??? POV...
[RINGING!!!]
[Click.]
...
As I woke up and looked at the window of my apartment to my left... It's a typical city landscape. Along with the Flag of my Country. Ziev.
It's a Dark Blue Flag, with a Black Cross a bit to the left and an Eight Star, which symbolizes the nature of our Highly Technocratic Nation.
On to our Eastern Borders, is the Demon Realm, getting closer to our territory as I'm seeing the Villages, either running to the deeper into parts of the Order's Territory. And they're getting closer and closer... thankfully, there's a natural border consisting of Arid Mountains that can block their path. But I doubt it'll help in the future.
To our Western Borders, is the Order. There's mostly a flat land, they could only provide grazing for their cattle. And we don't see any towns or cities from here. Except a week ride to Lescatie, if on horseback. A Chinook would arrive there in a few hours.
Despite of which, I've finish brushing my teeth, got on my Task Force's Uniform. And went down.
...
Oh yeah, forgot to introduce myself...
I'm Kevin. Kevin Lee. A Zievian Lieutenant, of the Strategic Response Division, a Special Forces of the Ziev Military. Also, I'm of Zipangu descent. My mother is a Zipangu Born Human. While my father was born here. And finally... I'm a man, who's at his mid 20s. Well, you can tell why I'm living alone in my own Small Apartment, despite my very high wages.
Ahem... Alright, enough about myself...
...
After I've left my apartment, via the elevator and then left the entrance door, I've saw Military Parade.
It looks like it's the 100th Years Anniversary of the Technocratic Republic of Zion. As there's also flags of our great nation and the signs...
[100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR GREAT NATION!]
[FORGET NOT THE SACRIFICES OF OUR FOREFATHERS!]
[FORGET NOT THE FUTURE THAT OUR GREAT NATION WILL BE!!!]
[OUR FUTURE LIFE IN SPACE WILL SET US FREE FROM THIS WORLD!!!]
[DUTY! VALOR! COURAGE! FATHERLAND!]
[LONG LIVE THE TECHNOCRATIC FEDERATION OF ZIEV!!!]
[LONG LIVE OUR TECHNOCRATIC FATHERLAND!!!]
And of course, I'm also seeing people waving the flags of our nation. My heart felt warm as they are doing this, Men, Women, and Children, all waving the flag of our Nation. As the music of our Military Musicians.
{UNATCO Orchestra, Deus Ex}
"Long live our Glorious Fatherland!!!" An Adult Man yelled.
"May our country live a million years!" A Teenage Girl cheered.
"For Zion and our Glorious Fatherland!" A Young Man, around 12 Years Old cheered.
"May our new home be in Space!" The Industrialists and Scientists cheered.
I could only chuckle as many are showing their pride for our great country. As I continued to the Barracks, on a private four seated car with my General.
"So, The Dark Elves Slavers have kidnapped a few more within our territory?" She asked me.
"Yes, Ma'am General. But my Squad has successfully intercepted them and eliminated them." I replied. "Some of them escaped, but all of our Captured Civilians are safe. I'll make sure they won't return back to their mothers. Alive."
Her cold and expressionless attitude changed to a slight smile and said, "Good... Good..." She then looked at me. "You're more ruthless than I thought you were... I like that. Especially, your cruelty towards the Dark Elves."
"I don't like sadists like them. And I've heard you've voted for the Militarists. It suits you." I replied to her comments on me.
"Well, you voted for the Industrialists. So it's fair." She returned the favor. "Plus, didn't there was a uprising by those Order's Firebrands because a simple confrontation of the Scientists and the Firebrands, yet you came to save me and others who're also Militarists?"
"You're my Commanding Officer. That's why. Plus, they're also Zievians. I won't let any of our countrymen get killed by those Zealots." I replied. Since she's my General, I have to save her... Despite she can be brazen. Including other Militarists.
The Militarists have the Military in their hands, but the SRD and the Militia are both Government' Paramilitaries. Checks and balances.
She giggled and said... "Good boy.~ That's what I like about you.~" While caressing my head. And got quite close to me.
"Ma'am General. While I appreciate your affection, do remember this relationship is highly unorthodox and a potential stain to your reputation." While still with a cold tone and expression.
She lets go and pouts. "You're so cold..."
I just rolled my eyes, and looked outside of the Volskvelgen. The Driver stopped as the traffic Police stopped the cab. As the Cargo Trucks of the 1st Infantry Division, are being remobilized to reinforce the border of the Eastern Borders. Along with many of our villages being attacked within our territory...
And that was when we were building a wall...
"Eastern Borders' problem with the Demon Realms?" She told the Driver.
"Yes, General. Lieutenant Kevin's reports was true, as expected of the Only Marksman of the SRD." The Driver replied.
And my Commanding Officer, give a sly look at me, as her right arm are now at my shoulders. While the driver just chuckles to himself. "You're becoming a big hero, Kevin."
"Just doing my Patriotic duty." I simply replied.
I continued to look at the outside... And caught a glimpse of someone at the sky.
A Woman in an Knight Armor with white wings, and she's looking at me. With a mysterious smile...
After crossing the bridge, she was gone...
"Something wrong?" General tapped my left shoulder.
I then looked at her, for a few seconds... And just replied with...
"Must be the wind..."
Yeah... Maybe I'm just seeing things...
But... Was that a Valkyrie of that Chief God? Why does she looks familiar...?
Valkyrie's Scouting Camp, Order-Zievian Border Territory.
She's was looking at the 1st Lieutenant of the Strategic Response Division. She took a liking of the Dutiful Agent. Even better, he was the one who saved her from becoming a Dark Valkyrie.
In her eyes, this man was a possibility of convincing the Nation of Zion back to the hand of the Chief God. Despite his iron loyalty to the Independent Nation, that's also Inimical to both the Order or even the Demon Realm.
Thankfully for her, the Chief God allowed her to return them back to The Order's Embrace. Despite the Founding Fathers' actions for independence and their own future, turning true.
And she knows that it'll be a uphill battle, as the Firebrand has made this even worse. Thanks to Father Tatum's and his band of fanatics, combined with some Inquisition Agents attacking all because their lack of faith in the Chief God, a few weeks ago...
Regardless, she knows it won't be a battle of strength to win Ziev... But a Battle of Hearts and Minds. As the Zievians won't take kindly of having their rights taken away. Much less, being attacked by any invading force, Order or Demon Realm, they're enemies in their eyes.
They just need to do it, without shedding any of their blood or even betraying them. Lest she wish to see her little angel, harmed, killed or worse... taken by the Royal Makai.
After she finished her recon mission, she have told her Cupid and Houri friend.
"So. That means both the Order and Demon Realm will be eyeing on Ziev, huh?" The Cupid told her.
"Mhm. Even though, Father Tatum and his band of Fanatics only made them more loyal to their Country... We still have a chance to convince them to side with us."
...
"Say... You're eyeing that SRD Agent boy, right?~" The Houri noticed that I've been watching him for quite a while... And I slightly blushed and...
"I-Indeed... It's... Something about him have me thinking about him. And currently, I wanted him to stay with me with the Chief God's Blessing..."
Both of them giggled.
"You'll need to win his trust, after all.~" Both the Cupid and Houri said in unison...
While they can both be very distasteful of their jokes... They're not wrong. Not just him, but the all of the citizens of Ziev...
"Regardless, let's bring Ziev back to the warm embrace of the Chief God. Not with blades, but with kindness!" The Angel, with her optimism. I just headpat her as she's often like that.
I then turned back to the city, and with a smile, as I've started to think about him again...
"Don't worry, my little angel... I will protect you and your people... In the name of the Chief God."
Royal Makai's Base Camp, 1st Assault Division, Near Order's Border.
Druella was also interested with the 1st Lieutenant of the SRD. Likely after his Squad, despite fewer than her 4th Company was able to wipe the floor against them.
Despite it'll take time to recover and recruit the lost troops, she remembers the time...
He's the first male to defeat a daughter of the Royal Makai. With nothing more of two Handaxes, Ziev Military Industry's Ralil ACE with only one magazine left, and a Prototype Rail Sniper Rifle with no bullets left...
And yet for the first time, she was beaten by the Zipangu/Zievian Agent. Which she and her 4th Company was able to learn something about the Federation of Ziev.
None of the Citizens have Mana, which is a strange thing. How did they managed to survive without any mana? She tried to send her Agents, and none of them have come back alive...
Which means, their Demonic Energy that worked on the Order Boys, did nothing to Kevin's Squad that've wiped the floor. Their main advantages were useless against any Soldier of Ziev. Not even a Militia.
Despite the Cultural Differences and Different Training Standards of the Zion's Village Militiamen, Regular Army and the SRD... They still work together, and sometimes seen eating and drinking together, without any regard of who's their Brother or Sister in Arms.
Regardless, she'll turn the entire Nation of Zion into a nation full of Incubus and Mamono, even if she has to attempt to put the Mana back into them, whether they like it or not.
But for now, Lescatie will be the first place to attack, then Zion.
"It appears the Gods are not only having their eyes on Lescatie, but also the Federation of Ziev." A Banshee, as she's now interested to hear the Goddess of Death's sudden interest of the Independent Nation, that lasted a Century.
"I've heard that they choose their own path and prospered... I'm surprised that it did." The Elder Vampire, of the 1st Company is looking at their very tall building in construction.
"Although, I'm afraid only one of our Scouts come back alive. And the Militia was much better than a Regular Guard of the Order..." An Elder Demon, of the 4th Company. As her pride felt a bit tarnished.
Durella then cleared her throat and then said to her comrades.
"Despite the initial scouting has been a complete disaster, as their Militia was as skilled as their Regular Infantry... It has also shared me someone... Who I wanted so much.~"
"Indeed it is.~" Kuroferuru grin went wide, as she held out her well trimmed fur.
As out of the Black Void that she sits on, the Kuroferuru's Baphomet took out a parchment. "A Worthy Prey for those whose willing to seek him out.~"
It was a sketching of a face of the Ziev's SRD Agent, who've defeated Druella. Senior Lieutenant Kevin Lee, himself. A Cold Expression, along with his Military Green Beret, with a Knight's Cross, that also have Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. It showed them, that he's an Elite of the Elite of the SRD.
Female General of the said SRD, well known as the General's Pet, despite Kevin's view on her was strictly a superior-subordinate relationship. As in his eyes, she's his superior and he's her subordinate.
"My... Oh my...~ Such a cold look.~ It's making me wet.~" The Elder Vampire as she started to panting aggressively...
Including a Hellhound as she was getting more horny by just looking at his expression, of the sketch of the Agent himself.
"Should anyone bring this Disobedient and Manaless Agent to me... They'll be rewarded greatly for their efforts.~"
They all kneeled towards her, they're willing to be rewarded regardless of the situation they are about to face...
"When I finally get you... We're going to have a lot of fun... Including my mother and sister...~"
Ziev's House of Congress.
There has been talks about Remilitarizing the Ziev's Military Forces. As the situation is now, not of the Order's Fanatics making them to return to their territories, but the Demon Realm getting too close and aggressive as their Extremists are getting more bold on their own way...
The proposal for Remilitarization was the Leader of the Militarist Party, Karina Irmengard, who's also the General of the Strategic Response Division. Hence Kevin was here as her Bodyguard. Albeit, temporarily.
"These are the reasons why, the revitalization of the Military Industrial Complex is a must in order to prevent them from snatching our citizens like it's their Mating Season Frenzy!" She speaks to the rest of the Congress.
"I agree with Karina! Not only we'll be able to revitalize our military, but also improve our Militia's ability to defend and repel anyone who dares to invade us! Including improving their Technological Capabilities!" Aiden Haywood, Leader of the Industrialists Party.
"While this Nation has no longer followed the Chief God's following, its nigh time that we have to prepare ourselves for war. And our Forefathers' Holy Soldiers will need everything to win this war!" Pope Otto Lampercht, Leader of the Religious Party, Somewhat Pro-Chief God.
While the Majority of the Industrialists and Religious Political Parties agreed to her plans to Remilitarize their Nation to prevent any potential invasion by the Extremists of the Mamonos and the Order... Despite Pope Otto's belief that the Order were simply unaware of him and his party...
The Pacifist Party strongly opposed it, as they feared it can be used against their own people or even invade the nations have haven't done anything.
"And what of the SRD and the Military!? Didn't you know that we're surrounded by two sides!? I have proposed a peace treaty with the Demon Realm, thanks to the Current Demon Lord being more of a lover than a killer! And the Congress denied it!" Yume Shirai, Leader of the Pacifists Party, Pro-Mamono.
The Ecologist Party worried of the possibility of extreme industrialization could cause a sharp rise on preventable diseases on their citizens' lungs, along with the environmental effects on their own nation.
"The Industrialists have done a great job in bringing Zion into a Nation of Technology and Innovation... But the Environment that our Grandparents have used to see, now replaced with Factories, along with more preventable deaths from being caused, hence our artificial smogs... How are we supposed to show the pride of our nation and ancestors, when we have stopped caring about the land they've fought and helped us win our independence?" Mathias Jean-Baptiste, Leader of the Ecologists Party.
The Scientist Party mostly abstained, but a small number joined the opposition of the Remilitarization.
"How can we learn them, if you just blow them to pieces? Didn't you heard the idiom of, 'Know your enemy'? And I'm surprised how the Religious are still active... Despite the Order's Zealots causing problems, like a few weeks ago." Nili Scharnhorst, Leader of the Scientist Party, she simply just didn't like the Religious Party's Strong Devotion to the Chief God, when her Party won in 2/3rd's of the Century on the Government's Congress.
And many of the Independents in the Senate, are still divided, either to Support their Military Remilitarization or try to side with the Order or the Mamono, or simply oppose, and do nothing.
And after hours of debate on the Remilitarization... And some arguments, and alternatives were proposed... The proposal for Remilitarization, was approved by a pull of a hair.
Kevin has now left the Congress, as his General went back to her office... Kevin looked at the sky, as the sun as risen almost to the middle of the sky. He checked his watch.
09:50. He wake up was around 6 AM, and he arrived at the congress, at 7:10... No wonder... It was exhausting to hear politic.
In the past, Ziev has been an Isolationist Nation...
Now, it's time they get ready to take the fight to their own hands.
"After all... Our Glorious Fatherland will last forever, Right?" Kevin muttered.
{Cue the Shadow on the Sun, Audioslave.}
Once upon a time... I was off the mind... To lay your burden down...
*A Picture of Kevin and his Squad in a Helicopter, can be seen on the SRD General's Desk.*
And leave you were it stood... You believe it could... You'd seen it done before...
*Another Picture, shows a Zievian Soldier, sharing a last smoke with an Incubus. Before the Incubus died of gun wounds, never to see his Mamono Waifu again.*
I could read your thoughts... And tell you what you saw... And never say a word...
*A Photo of Muscle Bound Naval Admiral, tossing Mamonos and Order Extremists to the seas, as his subordinates cheers.*
But now all that is gone... Over with and done... Never to return...
*A Picture of a Zievian's Atheistic League, trading blows against the Order Fanatics. As the sight of the Zievian Riot Police are trying to stop both sides.*
And I can tell you why... People die alone... I can tell you I'm... A shadow on the sun...!
*Then a Battle Between the SRD, led by Kevin. Against a Mamonos 10th Rifle Company, led by a Zipangu Warlord, a Lilim and the Warlord's Ochimusha, as they attempted to turn a small Neutral City State, into a Demon Realm, as the SRD plans to foil it.*
*Another, an Order Inquisition 7th Cavalry Division consisting of Armed Firebrands, Inquisitors and a Few Heroes. Facing off against the 3rd Mechanized Division of the Zievian's Federal Army. Defending their territory against a Well Organized Order Forces.*
Then showed the Capital City of Ziev, Zlukland. The Order's Capital City, Andogow. And, the Royal Makai of the Demon Realm's Capital City... On a World Map.
Only the Gods will decide... Or in Zievians case, their fate.