Holy Mirishial Empire, Runepolis, Palace of Albion.

Runepolis is the capital of the Holy Mirishial Empire, the most powerful superpower in the world, with towering rectangular crystal buildings that stretched towards the sky, almost touching the clouds.

In the streets, a large number of people emerged from their homes dressed in formal white or black attire, all walking with their backs straight and looking forward at all times as they made their way to their jobs. Whenever the traffic signal emitted a yellow or white light, everyone stood still, regardless of whether a vehicle powered by liquefied magical gem fuel was nearby; they had to wait in silence.

None of the people walking on the street actually walked; they simply stared ahead like automatons. The only sounds in the city were the sounds of cars, the footsteps of pedestrians, and the news broadcast using the same crystal surfaces of the building.

"Our holy empire has discovered a new artifact from the Ravernal Empire. With this new discovery, we are one step closer to being prepared for the day of judgment. May the emperor, in his holy glory, protect us all, the mortal sinners, for we are not worthy of his mercy." Said the panelist on the program with a voice that conveyed no emotion. She wore a white Venetian mask that covered her face completely, ensuring that no one could see her expression.

"If we want to survive the great tribulation, obeying the commands of our most holy emperor is our duty. Working tirelessly is what he orders so that the nation chosen by Him may defeat its enemies."

"No sacrifice is too much or enough for our survival. A bright future awaits those who strive for the good of all."

"No life without purpose. Abandoning your duties assigned by the very God-Emperor, our maker, is sacrilege that will be harshly punished."

"Anything that is a distraction from our labor for survival is a sin, just as anything that divides our loyalty to our most holy emperor, our father."

"Relationships are distractions from our work."

"Attempting to leave the Sacred Empire is the greatest betrayal. All those who reject the kindness and responsibility bestowed by the emperor are traitors."

"May the great Mirishial save the world from the wrath of winged demons, for no one else can."

"Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas."

"Igne Natura Renovatur Integra."

That is the message the panelist repeated when there was no news to broadcast. While this was happening, officers of the Citizen Security Service were watching the inhabitants go to their workplaces attentively.

In the midst of the city stood an enormous palace where the Emperor and other important figures of the empire were in a meeting.

All present wore white masks, concealing their faces, seated on either side of a wide marble table. At the front sat Emperor Mirishial, seated on his throne, an Elder Elf with a very advanced age, long white hair, and a beard that reached his stomach.

"Everything indicates that the continent of Philiades is about to ignite in the flames of war. The Demon King in the north and the war brewing in Parlpadia in the south." Said Lydolka from the intelligence department.

"However, we still don't know if Mu is going to directly interfere; if that's the case, a great war will engulf the world, and we'll be one step closer to destruction." Despite the country's isolationism, Minister Perclas of the Department of Foreign Relations, his associates, and the intelligence service were well aware of what was happening in the world.

"In that case, we should intervene to prevent other powers from interfering." Said Arneus, head of the intelligence department.

"I'm not sure, those Argentinians and Falklanders seem to have more potential than Parlpadia and could prove more useful than the Parlpadians in our plans," said the head of the Inteligence Administration of National Defense, a department responsible for using information provided by the Department of Intelligence to formulate military strategies and plans.

"Breaking the status quo in that manner will only plunge the world into chaos and make it vulnerable to the great tribulation, causing more harm than good." Said Schmill, head of the National Defense department. "If a nation outside the civilized area can defeat a superpower, there are likely to be fools who think they can do the same with us and try to initiate a conflict."

"However, the day of judgment is drawing nearer every day; we cannot continue with isolationist policies for much longer,. Said Perclas.

"Until the Celestial National Defense Plan is complete, the country should not waste time and resources on other worldly matters. That is the emperor's will." Spoke Brickburn, director of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures against the Ancient Sorcerer Empire. "At the current pace, the project won't be finished until shortly after the next world conference."

"That plan was created without considering that two other countries would be summoned. We must reformulate the plan to include Argentina and the Falklanders in the equation." Said Perclas.

"I agree; they could be crucial elements for our plan, but they could also pose a threat." Responded Schmill.

At that moment, the emperor raised his hand, indicating that he was going to speak, silencing everyone in the meeting.

"The plan will remain the same as we have it." He said with an authoritative voice that conveyed confidence to everyone present. Whether it was some kind of spell or if his voice truly had that effect was something only the emperor knew. "The summoned countries will know what we are up against when the conflict in Philiades reaches its peak."

"Your Majesty... are the demons already about to begin their invasion of the third civilization?" Brickburn couldn't help but shudder a bit, but the emperor's voice calmed the hearts of all.

"A cloud of darkness looms over Philiades, and we must let those summoned see what the return of them means... The pieces on the chessboard have already been placed, and soon the world will tremble once again when we go to war."

With that, the emperor lowered his hand to conclude the meeting.

"Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas." Said those present before leaving the meeting room.

Dragusmakira, Emor.

"Are you sure you want to intervene? If Parlpadia attempts an invasion, we won't be able to provide official support." Said the King of Emor, King Wagdran, who belonged to the dragonkin people. They were two-meter-tall humanoids with scales, red hair, and multiple horns protruding from their heads.

"Those Argentinians found a way to communicate with us, the Wind Dragons, shortly after establishing relations. The only ones who can do that are the psychics and the dragonkin people." Said Aquidah, representing the Gahara triarchy, communicating through projection magic. "The Argentinians are quite interesting, and it's the perfect opportunity for Gahara's project to expand."

"Do you still want to be worshipped as gods? The Dragon God fell while facing Ravernal; don't waste your time trying to imitate that elf in Runepolis trying to convince them that you're gods."

"The council has already decided to proceed with the plan. The presence of Wind Dragons is limited only to Emor and Gahara, giving us the opportunity to expand our hunting territories without risking being shot down by the increasingly advanced anti-aircraft defenses in the central world and the second civilization. We have seen how effective the Argentine anti-air defenses are, and it's preferable to let us fly in their skies." Replied Aquidah.

"I understand that, but not the part about wanting to become gods, as you did with the humans in Gahara."

Aquidah sighed before continuing. "First, Argentina's anti-air strength, then Gra Valkas' Atlastar, the Grameus demons, and those Mu psychopaths trying to hunt us for dissection using their private 'whaling' companies made us realize that Gahara won't hold up well on a large scale, and Emor are too far away to help us."

"Let me guess, you're trying to impress the Argentinians in Parlpadia, start talking about how dragons are a divine race, and that way, Argentina and its potential will be under dragonkind control. What makes you think that plan will work?" Asked King Wagdran.

"In the same way they can detect our language through that device called radio, we were also able to decipher how to detect and hear their electromagnetic waves. We have a special diplomatic envoy in Argentina who can hear everything... from their radio signals to television. Normally, we couldn't detect signals over a few kilometers, but thanks to the fact that the entire country has metal towers capable of amplifying those waves to reach the entire country, we can know what's happening in Argentina at all times."

"Go on..." the King now seemed interested in what Aquidah had to say.

"We've discovered that the Argentine people are still confused; they are in a religious crisis, and while in Rodenius Catholicism is thriving, in Argentina the religion of their old world is declining. This, along with political instability and distrust in the ruling elite from before the transfer, has led Gahara's council to believe that the Argentine population is open to new ideas, making it fertile ground for a new religion that provides them with purpose and a path to follow. The Argentine president himself seemed to try it, but the low popularity of his government and the Catholicism he clung to for that peculiar speech will prevent him from instilling that sense of purpose in the population beyond a few."

"But the continent of Rodenius has more contact with them; they would have a greater advantage over us," The King questioned.

"The continent of Rodenius hasn't put up any resistance against Argentine religion due to syncretism and decentralization. To influence Argentina we must create a clear doctrine, with hierarchy and values that are not discordant with Argentine values."

"And I suppose Emor is necessary for that hierarchy to exist in the first place, right?"

"Exactly, in the old world of the Argentinians, the head of the Catholic religion had the title of Pope, responsible for administering the Faith from Rome, a city that wasn't transferred with the Argentinians... Now, if our equivalent to the Pope were the king of a world superpower..."

"And if Argentina adopts that religion, it means that I, Wagdram, King of the superpower Emor, would gain significant influence over Argentina."

"And thus, preventing Argentina from sharing that anti-air technology that would endanger our people."

"... Alright, I'll go along with Gahara's council plan. You can tell the rest of the council that Emor will support their plan... However, there may be something that could be a problem."

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"That Parlpadian prince who studied in Torquia became friends with a Wind Dragon and now rides it. It's likely they'll have to face him." Said the King.

"Hmm... it might indeed be a problem if he fights against the Argentinians."

Quila, YPF Territories.

"Come on! We need to be ready for when they call us!" Said a half-bull demi-human who was talking to a blacksmith about sharpening his battle axe.

"I'm trying, but I've received so many orders for weapons and armor that I can't keep up with all of them. I've even been asked to make muskets!" said the elven blacksmith as he watched his daughter prepare to clean up the mess that so many people would leave in their shop.

Upon hearing the news that Argentina might go to war with Parlpadia, a large number of people on the Rodenius continent, especially in Quila, were preparing weapons and other items to take with them when their feudal lords (the YPF business owners and shareholders) decided to call them up for service against Parlpadia.

"I paid you in advance to prioritize my stuff!" Said a man with bat-like wings.

"But I was the first one here! You have to sharpen my halberd now!"

The crowd of people gathered outside the forges and armories. Many of them had skipped work to see if they could get their equipment before the rest.

"Alright, what the hell are you all doing here? You're supposed to be working," said the company's human resources supervisor, noticing that all these people had skipped work.

"Oh, my lord, I appreciate you coming," the blacksmith addressed the HR personnel as if he were a noble. "Could you please tell us when the levies will be called? I'm not sure I can finish all this on my own in time; if the date is near, we need more blacksmiths."

"Levies? What are you talking about?" the Argentine asked, making a pinched finger gesture with his hand.

"You know, the mobilization of levies in case of war."

"We're not doing that..." Said the confused supervisor.

"Then are we not going to war against Parlpadia? Although in part it's a relief, I must say I wanted to help bring down those idiots for aiding Louria."

"Oh, we are going to war."

"Huh? Then why not mobilize the levies?" Everyone present was confused.

"We are going to war, not you. Quila is not intervening at the moment."

Although the Argentine high command contemplated the idea of the countries in Rodenius entering the war, the truth was that it wasn't profitable. Being at war with a superpower would undoubtedly lead to mass mobilization in the continent, damaging their countries' economies. At the moment, due to the large protests in Argentina, the economy was once again in a delicate situation, and ruining the economies of their main trading partners would only worsen the situation.

"But sir, we are not subjects of any lord in Quila or His King. Our lords swear allegiance to Argentina, so we are serfs of the Republic." Explain a sheep-like woman.

"Uh, if anyone in Argentina hears you say that YPF has serfs, they will sue us, throw us in jail, and make us leave here, so I don't want to hear you talk about serfdom or vassalage. Is that clear?"

"As you say, my lord" She replied.

"... Anyway, even if you believe you are Argentine citizens, you must first obtain Argentine citizenship and enlist as volunteer soldiers. Military service is not mandatory, so we don't have a levy system. Since there are no levies and you haven't obtained Argentine citizenship, you don't have to worry about going to fight. Now get back to work or I'll have your pay reduced this week."

With this, the crowd was about to disperse, but someone asked a question.

"My lord, how can we get Argentine citizenship?" Asked a young man with canine features who seemed eager to go to war and prove his worth.

"Well, to obtain citizenship, you must be in the country legally for 2 years... And before any of you get excited, No, this place doesn't count as Argentine territory."

This disappointed many, and they could be seen looking dejected.

"That'll make it very difficult to obtain citizenship. Two years in Argentina with no one to help us..." Some were murmuring.

"Is there another way to obtain citizenship, sir?" The young canine asked again.

The HR employee was thinking for a moment. "Well, simply being born in the country or having one of your parents be Argentine can grant you citizenship. If I remember correctly, I think it's possible to obtain citizenship simply by getting married and..." The employee stops before finishing, realizing what he has just done.

"Oh no... What have I done?" He said to himself, but it was too late; everyone present was exchanging glances.

"My lord, if it were possible, I would like to invite you to my home. I plan to have a asado for my daughter's birthday, and I'm sure you'll have a great time." Said the blacksmith, trying to get them to know each other.

"But dad, my birthday is in six months." The girl said confused.

"Shut up, girl." Her father said quietly, without parting his teeth.

It didn't take long for the word to spread about how to obtain Argentine citizenship. All across Rodenius, parents were offering their daughters to any Argentine they met to make it easier for them to obtain nationality.

Louria, Jin Hark.

"It seems that the population is increasingly against Argentina since it was discovered that they did indeed kill the King and from that speech calling us barbarians." Spoke Yamirei, head of the court mages.

"Yes... They were responsible for the national tragedy of losing the Rodenius unification war." Said Maus, somewhat tense. Fortunately, the leaked Argentine reports didn't mention that he had collaborated (involuntarily) with the Argentines in assassinating their king.

"In that case, we should take advantage of the fact that the Argentines are about to go to war with a superpower to rebel against their control over the country." Said the captain of the guard.

"I agree; it's the perfect time to break free from Argentine influence." The head mage spoke in favor of the measure.

"That's out of the question." the Prime Minister objected. "The reason we decided to make peace is because we know perfectly well that Parlpadia cannot win against Argentina, at least not in a naval battle. If we try to rebel, we won't receive help from anyone, and the Argentines will use their iron wyverns and metal ships to destroy our forces."

"However, there is a possibility that Mu will intervene; after all, if Parlpadia falls, then Leifor will be closer to—" The national defense strategist tried to argue but was interrupted by Maus.

"If Mu intervenes, then Leiforia will intervene, and they will hardly be able to help us in any way." The Prime Minister sighed heavily before continuing. "I want to take revenge on Argentina just like all of you, but I've been to Buenos Aires... There's no way we can win unless a superpower of Mu's caliber fully supports us, with no distractions from other fronts."

At this point, everyone present fell silent for a long while until someone dared to speak up.

"So, what do we do?" Asked Muller, captain of the Louria wyvern knights.

"We can't just sit idly by..." Said the national defense strategist. "If we want to have a chance against Argentina in the future, we must learn how they fight without getting ourselves killed in the process... If you're so sure that Parlpadia has no chance, then I propose that we declare war on Parlpadia when the Argentines do and, by the gods I can't believe what I'm about to say, give them command of our troops to learn from their tactics."

"We run the risk of them using our men as cannon fodder," Acknowledged the captain of the guard.

"It's a price we must pay if we want to know how they defeated us in the first place." Yamirei seemed to agree with the proposal.

"Then it's settled," Maus said, starting to laugh softly.

"Mr. Prime Minister?"

"I'm sorry; it's just... One of King Hark's dreams was to face Parlpadia and invade Philiades once the continent was unified and the demi-human threat eliminated... We may have failed His Majesty with continental unification and the purge of the undesirables, but as his subjects, we have an obligation to make his final ambition come true."

Maus was about to adjourn the meeting, but then Mage Yamirei spoke up again.

"Prime Minister, I have something that might interest you. There's a rumor that reached my ears that during the Rodenius War, one of our soldiers was able to withstand a barrage from those invisible projectiles fired by the iron wyverns while protecting his wounded comrade."

"...Is that rumor true?" Maus asked, intrigued.

"According to witnesses, the heavy infantryman's shield was able to withstand the projectiles from those weapons called machine guns while the shields of the others were pierced like papyrus. When we went to see him and requisition his shield, which was a family heirloom, we discovered that the shield was thousands of years old... and it was made from an alloy unknown to us, which makes the shield incredibly resilient and lightweight." Explained the mage.

"A relic from the ancient sorcered empire..."

"Exactly, we're not sure how resistant it is against heavier weapons, but it offers decent protection against lighter ones."

In simpler terms, that shield was able to easily withstand 7.62mm ammunition and resist some rounds of 20mm ammunition before breaking.

"Unfortunately, we have no way to replicate that alloy." Said the mage. "This could have been the advantage we need."

"Still, we can't let the Argentines find out about that alloy." Maus said. "They will undoubtedly try to replicate it on their own and find ways to counter us, which would only widen the already huge gap between us."

And so, the meeting in Louria concluded. Everyone was closely monitoring the situation in Philiades and Argentina, waiting for the formal declaration of war.