon fire from the enemies along the way and they were now trapped at the middle of it.

"ALL MEN REGAIN YOURSELVES AND FOLLOW ME TO ATTACK THE ENEMY AT THE HIGH GROUNDS!" He issued an order to all his forces near him to rally and charge at the enemies he suspected hiding at the high ground area where the artillery strikes comes from. The remaining soldiers especially in horseback tried to focus themselves spearheaded an attack at the enemies position. Filling with warcries along with their dwindled numbers tried to regain their morale by hoping to slay at least one foe but the only thing that greet them is absolute despair. A hail of gunfire was met from the rebels that tore the limbs and flesh of the medieval soldiers, reducing their ranks until no one left along with their leader who got a shot from the head. A clean shot that leaves a shock face of disbelief in his eyes. The remaining reconquista soldiers being hammered saw their leader being killed force to surrender by the heavy artillery fire of Pacifier FAV's in line formation deployed at the top ground.

"HALT, THE ENEMIES HAVE SURRENDERED!" The allied senior officer commands to stop the bombardment. He then ordered his men to subdue and disarm the surviving reconquista forces. The wounded will be treated and the prisoners will be sent for questioning or in the security prisons build for POW's.

(Saxe-Gotha, Albion)

"Are there any survivors?"

"We found none sir."

"Sigh...alright just continue searching."

The soldier saluted at his senior officer and proceeds to go back at the Reconquista's garrison base...or what's left in it. The allies rebel army are currently searching at the ruins and debris of the former garrison base stationed here in South Gotha, looking for any survivors from the proton strike launched by the Proton Collider. The decision for a proton strike in this garrison base was decided because of a major factor. This base was housing an amount of sky wyvern riders and the decision was to not let any of it take flight in the sky. A possibility that one could escape and alert the Capitol about what's happening here. Sky wyverns are known to be fast and agile so it might have a chance to run away if they learn that they could not win against a dogfight. Surely they could chase it down but Stanford will not take it for granted.

This poor souls didn't know what hit them and they've just erased from existence without them being aware. The messenger contains the order of withdrawal didn't arrived in this base as it should be because it was intercepted once again by the allies to know the contents of the letter. Here the allies discovered that Cromwell was in desperate situation to defend his precious Capitol in a one final clash against the rebels and he needs all his forces that he could muster. Of course Stanford wouldn't allow that, so he ordered his available forces along with the newly trained locals for exposure to mount a simultaneous ambush to those forces that will withdraw towards Londonium.

After this operation turn success then they will proceed to take over those remaining towns and cities unopposed that will effectively conclude that all of southern Albion are now in the rebels control.

"HEY OVER HERE I FOUND A SURVIVOR!" A rebel soldier shouted at his comrades while trying to lift some debris from the spot where he found a survivor. The other rebels approach and help him lift some rocks until they manage to recover a said survivor. A young brown haired man in teenage years wearing a dragon rider uniform was found barely conscious under the debris of the stables area where dragons stored at. He was heavily injured and even hardly to move in his current state. Beside him was a winged wyvern dragon which is also seriously injured and still alive but critical.

"Hey, help me patch him up." A rebel said to his fellow. When they was about to pick him up the young man instinctively pull out his wand with all his strength and pointed it to the suspected rebels and release a stream of wind they pushes the two rebels away. Although he manage to hit them but his spell is too weak to injure or kill them.

"RESTRAIN HIM!" Shouted a rebel and immediately all of the rebels in the vicinity took their stance and trained their rifles towards the boy.

"GIVE UP BOY, THERE IS NO NEED TO YOU TO FIGHT AN INEVITABLE, NO NEED TO THROW AWAY YOUR LIFE!" The rebel senior officer urge the young man to surrender. Eventhough he is a noble he's still young to die like this. But the young man instead do a protective stance between them and the dragon behind him. The senior rebel saw through this behaviour and suddenly by it an idea.

"Boy it seems that your dragon is in critical state. Here's an offer, we will treat your dragon and you also but in exchange that you surrender yourself to us. Deal?" The rebel officer offered a deal with the boy and hope that he will accept it. Since it seems that he cared about the dragon then should choose to give up although nobles are known to be a stubborn bunch with it comes to surrender.

The seemed reluctant while glancing a bit to his winged dragon which is hanging onto it's dear life. He wants to surrender but being noble stopping him from doing so, he was conflicted by it. The young noble was about to reply when suddenly he collapse and fell to the ground unconscious.

"Hurry up and patch him and that dragon quickly!" The rebel officer yelled to his soldiers and a group of medical engineers approach the unconscious kid and his dragon.

"The others, proceed to search!" He then commanded them to go back from searching. The searching continues until everything was cleared and now all that's left is to retake Saxe-Gotha.

(Allied Central Command Base, South Albion)

( Allied Construction Yard)

"That is all from the report sir." An officer said to Stanford after he reports the outcome of the operation he entrusted to his new officers and to his delight everything went good.

"Alright, thank you for your report. Your are now dismissed." Stanford dismisses him and the officer replies with a salute and exits his office. Stanford looks at the reports on the field so far. The remaining towns and cities are successfully captured without any resistance from the populace instead they met with open arms from the inhabitants. A public discontent against the holy state are rampant in all places. Reconquista is known to be oppressive to the common folk so this was expected. Everything was so easy since his adversaries are made up of a bunch of fools who doesn't know about tactical warfare and still holding to their honor and glory crap. Ambushing them was too easy and retaking this areas is nothing but a present in a silver platter.

Being satisfied from this reports he closes the dossier and exited his office. He walks through the hallway and enters a room where someone is anxiously waiting for him who is chatting with someone else.

(Few moments ago)

"Your Highness it's really you, it's good to see you alive and well!" Norman greeted Wales in joy and relief as he grasp both prince's hands in absolute manner.

"Me too, sorry if I make you worried my friend." Prince Wales greeted him back in return. The two then sits at the opposite sides of the table and start their chatter.

"Your Highness, do you know where are we and what is this place." Norman asked curiously as to where he and his family was brought. He glance around and saw all alien designs of metallic structures from walls, to floors, and ceiling all foreign and mysterious for him.

"About that well, you will know it once you use to this place. It's hard to explain and understand so I just deduced it as a form of magic." Wales just waved his thoughts about understanding the secrets of this base and focus only on how to liberate the people of Albion.

"I-I see then." Norman no longer tried to pester him about this because even his Highness himself has no clue about this place.

"So, it's been awhile." Wales back to the greetings at hand.

"Yes it's been awhile since I last contact you your Highness, I thought Reconquista has manage to assassinate you at that time." Norman replied in the conversation.

"Yes, I thought the same thing but still here I am, alive and well." Wales replied with a heartfelt laugh.

"What do you mean by that?" The Count asked bit skeptical.

"The truth is... I was really assassinated at Newcastle." Wales replied looking at him.

"What...then HOW-?!" Norman was shock but before he could say anything Wales answers him.

"Because I was rescued and revived by Mr. Stanford and my cousin Miss Tiffania." Wales answered.

"So you mean that, wait...cousin?" Norman was very confuse from this sudden information right now.

"Ah I forgot to tell you my friend. Actually I have a close relative here and she happens to be my cousin in my mother's side. She is the one who revived me back to life so I owe her my life, her and Mr. Stanford who rescued me out of Newcastle." Wales continued to explain everything to Norman in order for him to catch in some recent events that was transpiring over this past month until to the point that he was personally recommended for a becoming an envoy and negotiator for the mainland.

Norman was shock to hear about everything, this rebellion started by this mysterious man named Peter Stanford and prince Wales just agreed to go along with in exchange of becoming the main figurative leader of this revolution. He was confuse as to why someone like him is willing to hand over the leadership while he can seize it as an opportunity of becoming a king of this land. Wales told him that Stanford has no interest to such position, he at first was also confuse by it but during the time he works with this man he come to know and understand why. Stanford is no like other in this world where power is everything, he too also has a power but he is not like the other people who would exploit it to trample others. Norman also came to a shock from a revelation that Stanford was a familiar of Wales cousin. Having a human familiar is unprecedented but what the prince said was all facts and he has no reason to be lying.

"So the reason why he wants me to become an envoy to the mainland because he wanted me to hold the countries there to not interfere in this conflict here?" Norman questioned as he was trying to conclude his purpose here.

"Yes, and he wants you to keep them at bay and hold some relative talks and possibly trading." Wales concluded his possible mission there.

"He asks you for this and I'm the only one who you can think of your Highness?" Norman wanted to clarify if he is the only one who came up this.

" He asked me of who I know that specializes into this field so I recommended you because your the only person I know who could pull this." Wales answered. Norman just sighs in exasperation.

"Your highness, to tell you frankly I don't know if I can do that. I mean I'm with my father everytime he visits other nations as an envoy but I never been an envoy. I have studied about it before for the preparations in the future if I replace my father but I never had a personal experience on handling it. I only watch him doing that." Norman voiced out his uncertainty for this task.

"But your good at negotiating between our nobles before during Reconquista's uprising. Without you I probably fighting the civil war alone after Cromwell betrayed my father and killed him." Wales replied with positivity to him, trying to lift his confidence up.

"But that's only here, in other nation...I don't know if I can do it." Norman replied back.

"Don't give up my friend I know you can handle this. You already prove it to me once so I know you will." Wales trying to comfort him and it seems that lifted the Count's spirits up a bit.

"For the sake of our love once and the people of this kingdom please you must do this just for them once again." Wales pleaded to him. Norman then remembered something. Ah yes, how could he forget that, the very reason why he's here.

Suddenly the door in the room opens and the man in blue uniform enters.

"Ah, Mr. Stanford your finally here." Wales greeted the commander first.

"Your Highness your here. Thank you for accompanying the guest for a bit here." Stanford greeted back.

"Count Norman my friend I'll be going now." The prince bid his leave to his acquaintance.

"Yes, see you later your Highness!" Norman politely gestured a bow and the prince nodded back before he approach Stanford.

"He's just a bit anxious about this but I trust him that he could do this mission you will give to him." Wales said to Stanford and he acknowledged it. Well who would not be anxious after he was sent into an alien like place that will make him feels like he was in another world. If that's the case then he's not wrong about this place being in another world.

"I understand, I will give him one more push of confidence then." Stanford replied in understanding and Wales just smiles on it.

"Then I will leave it to you." The prince then proceeds to the exit and closes the door. The commander then switch his attention at the guest.

"Count Norman Alford it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Stanford greeted as he stretch his hand for a handshake.

"A pleasure to meet you also sir Stanford." Norman accepted the handshake and then both of them proceed to their seats.

"So Count Alford, it seems you understand why your are for." Stanford started the topic.

"Yes and I'm fully aware of it's importance." Norman replied with a firm voice. Stanford see this and it seems like Wales was successful for encouraging him.

"Now then...are you up for the task?" Stanford asked as he leans a bit closer to him. Wanting to see if he is ready. Norman closes his eyes and remembered his goals of joining this rebellion.

"Yes, I will do it!" The young Count replied with determination. He's already here so there is no turning back.

Stanford just let out a smile of satisfaction from the reply that contains steeled resolve.

(Tristain Royal Palace, Tristainia)

Inside the palace at the meeting room, Queen Henrietta along with her loyal subjects, her personal guard Agnes standing beside her, military officials minus her familiar because of some important matters are discussing about the situation regarding the possible involvement of Gallia in this recent arrests of spies and traitors within their kingdom. It is quite worrying that Gallia is planning to overwhelm this kingdom and control it behind the shadows until in the end a possible annexation if this snakes didn't exposed. Not only Gallia but there is also a radical faction Reconquista who is now in control of the floating island nation from the west also desired a piece of this land.

"Your majesty what are we gonna do if proven that Gallia is also behind this?! We cannot afford to antagonize such powerful nation in our current state! We might be crush like ants if Gallia becomes hostile." General de Pointers express his concern. Henrietta could not blame him if he was uncomfortable with regards to this issue their facing. Gallia is the second world power in this continent and has the most vast territory compared to Germania. Although Germania has a slight strong military prowess Gallia still competes them in strength. A nation like Tristain is a mole comparable to this mighty giant and if a war broke out between them it would be a tantamount suicide for the Tristainians and they can only rely on Germania for protection if that happens.

"I understand your concerns General de Pointers but this is only an assumption. Although according to the reports, Gallia has a role in all this problems with been facing so far. If proven, we will not release this to the public and keep it as confidential to not provoke the Gallians." Henrietta replied, this is the only way they have so far. The involvement of Gallians will be kept a secret to not incite an international crisis. Zaric advice her to stay low for a while until they ready and wait for everything to go in order. They have to put the pieces in the right place before they make their move but now is not the right time.

"Your majesty I think we should strengthen our relations to the Germanians for a defense treaty. They are the only safe haven we have in this kind of situation we are in." General Calincourt suggested.

"And what, make our majesty as a bargaining chip?!" Cardinal Mazarin snapped out from his suggestion. He knows very well that the Germanian emperor only wants in exchange is his marriage for the queen if the negotiations between them resumes.

"I'm only suggesting a solution for the survivability of our kingdom if Gallia turns out to be hostile! There is in no way we survive the Gallian onslaught unless we take help of another strong nation!" The general insist his suggestion that it was for the good of the Tristainians. It will be very bad if Gallia is really their enemy. There's no way they can defend themselves against the might of the Gallian army. Tristainian army are very few in numbers and totally underequipped. The only advantage they have is the big number of their mages but still not comparable enough against an army numbering in hundred thousands.

"And most of all, it is her duty to ensure the safety of the kingdom no matter what is it not?" General Calincourt concluded. The cardinal was furious about it. How easy for this scoundrel to give his queen to those barbarians. He then and turns to Henrietta to plead to not agree.

"Your majesty, your not going to agree to his suggestion do you?! I know we don't have other options but you don't have to turn yourself on those barbarians!" The cardinal hoped that the queen will not agree to this even though they are short of choices.

"Worry not, I'm not going to agree with a defense pact with a demand like that." Henrietta's reply release the uneasiness of the cardinal advisor.

"But your majesty the Gallian threat-" The general is about to retort but Henrietta cut him off.

"General my decision is final and I won't change it." Henrietta finalized, seeing that it's futile to argue the general choose to back off.

"Then how about the royalists in Albion?" General Pointers suddenly said which gains the attention of the people present.

"We cannot rely on that since they're still an enigma. There is no assurance whether they really are the royalists and even it is, they are still in the civil war against reconquista and had in no way they could lend a hand on us." General Gramont said his views about the uselessness of alliance between them and the royalists faction in Albion. They have a little to no information about the credibility of the said faction and even if they are the real deal they still can't help them because of their ongoing fight against Cromwell and his cronies.

Speaking of the devil, the letter from Albion arrives in time carried by the palace aide as he barge in at the meeting with urgency.

"Please excuse me for interrupting this meeting but I have an important message sent by the royalists in Albion!" The aide bowed in apology while stating his report.

"From Albion?" Duke Valliere said in wonder.

"Yes, they sent a reply for our request negotiation with them and here it is." The aide said and presented the letter contains the reply.

"Give it to me." Henrietta orders him to hand over the letter.

"Yes." The aide then gives the letter to Henrietta and the queen opens it and read the contents. A moment of silence occurs before Henrietta finally speaks after she finishes reading the letter.

"My trusted subjects, it seems that we have to prepare for the arrival of our guests. They agreed on the negotiation and send an envoy to us for the talks." Henrietta said looking at them who garnered different reactions from the news.

"It is your majesty?" The Duke of Valliere was a bit confuse by it.

"Your majesty we do not know if this envoy is an assassin or not and one of the plot perpetrated by those reconquista scums. How can we trust this envoy they will send? General Gramont still didn't believe the authenticity of this so-called royalists voiced out his doubt about this envoy.

"Don't worry about the credibility about the envoy General Gramont because the one they send was a person in Albion whose family is very well known to it's loyalty only to the royal family." Henrietta said while looking the letter contains the name of the envoy especially it's last name.

Alford.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Chapter 3 of my Infinite Stratos story just released long ago so if anyone doesn't know that check it out. I replaced it with a new chapter, I hope you enjoy it.

Enjoy this extra for today!

EXTRAS:

(Soviet Central Command Base, Tristain)

Another day for another hard task for this newbies in training.

"AIM DOWN YOUR SIGHTS AND SHOOT WELL, YOUR WASTING YOUR ROUNDS AND YOU MORONS DIDN'T EVEN HIT THE SPOT!" A Soviet instructor yelled at the group of trainees while giving their best at shooting their targets. These poor trainees are the ones of those have been recruited by the commander in going their ranks among the Red army. Currently, they had a hard time of shooting in range targets due to the recoil of the firearm they use. This is the first time they would such a musket that could fire multiple times in a long amount of time without needing to reload. A convenient weapon that could take down a dozen of enemies in just one round! How could they dare to miss such an opportunity to use it first hand!

"Ugh, this is hard than I thought. I can't aim well everytime it's spew out bullets. It feels like a fish who wants to escape my grasp!" A trainee commented while trying to focus his aim at the target dummy which is 50 meters afar. Not only him but also his fellow colleagues has the difficulties as him.

"BLYAT, WHAT'S WITH THIS SLOPPY AIM?! YOU ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN HIT A TARGET WITHIN HALF RANGE!" This instructor who always keeps shouting mockery at them really getting to their nerves now. Instead of encouragement he spat some insulting words towards them. Ever since they entered this base they all bewildered from the sight of this foreign constructs around them as if they entered another world. A once in a lifetime experience yet they not here to enjoy but to train as a battle abled combatant and part of the goddesses army. Many of them had swayed to enlist in her ranks because of her almost unparalleled appearance that could put any noble ladies to shame and compete even her majesty in beauty. But never thought there training would be harsh and brutal.

"LOOK AT THOSE WOMEN IN THE OTHER SIDE. THEY PUT A PROMISING RESULTS THAN ANY OF YOU!" The trainees looks at the other side of the shooting range and saw a group of musketeer corps under her majesty shooting their targets using the same AK-47 they also wielding hitting their marks.

"ARE YOU WILLING TO BE BEATEN BY THEM?!" They felt a pang that smash their as a man with those words.

"AS A MAN YOU SHOULD SHOW YOUR DOMINANCE AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU CAN ALSO DONE THE JOB WELL DONE! SO DON'T SLACK OFF AND SHOW THEM THAT MEN ARE SHOULD BE THE ONE PROTECTING WOMEN, NOT YOU AT THE BACK OF THEM!" Finally, some boost up words from him. With what the performance the musketeers showed to them, they vowed to surpass it and make their pride as men put their determination to double their efforts.

"Heh, good idea that we put them at the same time huh. Using the musketeer women to inspire theses hatchlings. Opposite gender really attracts each other." The instructor commented in amusement. The general's orders are clear, they must mold this men into an organized army in order to prepare for the possible threats that will stand in their way in the future.

Better to be prepare than sorry.

No Zaric and Saito POV this time, I just wanna focus more on Allies POV since they are the main focus of this arc for now but worry not because in the next one they will have some screentime because of the visit.

Guys don't forget to comment! Thank for still reading this fanfic!

See ya all in the next chapter!

Next chapter: The Envoy