Chapter 10

Winter has come in full, so did the Month of December, Climate is a finnicky hard to properly adjust estimated predictions, but having the Day it FFELS like the proper season be so far from the day the season changes is an annoying fact. Walking through the City, traffic has lowered a lot, the reestablished Mage enhanced police being most of it, the Mages being ones too Old to be in the Army, but willing to Volunteer for the job, they would be given a new line of Type 99s, the 101 has enough improvements over the 99 to ensure the Military retains the edge, so supplying Mages that will for the time being help the police in running operations, the GSG was still being purged of magician saboteurs, Sellout agents and more trash, so for the time being, Germania's Elite CT and Special Police Forces will remain frozen, until Mike's Covert research digs out all that needs digging.

Today? KMS Kaiserin has had her event for being once more ready to sail as part of Germania's Navy. Also of surprising notice was that at least two of the under construction Destroyers would be ready by March or April next year, Overall, things are already more or less back to the path to recovery, but now it's the most bothersome part, keeping a damn close eye on all of it so it keeps steady. The Mark has once more become a publicly accepted currency in the country, Bartering and Alt Currencies have gone down, Free Market rules once more have been reestablished, but efforts to restore faith in both the Government's ability to not Fuck things and keep things fair and stable still need working on.

OZEV in general has all but in name become The Empire reborn more than even Post Second Great War, Most members are following Germania's economic structure, plans and Policies (adjusted for the regional necessities of course), the Mark has become the Currency of trade between Members, even Legadonia, Alsace-Lorraine and the Autonomous Kieva Republic (The Last remainder of the Kievan Nation, is in practice a buffer cushion between Pullska and RUSS) Began to use it as a standardized currency.

Just before the harsh Winters fully took effect, all OZEV forces went through some Friendly Military Exercises, and it's as always, Germania and the core OZEV members performed very well, Legadonia and Alsace-Lorraine were the bottom performers in those exercises, Their gear somehow is in really bad state, while it's a list of license built Germanian designs, their Budget must have been in tatters for a long time, Most Soldiers trusted their shovels than the guns, the Supposed Legadonian Winter gear would make a bottom of barrel Russy Federation soldier of the 1930s look like they were in luxury…. Lorraine was expected to not have a superb Army, but Legadonia looks in even worse of a state than during the Great war era.

Then comes the annoyances from outside, First the Oil supply from the Caucasus, an area nowadays firmly under RUSS control, has been getting stingy and pricey, thankfully OZEV nevr truly self harmed itself by deactivating too many Nuclear Reactors, Most were planned RMKB ones to supply the bloc's Nuclear arsenal needs, peacetime meant that a lower number was more favorable, replacing them with the safer Heavy Water moderation Reactor was already to happen, but the Paul governance of the decades post WW3 meant they never happened at the speed needed. Luckily, this was mostly just red taping and Bureaucracy blockading, that self dismantled no soon I took power again.

That would be fine, neither Germania slash OZEV, nor those who long for the Russy Federation days share a good view of each other, and honestly I wouldn't shed a tear if their internal conflict burnt them for good this time. It's when the Albish Sponsor of that PMC, B&C, starts bringing those Sour and Moody Albish husks to also annoy Me and This House in need of repairs. He got really sour knowing Chris has long since gotten out of his reach even if Mike and the Brit's Covert net let his assets move as they wanted here, she's already in Space, as expected, Their presence massively hinders that Sub and crew power deployment range.

So here I am, looking at the map and seeing just how stupid and pride driven those Husks of a Dying Nation, a lethal Blow of their own doing, is making them act so pathetically dumb.

"You sure? A provocation of this level is just that, a staring contest still."

In the Chancellor Office, Mike, Secretary General Karl Romel and Navy Chief Admiral Kohller Braun are sitting in the meeting area of the office. For now, the Pitiful All Bark barely any bite Albish Europan navy, their best remaining Fleet, yet even the Upgraded KMS Kaiserin and its escort Destroyers have a fair chance of sinking them for good with minimal damages. That Joke of a Fleet has been performing exercises way too close to our sole in Operation Fleet, the one and only for now.

"Yes, but their crew training has been lackluster, odds they put a Casus Belli on 'accident' are guaranteed."

Mike reports, shrugging, anyone looking at the situation can see it, IF they indeed cause a reason for our Fleet to strike, Striking or not gives a message. If this was to happen in February, when our Airforce and Army would been properly readjusted to a proper state of readiness, I would just let Military command plan which was better, with Political expertise inputted of course. Now of all things? Germania can bluff by asking ARMS TRIGGER and Stark Wolves to provide some support, but not to the scale most around us would wisely back off, I know very well that the Obvious Francois Ability to take the most Irrational action without remorse, I fucking had to learn the shit way HOW STUPID OZEV's Neighborhood is in general.

"So we wait for the slip…. Then? Holy kaiserin?"

Secretary General Karl Romel, from the Looks, the Romel lineage continued through a distant cousin of the daring Frontline General himself, Like his Great war Predecessor, he has adequate tactical level insight, but also a hardly seen skills as the one in command of all of Germania's forces, Last one to be that good was Lergen, the War Hawk (A minor Spike in output happens at the Memorial Turbine). From the Looks, he knows the situation isn't ideal. I Turn to Mike.

"You still have Aquamarine Company?"

"Of course, That merry Mercenary gang has long since been a proper and law abiding PMC! They can find a way to see an egregious mistake from the Albish sailors cause their own demise."

"So we will wait for them to suffer an 'accident'?"

Kohler Braun, age aside, one of the few Navy men I can say accepts what my aims for our Navy is while also being competent enough to manage things with that. Of course, sending a team to sabotage the Enemy and blame their own ineptude sits wrong with him.

"Just putting it into consideration. Either message will be poisonous to OZEV, to Germania."

The meeting didn't move much aside that idea, but for now, Mike sent an Immediate deployment Order to Aquamarine and Pearl Companies, UDT anti-ship operations, if the Albish had gotten this weak in their pride and jewel of Military power, the Navy, then honestly, Central Europa truly has my Blessings… as much I want to refuse such claims.

"Ugh… that feeling again…"

Since for now, only Kaiserin and Mike are present, I can be open about that.

"My Opinion, the sooner you come to accept you know what, the sooner you will find it stopping."

Mike is as straight and unsubtle as always, when you're handling THE Misunderstanding plagued Genius that is Tanya von Degurechaff, being open, honest and straight as a fucking Laser beam attack spell is your best bet, I admit it.

"Ugh…. Why? What my damaged Soul, My scrambled memories, OUR presence here has to do with that?"

No answer, guess this is something WE OURSELVES have to find. I glance at Kaiserin, she also stays silent. The feeling worsens. Fuck it, call it a day and let US walk around Berun a bit, let some fresh, Cold as fuck Air in OUR lungs.

Walking around this Cold, wearing such a Light winter getup is strange, and it just hammers deeper that WE aren't exactly a truly human existence, when I tried the thicker or heavier Winter Wardrobe, I felt as if I was in an Oven! Ambient Temperature in open air is at an average of 5 Degrees Celsius, yet with just a Military Winter Jacket, pants and these more feminine shoes (Oh woes be US, we got used to the BS so long ago we just shrug at it nowadays), I can walk fine without even needing the Thermal Insulation Spell, Mike just put that I can handle as much Kaiserin can, and she admitted that Sibyrian Winter nights of negative 45 degrees celsius weren't a bother in my current wardrobe I am wearing.

I stop walking, and turn to the Building on my Left, Since I got back, reborn as whatever the fuck I am now, whenever I am not focusing on a specific destination and by myself, I always seem to go to one of the Tanyaism Churches. And today… was just the day I had no fucks to give to this happening again, so I resigned Myself and entered. For a Church with a more Old school Aesthetic, the built-in amenities are all up to modern day standards, yet I can just stay as I am, my body seems to be bothered little by Temperatures that aren't meant to Burn/Vaporize or Freeze to the shattering Point.

"Holy Kaiserin! What do we earned this visit for?"

The sister… Amelia, weird, those Sisters take a serious effort into their Looks, so much even my acute Mage Observer skills wouldn't help distinguishing them, yet one look and somehow I have a clear idea of which Sister of this Religion I am speaking to. Fuck, I shouldn't have come.

"Nothing much, doing something different for a change, the situation has become more stable, so I am not needing to oversight as much. Today seems, quite packed despite the cold."

She Smiles.

"Many here are returning Believers, The economy… before you returned, took their homes, so they for now live here doing community work or Go to work then return."

"I see."

That awful crushing feeling in my Heart fades, replaced by something warm and soothing, the source is obvious, those men, women and children praying, thanking me for saving the Country, their Lives…. Reopening the light for the future….

"I only made one Visit to a Church of… mine…. And it was Brief, would be a problem if you tour me?"

Sister Amelia smile gets brighter, a lot. And for a brief moment I see something, a Pocket watch? Hmmm… Interesting My dear.

"Of course not! It would be a Honor actually. Can we start?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Humbleness was the focus of the Churches of Tanyaism, as strange it seems for US, but well, it was those who admired me that made this religion, not me, I just turned to be who they worship up to this day. Since the size was more or less in a very modest scale, property space wise, the Investment went for Going slightly upwards, but a lot Downwards.

"Quite a well-planned structure."

"It's our pleasure. You always pushed for high quality, standards and quality control after all, it would be unbecoming of us to gimp on such."

Amelia… Amelia… huh? The more I dig of her through the source that gave her name to me, the more amusing she seems. And damn, this church is humble, but the bragging is in how high end the Construction, quality and Layout are altogether. A Three floors above ground, but ten Underground, the floors on the surface are all for the Church itself and the administrative parts, while Underground is where the shelters, Sisters Quarters and other Facilities are. A well designed, to the point structure, yet even if a bit overly pragmatic, I can see the beauty of it.

"And for all Churches, an Area only Your Holy Kaiserin is allowed in."

We end the Tour in front of a Door, a Heavily Armored, Large, Safe Door, looks wise it is close to the One in The Degurechaff estate, where my Partner Orbs were kept. And despite this being my first time seeing this Thick as fuck, Near Unbreachable Safe Door, I know exactly what is inside somehow and the key to open it. Amelia's smiling as always when in my presence.

"I see… if it's not too much for you, can we talk? Nothing church related."

She guides me to the room she shares with another Sister, their quarters are all Bunker beds with each a Desk to write or read and a locker for some of their more private belongings. Guess her Room partner is out on duty, so we both can sit in the Chairs.

"Quite the Military style room you all use."

Starting with some trivial talk, just so things can start.

"It's something the Church strives for, even the higher Positions have rooms like such."

"I see, so Amelia Watson, right? You have any ties to the famous Albish wingman?"

A bit of tension, maybe it's a sensitive topic, after all, the Relationship between those of Imperial descent and Albish is still very bad.

"Somewhat, but not fully."

"Understandable, that's why you keep that Pocket watch with you, right?"

The Smile fades, but it's nothing Hostile, Kaiserin would enter the room if that was the case. Instead, I feel maybe it's Grief? Or Sadness.

"It's… a memento…. Of my biggest failure."

"Go on, I can listen."

"I once had friends, great ones, we had a lot of fun, mischief…. Things you do with true Friends. But it all ended…. With lots of blood and death…. Somehow… only I remained…. Now in this world…"

She was trying to keep it simple, and I sympathize why…. After all…. There's some Dumpster sized piles of things I regret or wish to keep quiet about.

"You would try to fix it if you could?"

"I tried…. Until all that remained was this memento…. The only tool that had a chance."

"A device with foreigner power…. That's your first mistake."

She suddenly lifts her head to look at me, eyes red trying to hold those tears.

"I tend to not tell anyone…. But a lot of me surviving the Great war…. Was relying on an Orb that only didn't kill me because someone Intervened and saved me before. Giving me a properly working Super Orb. The first one almost spelt my doom."

"Really?"

"Yes. So that's my tip for you. If you want to save or protect something, don't become reliant on something imbued with a power you do not control yourself. Carve that path to Save or protect what's dear to you by your own, with what YOU can handle."

"I see…. Thanks…"

"You're welcome. And it also helped me too."

"I-it's my honor! To help the one who helped me twice already."

"I did? When?"

She blushes, geez, you may have Elya sized memorability, but I am not taking waifus yet.

"A long time ago…. During the Terrorist attack in the Francois Football cup. I… had ended lost in this world back then…. You rescued me from the collapsing building I was trapped in."

The memory of it is Hazy, but it fits, WE DID save a woman from a Building hit by one of the CSR Bombs (Or were those some Le Main Bleu? Whatever, Terrorists are like fucking Jimmies, everywhere) when the Football cup was going on there, it matched the moment we had a Formosa Football team made and take part in the event to further discredit the Kang led CSR. Barbaric commies will be Barbaric commies being honest in my Opinion.

"Pay no mind, I just did what one in my capacity should have done."

"I doubt a Leader of THE Most powerful Nation should be putting herself inside a collapsing Building to save a random citizen."

"I doubt there's ever been a Nation Leader who was THE BEST Aerial Mage to be born even to this day and With and actual Exceptional Military track record."

We both share a soft laugh. Odd, I feel so much better now. 95 gives me the time when I asked her mentally, better go back home. Hope Ms. Amelia finds better times, she's so many Talents if my analysis of her is correct. Another day I will check on what is in that Vault. For now, I will take having this good feeling inside me instead of that awful sludge of whatever OUR wounded souls are in need of healing is letting out.

It's already getting dark, Winter sure is a pain in the ass for most people, Lights are on but there's snow, and some haze…. Really? Now of all times? I Quietly run a Quiet Sight Enhancement, not that I need, this body anomalies are a dime and dozen, so me being able to see with no problems even under such Magician caused snow and haze. I just am very used to it, I kept it quiet from Visha and even Elya back then in my actual life in this world, but I never stopped myself from being always sharp in my combat senses. So much even nowadays I put what WE drilled OUR souls to do always when combat readiness is needed.

"Thanks for the Visit Holy Kaiserin, I hop-"

Suddenly a metallic pang and my Active shell flickers, a 7,62mm AP, Tungsten carbide penetrator core no less, just ricocheted off it, the Low Sound report denounces all, Subsonic ammo, a Heavy Duty Middle range Sniper projectile. However it's an Urban area, neither I or kaiserin can just Fire off an offensive spell at the bastard.

Yet my senses urge a dread, above. I look, and are those idiots FUCKING WITH ME? The sight was an Albish 3000Lbs Bomb, a so called BlockBuster bomb used during the Great war on the US Four Engine B-17 Flying Fortress bombers Strategic bombardment campaigns on Cities. The fuckers Flung that from only Mike knows where, at me, and about to Hit the Church. Intercept? And what? Blow half of this block in Germania's Capital?

Yet I felt it, anomalous power right next to me, and Time halted, more accurately it was made to move at a level it may very well BE time stop for the normal had the pocket watch out, I clearly could see her struggle, and the watch gears scream in painful agony, at being made to draw power from its creator way too out of this domain to work. And once I see the Bomb, it was being reversed in its time, from now, to when it was in its disassembled state to be smugled in, to when it was being manufactured, the barrels and explosives… until they became just inert raw materials, harmless sheets of Steel and some Bags of Nitrous Fertilizers.

Kaiserin used the Time stop period to Rush and eliminate the Magicians who almost caused such a disaster in trying to Murder me. While she does that, I focused on the collapsed Sister who just stopped that damned be Bomb. Erratic Breathing, her Heartrate was a mess…. And worst of all she looked like a stale Dried grape.

"You idiot. I told you, to not rely on SUCH POWERS!"

"*Cough* yeah *Cough*, But…. If I didn't…. you would have to reveal yourself too much…"

"For that? Fuck them if they saw what I would do. You still-"

"My friends? They-"

"-Are ALIVE you IDIOT."

Her eyes widen to that, she doesn't believe.

"No, n-no, impossibl-"

"- It's, Weren't your dear Friends things of absurd durability or Eternal perpetuity? They just went their stray ways. You STILL can get to them, but not if you go KILLING yourself for me! I DIED once, no, MORE THAN enough to Drive me to the brink, I WON'T DIE now, not for such pathetic excuses of trash in human skin."

She is Crying.

"But How? I'm about to-"

"- Be saved a damn Third time by me, and if you go pull another such stupid act, I WILL FIND YOU and KICK YOU back to the Living world to drag you to one of the Mages Remedial Training drills. And I will be the Drill sergeant."

I Take her watch, truly Broken, and I feel quite the oddball Narcissistic Time sandwich eater ego from it despite the changes done to it by Amelia herself. I focus, first time I will pull a stunt worth a being of absurd powers, which I am not happy to be. It takes some effort, but gone is that damn presence, now, to replace it….

Once that is done, Kaiserin back, bloody hands, she made a run for Melee clearly. I refocus on this dear Sister, As to not be privacy intruding and because I REALLY dislike that I had to do such type of things, to achieve something I very much wanted. Just know she was saved properly.

"There, saved as I said I would do. Now, just Promise me two things, Sister Amelia."

"Yes? Anything Holy Kaiserin!"

I almost slipped and wasted one to demand she stop with the Holy Kaiserin BS.

"First, Promise you WON'T DIE until you fulfil the other Promise."

She nods.

"Second, Go get your fucking Friends back, if YOU'RE this broken, imagine them? You all may be Living Life, but are you TRULY living it? Likely not, Many in the Broken Imperial Lands were like you and your friends. Go fucking rescue them from themselves."

"I… I WILL! Thank you so much!"

"Good, now go back inside, you will die in this damn cold. Also, Your watch, use it wisely, That alone won't get you to save them."

One set of excessive bows to me later and me and Kaiserin are walking back home.

"You got anything from them?"

She's still wary of the surroundings, Anya and her agents of course mobilized en force to sweep for more bastards, but she wants to make sure herself I am safe.

"Carlisle…. It reeks of him."

"I see…. I will call Mike once we are home."

Once home, I really enjoyed the Bath, Diner and the comfort of the Bed. Fuck you Being X. Haunting this World even after being kicked out. Hope you get hit in the balls.