It had been several days after the Seven Day War had reached its successful conclusion for Stoker as well as Vacuo. The conference had reached a peaceful crescendo with Mistral abolishing slavery and allowing the Faunus to keep the land that Stoker occupied. Vale had proposed that all kingdoms create a Huntsman Academy to create the next defense against the Grimm. Huntsman and Huntresses. Ozma had chosen his castle to act as the academy. Mistral chose to do that as well.
Mantle and Vacou did the same, but for Mantle they would treat their huntsmen as an elite version of their soldiers while for Vacou it would be more of a new subsection of the tribes.
For the kingdom of Stoker, the Huntsman and huntress' still had a debate of how they would be integrated and what role they would play in their society.
However these debates and discussions did not matter to the king, for while he did enjoy the spoils of victory, the fact he let his wife, his queen, the woman for whom brought back his humanity see the side of him he did all he could to not let be seen weighted heavy upon his undead heart.
The very next day, Dracula spent his entire day with Lisa as she slept. As much as he wanted to join the festivities with the rest of his people, she took priority. She always would. He gently held her hand and gently rubbed it.
Soon, Lisa would stir before she slowly opened her eyes. However, she didn't look at her husband and instead looked out the window to the sight of streamers and confetti flying in the air. The sound of marching bands playing the music of a victorious nation, the marching of boots of returning troops to their waiting families and friends.
Lisa was silent for the longest moment before finally she asked, "We won, didn't we?"
He nodded, "We did." He said gently.
"Did you kill any of the leaders?" She asked.
"No. They all still live."
Lisa seemed to squeeze his hand as she asked, "Why." After a moment she followed up, "Why did you try to hide that side of yourself from me?"
Dracula looked down slightly before he spoke, "To know why... You must learn how. How I became a vampire. It was the late 11th century. I was a Templar Knight during the Crusades. My true name was Mathias Cronqvist, and I worked alongside my brother in arms, Leon Belmont."
He took a deep breath as he continued, "I was returning from a victorious campaign, and... I found my first wife dead in a church. Her name was Elizabetha... You look very much like her. The same beautiful sun touched hair. Beautiful eyes that were blue as the ocean. That's why I felt betrayed... Betrayed by God. After all the blood I spilt in his name... He stole away the only person that made all those deaths worth it for..." Dracula released a shuddering breath.
"To the rest of the world, I became bedridden with grief... But in secret. I planned my revenge. If limited life was God's decree, then I would defy it and within that eternity... I would curse him forevermore." He said.
Soon he felt Lisa's other hand touch the hand for which held hers. Looking up, he saw her looking right at his eyes, "Go on. I am here, love."
Dracula took another deep breath. "There is a stone that is precious to vampires. It is known as the Crimson Stone. A bloodstone that can steal the souls of others and provide eternal youth. I had planned on stealing a powerful vampire's soul. But I could not do it on my own, so I... I manipulated Leon to kill him. I spoke to the vampire about him, promising that he would give the bored vampire a true challenge."
He gently squeezed her hands. "The Vampire Lord took his betrothed and the plan was in motion. Leon made quick work of every monster inside of the castle before facing off the Lord. I had no doubt he would finish him off. That's when my servant, Death himself, swopped in and took his soul. It became mine and then... I was no longer human. I became Vlad Dracula Tepes."
Lisa looked at him as she said in a clearly scared voice, "You could not control it. Could you?"
"There were times where... My bloodlust was too much. It was... The side of me that history remembers. The Impaler who sat down and ate his food in front of his victims. Who used blood instead of butter for his bread. Who skinned his victims and boiled them alive. I gave up all of that because it no longer appealed to me. I instead, dedicated myself to science. That's... When you arrived."
Lisa stayed silent, but squeezed his hand as she said, "I became your anchor."
"Yes. You gave me another chance. Even when I did not ask for it. I... I'm never going to get better without you."
Lisa was silent for the longest moment before finally she said the words that would shock her husband to his core, "I want you to turn me."
His eyes widened as he looked at her. "What?" He whispered.
Lisa just gave her husband a kind and warm smile, "While you were busy with the war, I had Ebony unlock my aura. From my time helping the sick and wounded I found out what my powers were. Do you know what my special power is?"
"What is it?" He asked with a hint of intrigue, but he was relatively still shocked.
Lisa soon laid a hand on her husband's face as her hands began to glow, "I can heal the passage of time, I can bring back those who have fallen to illness or death, yet I can't bestow these gifts upon myself." When she finished, her hands stopped glowing and Dracula felt younger, more vigor, even his vitality seemed to have returned.
Dracula breathed heavily before he pressed his hands to his face. His skin felt smoother and less like rough stone. He was shocked as he looked at her. "Lisa..." He whispered.
Lisa smiled, "While I may be able to heal the damages and illness. I shall forever let time take me. Then the day will come when I shall be taken by death."
"And that's why you want me to turn you..." Dracula surmised.
"Not just that, but because I don't want you to be alone. I want to be your anchor forever. I never want you to go through this alone, to never have to rely on that other side of you. So turn me, Vlad." Lisa said before turning her head to show off her neck to him.
Dracula was conflicted. Her being human was what allowed him to be better in the first place. It's why he never turned her or asked her. But he never was sure what to do when she grew old. If he would turn her then, or allow her to pass on. But this... This was a unique situation. But in the end, he made his choice.
He opened his lips to reveal his fangs before he gently bit into her neck and began to drink her blood.
Upon his choice, he would turn the woman he loved into what he was, but thanks to her power she would continue to heal and even keep those who Dracula deemed as worthy alive forever thanks to the Queen's gift. Whose true purpose would be kept a closely guarded secret on the threat of death, for not even banishment was a viable option for when someone had the ability to reverse the effects of aging.
With the reveal of part of her Semblance revealed, Lisa was seen as an angel. A diety from above, sent down to assist the burdens of the wounded and the sick.
In the many months to come, one of the former slaves, a Stone Mason, began the process of creating a giant statue of Lisa, holding a lantern that would light up at night. A beacon of hope to all who seek refuge. Suffice to say, the Queen was a bit embarrassed by this gesture.
However, what touched the Queen's heart was a child, a little cat faunus, who was the child of freed slaves, writing a poem that would be written in the base of the statue and even posted at the immigration posts into the Stoker Kingdom which read:
"A mighty angel with a lantern, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of the freed. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command.
The air-bridged harbor that cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
What many historians will point out when talking about the years following the end of the Seven Day War, is the mass immigration of faunus who would flock to the Stoker Kingdom in search of a new life, work, or just to enjoy the safety and security granted to them as citizens.
Of course, work was not in short supply as Vacou would prove to be a boon for the now booming oil industry thanks to the discovery of the black gold in that desert nation.
Mantle and Mistral would learn about the oil, and Mistral had no care for it while with Mantle, well... In a few years a company would rise from the ashes to build an industry that focused on nothing but Dust.
It wouldn't be until the invention of the automobile that the true potential of the black substance would be realized by out of all people, a young man who was now meeting with the king who was renowned as a scientist.
Standing in the middle in front of Dracula who was sitting on his throne, was a young human of pale complexion holding his hat. "Thank you for meeting me, your Highness. I know you're very busy but I can't thank you enough for giving me this opportunity."
"First tell me your name." Dracula asked as he sat on his throne with a leg over the other. Lisa was beside him on her throne as well.
The man cleared his throat as he said, "Henry, your Highness, Henry Ford." He was clearly embarrassed to forget his name which caused Lisa to smile as she said, "It's alright, Mr. Ford. Meeting heads of state does that to people sometimes."
"Y-Yes. Of course, Your Majesty." Henry attempted to get his breathing under control.
"And what do you have to show us, Mr. Ford?" Dracula asked.
Quickly regaining his composure, he began his pitch, "Yes! Uh well your Highness. Everyone is pushing for Dust as the main source to be used as a means of fuel for the new automobile. However, I've found that if you refine oil just the right way it can be turned into a combustible substance that if used instead of dust is more efficient and opens more opportunities for engine design. Which is why I came to you not as head of state but as a fellow man of innovation and science." He was now fiddling with his hat out of fear that they would laugh at him just as the people of Mantle had done.
One of the main reasons he immigrated to Stoker in the first place was because he had heard that the kingdom was a place of progress.
Dracula and Lisa looked at each other with intrigue before looking back at him, "Can you prove this?" Dracula asked as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.
Henry said with a shocked tone in his voice, "Y-your Highness?"
Henry was silent for a moment before he finally nodded, " YES! I…I mean, yes Your Highness but I don't have the capital at the moment or the foundation to make it happen right away so-"
He didn't finish as the Queen asked with a smile, "Would a state loan help you, Mister Ford?"
His eyes widened before he shouted, "Yes ma'am! A state loan is more than sufficient! And I promise you that you'll be paid back tenfold!" He exclaimed while trying not to burst from excitement in front of the Royal Family.
Dracula chuckled as he shook his head, "We are not Mantle, Mr. Ford. You will be given a small load that you can pay off within a year of your success. Not a gold coin more." Ford, now on the verge of tears, bowed his head as he said to the King and Queen, "Thank you! Thank you! I shall never forget this kindness you have shown me!"
Dracula and Lisa couldn't help but chuckle. That's when Henry stood up straight, "I-I need to get started right away! Uh, permission to leave, Your Highnesses?" He asked to which Dracula nodded. "I wish you luck, Mr. Ford."
Henry quickly walked away before the doors were closed. The couple chuckled more when they heard him laugh and scream with excitement.
"How adorable." Lisa said with a shake of her head.
In the year to come, Henry Ford would build his company out of a small mini factory that had been abandoned due to the lack of gold being found in the area. Within a month, his theory proved true as the first automobile built in Stoker would be presented at the first World Fair. An idea proposed by Adrian as a means to show the wonders of the world. It would be in conjunction with the Vytal Festival that would happen every two years.
The car was simple but true to his word effect and even faster than a Dust driven model and while Mantle would scoff at his designs as a simple fad and 'would never replace Dust' as a source of fuel. Those who had lived and even worked in the factories during the Seven Day War would say otherwise including the King himself.
Over at the World Fair, Ford was showing Dracula the very first model car.
"This is only a concept, your Highness but I can assure you within a year, it will be better." Ford proclaimed to the King who was personally inspecting the gas driven automobile.
"Hmm... What will be changed from this design?" Dracula asked as he inspected the vehicle.
Ford, nervous of flubbing again, cleared his throat as he said, "The frame would be improved for better suspension and the body would be premade so it can be bolted directly to the frame instead of building it on as one piece which will save time and offer options for future design and development." He then went on to the steering stick, "The steering controls will be a wheel instead of a stick and if it proves possible, a better improvement for handling."
Dracula looked at it all before looking at Ford. "How soon can you begin production?" He asked in a curious manner.
Ford, again nervous, almost stumbled upon his words, "As… as s-s…as soon as I can find the workers, the machines needed to make the assembly line and buyers for them, Your Highness."
What he didn't notice was a smile on the King's face as he seemed to cup his chin. "And you said that they could be built to fit the needs of the customers or purpose in your presentation mister ford?" He got a nod from Ford for his answer.
"Hmm... Then I propose I will be your first customer. I want an automobile that simply screams royalty." Dracula said, already having an idea for what he wants.
Ford's eyes were so wide you could have sworn they would pop out of their sockets. He exclaimed, "Of course! I'll make you an excellent automobile! NO! THE BEST! Automobile myself!" With a handshake, Ford would make the King his own personal car to which many historians would point out as the reason why the first year of sales were so good for the Ford company.
With it, came contracts for the military and even the Faunus nation buying the Ford design for not just domestic automobiles but also for military use as well. These military designs would be put to the test in the coming years as the fires of war would be stoked by a nation who would test the resolve of the Faunus and their Vampiric allies.
However, that is a story for another day, for thanks to Ford's designs, the industry boomed in the Stoker Kingdom which would lead to a new innovation from a simple rabbit Faunus who loved to tinker on bicycles.
Over in Dracula's office, he was currently looking through documents and reports for any new sign of war. After all, one can never be too cautious when it comes to the ashes of war. A spark is all it could take to reignite the fire.
He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, he had hoped that the loss that Mistral had suffered would humble them, but no. This was not the case for they had been holding military games near the border of their Faunus allies which had caused the ruling family the Belladonnas great concern but he had reaffirmed that their alliance was ironclad and that if they were attacked then his kingdom would help them.
Of course, this would have been his thoughts had it not been for the sound of shouting outside the castle which caused him to raise an eyebrow. Standing from his desk, he looked out of his office window to a rather interesting sight. A police officer yelling at a faunus with rabbit ears who was holding up a bicycle with an engine attached to it.
Dracula watched with curiosity. What was this contraption and why was this fascinating him? Perhaps he should have a talk with this person.
Stepping out of his office, he would make his way to the entrance where he could hear the commotion "It's not road safe! That's what I'm telling you!"
The bunny faunus sighed as he said, his accent was familiar to those from Australia. "It is! I just didn't brake in time, that's all!" Before the officer could continue, the sight of the King stopped the man as he snapped to attention and saluted, "My Lord! I am sorry for the disturbance, it will be over soon I promise!"
"It's alright. Now tell me what the problem is." Dracula said, looking at the officer and the Faunus.
The officer spoke first, "I was doing my rounds when this man here came around the corner much too fast and almost crashed. I was about to impound his contraption and give him a ticket, my Lord."
Dracula looked at the contraption before looking at the Faunus. "You put a motorized engine on a bicycle?"
The bunny faunus nodded as he said, "Yes my Lord, today was its test run after me and my wife had been building on it for the past five years."
Dracula, now stroking his chin beard, looked at it and what he found fascinated him as he asked "What is your name?"
The bunny faunus said with pride, "Walter Scarlatina, my Lord."
Dracula nodded before looking at the officer, "Let him go. I want to talk to him." The officer bowed his head before walking away. Dracula looked back at him, "Walter, why don't we discuss a business proposal?"
Walter was shocked as he brought the bike into the castle, or more exact, Dracula's personal workshop where his slowly growing collection of cars could be seen, "I see you went with a belt instead of a chain, why is that?" Dracula asked as he took a close look at the motorized bicycle.
Walter cleared his throat, "Because the chain couldn't handle the tension and speed, we found that a belt could. So the chain you see here is what is used to start up the motor which is why it still has its back kick stand." He motioned and showed Dracula how it worked, which fascinated him. "We built the motor all by hand because I work at a foundry, my Lord."
Dracula looked at the bicycle before an idea came to mind. "Mr. Scarlatina, how would you like a state loan to create a superior version of your invention?"
Walter was shocked before he said, "I uh… I don't, I mean… I don't know." Dracula simply smiled as he suggested, "How about a bet? If I personally do not find your motorized bicycle enjoyable or safe, then you can say no."
Walter looked up at him before clearing his throat. "Alright, I accept."
Dracula smiled before he went to grab a riding jacket and goggles. Once outside the castle again, Walter began telling the King how to start the machine, where the accelerator was, and even the brakes.
Of course, this did not go without catching the eyes of the crowd who were now slowly gathering to see what their King was doing. "Well then, let's see what this can do, shall we?" He asked with a smile as he truly was excited because thanks to Ford and his own freetime tinkering in his own personal lab he had found a new love for machines.
Turning the pedals, he heard the engine come to life and he FELT the power from his seat and even from the handle bars as his grip seemed to tighten, as if he was about to break in a new stead, yet this stead was one of metal and oil instead of flesh and blood.
Dracula could feel the engine roar underneath him, it was powerful. Dracula then let go of the brake and there he zoomed off! He drove around the cityscape, only braking for when the lights turned red. But when they turned green, he sped off again. This was a fantastic feeling. To feel the wind blowing through him, it felt like when he charged through the battlefield of Vacuo. The blood rushing through him, the anticipation, all of it, from something as simple as a motorized bicycle. He managed to drive his way back to Walter and stopped in front of him. Dracula removed his goggles and looked at him. "Mr. Scarlatina... I find your invention safe and very enjoyable." He said with a grin on his face.
The bunny faunus was shocked. Of course, what came was the crowd trying to get to him in an attempt to order one for themselves. All of which he would credit the bet in his own biography 'The Impossible Bet'. Which would outline his life from a simple foundry worker to the owner of the biggest motorcycle company in Stoker's history which would once again lead to more than a few contracts with the military for his bikes to be used for scouts and messengers.
But while fortune seemed to shine down on Stoker, for one man who fought Dracula and lived, his life was anything but fortune as Ozma once again reborn would take a powerful relic to the former Kingdom of Mantle, now renamed Atlas to be held for safekeeping.
Ozma sighed as he placed the Relic of Creation which was in the form of a staff inside of the vault underneath the newly created Atlas Academy which was now the center hold of the military, government, and even a company that specialized in Dust. The Schnee Dust company, which was founded by Nicholas Schnee, son of Darius Schnee.
The current headmaster watched as the vault closed before he spoke "I know it's not my place to speak on such matters, but you have yet to approach the King of Stoker for safe keeping of a relic. If it's not too much to ask, why is that?"
Ozma looked down slightly, "It may be hypocritical of me to say, but I don't know if I can truly trust them with one of these relics. After all, they're not... I don't want to say humans, but they're not Faunus either."
The Headmaster pursed his lips before saying, "You're not wrong there. We... Learned a bit from the vampire corpse we took during the war."
Ozma's eyes widened as he grabbed the headmaster's uniform before saying in a raised tone of voice, "YOU WHAT!?"
"Woah woah! Calm down, Oz!" He grabbed his hands and wrestled them off. "First rule of engagement, know your enemy, Oz.".
Ozma just stared at the headmaster with a slight twitch in one of his eyes before he breathed to try and collect his thoughts before he said with his hands moving in a calming motion. "Ok, ok, ok, ok. Everythings alright." After finally calming down, he asked the Headmaster, "Aside from the possible… immoral actions of the past during the war. What did you learn?"
"Their bodies are dead." The Headmaster replied.
This caused Ozma to look at him. "What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is, when they were walking and talking, none of their major organs function. Also their canines were sharpened, that's how they drain blood from bodies. It's skin was unnaturally pale, like it hadn't been out in the sun since they were born." The Headmaster expanded.
Ozma, clearly interested, motioned for him to continue.
"However, what we found is that they are sensitive to the sun. I'm talking they will catch fire when making contact with it. We can't explain it, it just seems to be a part of their biology." Explained the Headmaster.
"But, we saw many of them fighting in the sun." Ozma argued before stopping as he might have realized, "Unless they have aura... Or clouded in cloth." Ozma was silent as he began to process the implications, and they didn't sit well with him even after the fight he had with King Dracula which almost took his life.
"Look, I know it was wrong, but we need to learn what these things are and what exactly they want. Did they end this war quickly because they were better than us, or was it for some other reason. I mean, what if they were created by... Her?" The Headmaster asked.
Ozma shook his head, "No. They weren't her creations or else the Grimm wouldn't have attacked them."
"Then what the hell is this, Oz!? I mean, why did they go through all that trouble? What are we going to do about this Kingdom that kicked Mantle and Mistral's ass, and including yours! I mean, aren't you the least bit pissed off about that?" The Headmaster asked, bewildered and baffled.
Ozma sighed, "I will admit my pride was hurt when I fought King Dracula. But who is to say they are indeed not a result of our own greed, maybe the Brother of Darkness created them as a way to show what we could become if we stray too far into darkness." Looking off into space he added, "I just don't know… I truly am at a loss."
The Headmaster sighed before looking away from him and towards the Staff. "We should probably go. The Kingdom is about to float, and I for one, want to see that shit."
Ozma chuckled as he followed the Headmaster out, but within his mind, he still lingered on the question of what the vampire is and where they came from.
As the Kingdom of Atlas began to float, much to the awe of the people of Mantle, Ozma returned to his own Kingdom and decided it was time he learned the ropes of becoming a Headmaster. Maybe in a few decades, he'll actually do it.
While one immortal was learning the ropes of being a teacher, another was currently handling issues of a recent operation that had sadly gone wrong. For Dracula was sitting in a military hospital where he sat beside the first of many silver eyed warriors whom he had recruited into his own personal unit who sadly was missing an arm.
Dracula looked at Maria with sadness, "What happened to you, Maria..." He asked her.
Maria looked to the King in shame as she said, "We found the hideout of the bandits." She groaned slightly in pain, "We thought we had the advantage, we were wrong and I made a bad call… We should've pulled out but I wanted to make you proud for how much you put into training me. I am sorry my Lord, I failed you."
Dracula looked at her before placing a hand on her shoulder. "My concern is for you being safe. Even with a missing arm, I'm just glad you're alive." He said.
Maria couldn't look the King in the eyes as she tried to fight back tears, "But I failed you, you put so much faith in me and I failed you."
Dracula then decided to ask a shocking question, "So you're saying that this is my fault?"
Maria looked at him shocked before she shook her head, "What, no! It's my fault because I failed you! You put so much trust in me and I failed you!" She was now spilling tears freely down her cheek.
"So you're saying that I made the wrong choice?" Dracula asked before saying, "Because I don't make wrong choices. I make investments. And the only way you fail is by giving up." That's when he stood up and his face became hardened.
"Failure is the greatest teacher. You learn more from failure than from success. And the fact that you can hold yourself accountable, is admirable. The only question is, are you giving up? Or are you going to get back up and become who you were MEANT to be?"
Maria was silent for a bit as she pulled over his words before she asked in a low voice, "Who am I meant to be, my Lord?"
Dracula looked at her, before answering, "A hero, an assassin, a symbol of hope... All of those things amount to one thing. The one thing I trained you to be. Say it. Who are you meant to be?"
Maria was silent for another minute before she finally said, "Your Reaper."
"Not just my reaper. The Grimm Reaper." Dracula reminded her. "Now, are you ready to get back up?"
Maria nodded as she looked back at Dracula with her silver eyes.
"Good." Dracula nodded back before he snapped his fingers. Several nurses wheeled in a tray that held an arm made of metal.
"What is that?" Maria asked.
"An experiment. To test the capabilities of a person with an artificial limb. You will be our first person with a cybernetic limb." Dracula replied.
Maria looked at the metallic arm as she said with determination, "Let's do it."
It took about a day, but once the prosthesis was installed, Maria tested it out while using her scythes that upgraded with a new type of Dust. Gravity Dust.
To say the woman would become better and a little scarier would be an understatement. During her time as the Grimm Reaper, she would complete more missions alongside her fellow silver eyed Reapers.
However, with each mission, to say she started to get a bit cocky wouldn't be wrong and she found herself once more in a life or death battle that would finally put the old Grimm Reaper out of commission, but that was well into her life span and her service to her King.
However, what was present was the ever looming threat of war. For now, on the 60th anniversary of the Seven Day War, Mistral was becoming more bold as government backed bandits attacked and raided across the borders of the Faunus Protectorate of Stoker, as even Dracula could see the embers of war beginning to glow.
Which was why he was in an emergency council meeting with not just his council but also the son of Ebony Belladonna, Ghira Belladonna. The Prince of all Faunus. The loudest of the council was Striga who instead of a commander, was now 'General' Striga of the Stoker Army even if by two stars. "WE SHOULD HAVE MARCHED ON THEIR CAPITAL LONG AGO! This insult should not go unpunished!" Slamming her balled up hand onto the table to prove a point.
"Striga, calm yourself." Dracula ordered before sighing as he spoke, "It is clear Mistral wants their territory back. Well, they will not have it." Dracula said.
"Our spies in Mistral have spoken about rounding them up and sending them towards this small island." Carmilla said, pointing to a small island near Mistral.
"An entire city's worth of Faunus, relegated to that small island? I can think of no insult." Lenore said with a sneer.
"Prince Belladonna. We want your advice." Morana said, looking at the Panther Faunus.
The Panther Faunus looked at everyone before he finally spoke, "You have done all you could to help my people. I say this, not as an insult, but as a child asking their parents, for that is what you are to my people, a parent who has helped their child to become a strong and proud young adult. So it is the wish of our people that you allow us to fight this war ourselves."
Lisa looked shocked as she said, "You can't be serious! We can't leave you to fight Mistral on your own! It wouldn't be right! Please allow us to help your nation."
Everyone was surprised by his suggestion. "You wish to strike out on your own?" Cho asked, in surprise.
"This is no slight against you at all, but our people must be able to stand up on our own. That's why I wish for us to fight them on our own. If we truly need help, we will ask for it. We just... We just ask that you sit this one out." Ghira said, looking at them.
Dracula looked down slightly before sighing, "If that is what you truly wish for, then we will respect your wish."
Ghira smiled as he added, "It is not to say that we won't ask for aid in the form of advisors or military material. All we ask is that we wish to repay you for all that you have done for, as well as my family, your Highness."
Dracula couldn't help but chuckle as he thought, 'So much like Ebony.'
Lisa did not like this one bit, but she knew she couldn't get him to change his mind. She sighed before looking at him, "At the first sight of trouble, you will ask us for help. Understand?" She asked with her eyes fiery like a mother.
Ghira bowed his head, "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Morana smiled as she said to Ghira, "Know that we wish you the best and hope your nation gains a swift victory." Ghira nodded as many wouldn't know it, but the moment Ghira left Stoker, the machine of war once again awoke from its slumber as it began to go into gear. It produced weapons and war material to be sent towards the young Faunus nation to help them fight for their right to be their own as Stoker did 60 years prior during the Seven Day War.
Among the weapons being sent was the new Stoker National 49 which was a radical design auto loading rifle with a detachable box magazine chambered in the now powerful and soon to be standard 7.62x54mm cartridge. Which was thanks to the teams sent to fight Grimm and bandits alike that reported the effectiveness of the cartridge.
Of course, those of Atlas's upper society who didn't fight in the Seven Day War believed that the little faunus nation would fall to the might of Mistral considering that Atlas had been supplying them with weapons as part of the agreement since Atlas had a military port on their land nearest to Atlas's borders which would become known as Argus City.
This wouldn't even be known as a war. This was a simple Revolution to the Faunus as they wanted to be seen as equals through their own strength. This war lasted for three years as it was clear, the Faunus with their superior sight and animal instincts along with Stoker's weapons gave them an advantage over Atlas's weaponry.
However, the biggest advantage would be seen in the advancements created thanks to the Stoker's industry and science which would shine bright in the war be it on the ground, air, or at sea.
But that…
…Is a story for another day.