Chapter 1: Gallia, to arms!

Glossary: Gallian Special Service

The Gallian Special Service (or GSS, for short) is a branch of the Gallian Armed Forces that specializes in undercover operations, sabotage, recon and small unit tactics. It was established in 1920 by General Erwin Absenkirch, according to his proposed reforms of the GAF for which he received the support of Belgen Gunther.

The GSS is a small branch, with no more than 2000 agents active, but it has been the first real Special Operation unit in Europa, their typical black uniform with the iron mask, the extremely efficient 'Lansealer' carbine and a whole other set of groundbreaking weapons make them a force to be reckoned with when they manage to slip behind enemy lines.

The branch is also the main arm of the Gallian Intelligence Agency, which has the exclusive duty of keeping an eye on foreign politics and be on the lookout for any threat to Gallia's independence.

March 2, 1935.

Followed by the rest of the cabinet, Wilbur knocked formally on the large white door. The two royal guards recognized him, saluted him and then opened the doors, allowing the ministers to enter the large room where, soon enough, the War Council was going to meet.

Inside that room, already waiting to start the reunion, was a young Princess Cordelia gi Randgriz, wearing her white and blue clothing and that headscarf that Wilbur always found quite odd. Still, he was the first to greet her.

"Your Highness." he said with a cordial smile.

The Princess, who had ascended to the throne two years before, made one of her composed smiles and said "Good day to you, Minister Fender."

Minister. Prime Minister. At moments, Wilbur was still having a hard time believing it, but there he stood. When he had entered politics, after the last war, he wasn't expecting to be in that position. Yet, after Erwin and the Gallian Special Service had uncovered the fact that the previous Prime Minister, Borg, had plotted the assassination of the previous Prince, Wilbur had been chosen by Cordelia herself as her new right-hand man.

It wasn't that difficult: Wilbur had managed to become the official guardian of the then-Heir and the two had developed a student-teacher bond of great strength. Cordelia was becoming ever more an active player in Gallian politics thanks to the education given by Wilbur, and the Prime Minister had earned a formidable ally for his endgame.

"I wish I could say it was a good day, Your Highness." Wilbur had to say.

Even Cordelia assumed a more concerned expression. "Yes. The reports from Ghirlandaio are a source of concern."

"I'm afraid it will be like this all over Gallia."

The doors opened again, this time letting the General Staff in. General DeWytt was leading the delegation, but Erwin was in the first row behind him. The two old friends greeted with a single gaze while the officers took their spots on the left side of the table with the large map of Gallia on it. Wilbur went to stand right next to Cordelia while the cabinet stood on the right side.

"Your Highness...gentlemen, we stand on the verge of a national crisis." Wilbur began before nodding to the officers.

DeWytt then started the briefing. "An hour and twenty minutes ago, the Citadel of Ghirlandaio came under siege of Imperial forces. The first reports indicate that the enemy is employing a new kind of weapon: the mobile fortress Batomys."

"More like a land dreadnought." General Velter replied. "Because that's what it is: a warship on tracks."

"Indeed." continued Erwin. "Its cannons crumbled the outer wall of Ghirlandaio after a few hours, despite all the works we did in the previous years."

"Who's defending the fortress?" Wilbur asked.

"General Damon with his 17th Division, Prime Minister." DeWytt answered.

Wilbur gave a quite worried gaze to Erwin, whose eyes in turn simply said that this wasn't something he could help with. Damon had been posted at Ghirlandaio just recently, after his family made much pressure so that he could face and repel the first imperial attack, for sure thinking that the Imperials had no plan to overcome the walls.

But Damon, while not ignorant in the basic matters of warfare, was arrogant and impulsive, hardly capable to adapt in front of unknown occasions like this one.

"And the road of Bruhl?" Minister Ubiq asked.

"Intel confirms that the imperials will attack today, in the afternoon." Erwin stated. "We strongly suggest you issue an order of evacuation, Prime Minister."

"No chance we can defend the town?" Minister Kowak asked.

DeWytt shook his head. "Negative. We will send a detachment to cover the civilians and slow down the invasion, but the force we're facing outnumbers our entire armed forces four to one."

"Four...to one?" Cordelia asked intimidated.

"Yes, Your Highness." Erwin replied calmly. "That's why we can't just stand and fight on open terrain: we'll run out of troops far before them."

"Then what's the plan?" Wilbur asked.

"The Army is already digging in along the Vasel Bridge and outside Fouzen. The units at the borders will make a fighting retreat while the GSS will begin search and destroy missions behind the advancing Imperial lines. We'll try to blunt their spear before they reach our main defensive line."

"General Absenkirch proposed a plan to lure a large portion of Imperial forces inside Vasel and deal them a major blow." DeWytt added.

"All the way to Vasel?" another Minister protested. "Are we just going to cede half of the country without a fight?"

"As General DeWytt reminded us, the enemy far outnumbers our standing army. We need to draw the imperials in a place where we will have the advantage. And more importantly, we can't think of a real counterattack until the Militia is mobilized, which will take approximately a week." Erwin replied staunchly.

The Minister sighed in frustration, but he couldn't deny that fact.

"There is also another relevant point: this invasion is overall commanded by Prince Maximillian von Reginrave." Erwin finally added.

"Prince Maximillian?" Wilbur asked surprised and alarmed. "But why would he...damn it. He wants to make Gallia his own kingdom." he realized.

"That's what I guessed, too. But my sources in Schwartzgrad are still looking into this." Erwin replied. "For now, all we have to worry about is that he doesn't get to Randgriz."

Wilbur nodded a positive.

"The strategy is just the same as the last war." concluded DeWytt. "We need to hold out, wear down the enemy while we gather our strength for a final blow. Your Excellencies, we need both your signs to start mobilizing the militia." he added before taking out a paper and sliding it toward Wilbur and Cordelia.

The Princess looked at her mentor with a mixture of hesitation and resolve. Wilbur nodded to her and Cordelia seemed to find the strength she needed as the ruler of Gallia. She took the pen and signed with a single, swift stroke, then passed it to Wilbur, who needed to bend down a little to reach the paper and sign it. Then he returned it to DeWytt.

"Thank you. We'll begin immediately. General Rauben?"

"Right away, Your Excellency." another of the old Generals said before leaving the room.

"Prime Minister." Erwin said after that. "Did we get any external support?"

Wilbur replied with very little enthusiasm. "The Federation assured us that they would come to our help if the Empire invaded, but you know better than me that both sides have been massing troops at their border."

"Right. It's safe to assume this is the Empire's ultimate attempt at subjugating all of Europa...what about Vinland?"

"On that front, I have one good news: Mr. Agusta is coming here to Randgriz. Apparently, he managed to build that mega-factory we talked about. It will be up to you to present him the wish list."

Erwin let a smile out. "Good. We're gonna need all the weapons we can get."

Of course, Adrien Agusta had gone a long way from his days as a soldier. Barely two years after the end of the war, his father suffered a stroke and Adrien found himself directing the arms company of his family. Proving not only to be better than his father, but even of his grandfather, the founder of the company.

Now, Agusta Co had developed to become Agusta-Northland, a huge conglomerate where Adrien had the major holdings and that had factories not only in Europa, but also in the United States of Vinland, the ever-growing nation on the other side of the Atlantic.

But despite wealth and success, Adrien had never forgotten his ties with Gallia and the vow he had made with his two friends: it was AN that supplied the GSS with their uniforms and personal gear, not to mention a vast choice of weapons for the Army.

"In the meantime, we need to prepare to welcome the refugees, and see who among them has to serve in the Militia." Wilbur concluded. "If there's nothing else…"

"Nothing to report." DeWytt replied.

"Then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you, gentlemen." Cordelia intervened.

As the two delegations left, Erwin and Wilbur walked away together, staying just far away enough from the rest of the group to speak more softly.

"What about 'Trinity'?" Wilbur asked. "If the Imps attack Bruhl…"

"I already dis a unit to pick them up and bring them back here, including the Edelweiss."

"I still think we shouldn't have left it to two teens."

"It's a model from the Great War. It would have gathered dust in one of our storage rooms, so I preferred giving it to Isara."

"Yeah, but I mean...they are all way too vulnerable out there."

"I'm confident in Welkin and Isara. They'll get out of there before it's too late."

Of all things that could happen, Welkin never expected to be apprehended by the town watch because he was drawing sketches on his notebook. As the two male guards kept him restrained while conducting him back to their station, Welkin was more concerned with the young woman who clearly was leading the patrol and who was looking into said notebook.

"I must say, these drawings are good." that woman, Alicia as she introduced herself, noted. "You really are talented with the pen." she said in admiration, halting to look at him.

"Thanks." said Welkin, frustrated but slightly hopeful. "So are you convinced that I'm not a spy?"

Alicia's expression immediately hardened and he turned on her heels. "Of course, it could very well be a code."

Welkin grunted irritated. Then again, with news of an Imperial invasion possibly coming at any moment, it shouldn't have surprised him. Inside his head, he reminded himself to start being more self-conscious.

"Welkin?!" a familiar voice said in the distance and Welkin rose his head with surprise, as did the rest of the group.

They saw a young Darcsen girl with a green peasant dress and a shawl that covered much of her upper body. She was looking at Welkin with a worried expression and her hands intertwined in front of her like a prayer.

Then she jogged forward. "What kind of trouble did you get yourself in, this time?" she said, still worried and partially exhausted, like she had seen that scene multiple times.

Instead of letting Welkin speak, Alicia took a moment to look at that young girl and then recognized her. "I know you. You live at the old General's house."

"Yes. I'm Isara Gunther. Adoptive daughter of General Belgen Gunther. I would like to apologize for whatever my brother has done." she replied.

Alicia barred her eyes, and so did the other two guards who were holding the young man. On his part, Welkin made a timid smile.

"So he is a Gunther!" Alicia exclaimed, still in disbelief.

"Yes." Isara said timidly. "Welkin has come here from the university to help me pack. But...I suppose he won't be able to...until he's in your custody."

Realizing that she had made a huge mistake, Alicia pouted in frustration. Still, she ordered the guards to let the man go and handed back the notebook.

"I'm truly sorry for that." she said with a formal tone. "But I was just doing my job, you know."

"It's okay, really." Welkin said with a lighthearted tone. "I understand how I might have looked suspicious."

"Welkin has a huge passion for nature and wildlife. That's why he's studying biology at the university." Isara commented.

"Yes. I want to become a teacher, once I graduate." Welkin replied candidly.

Alicia hummed with an admired tone, then their attention was caught by a sudden cracking of rifles.

They turned toward the river and the opposite coast. Quickly enough, they spotted three men clad in the imperial combat armor, firing with their semi-automatic rifles at a family of a kid and his parents. They were standing next to what was possibly their truck and tried to escape, but the imperials gunned them down and then threw a grenade to the truck, destroying it. All in the span of a few seconds.

The town watchmen rushed to take cover at the small stone wall on their side of the river, but one of them was hit almost immediately.

While Welkin grabbed Isara and pushed her on the ground, shielding her, Alicia assessed the situation. They were only three scouts, so it was not impossible for them to stand and fight. She reached the rifle of his fallen guard and passed it to Welkin.

"Come on, it's only three of them. You know how to use a rifle, right?"

"Yes. At least, I went through basic training in high school." Welkin replied as he took the weapon. Then he pushed Isara at the wall, telling her to stand down.

The Gallians lined up and returned fire, taking out one of the scouts. The other two scrambled for cover and an exchange of bullets from both sides of the river followed.

Until Welkin spotted some shadows moving from the woods where the same Imperials had come from.

"Watch out, they got reinforcements!" the young man assumed.

Instead, a loud volley resonated in the air and the two scouts stiffened and then crumbled dead on the floor.

Surprised and confused, the Gallians held their fire and waited.

From the woods came out a group of soldiers wearing what looked like normal Army uniforms, but instead of dark azure, the primary color was black. There were a man with an assault rifle and the armor of a shocktrooper. He had black hair and eyes and had an impassibly stoic face.

Then there was a woman with a very strange color: the eyes were pink-red, same as the long hair, except that the lower half of the latter were white. She had the uniform of a scout and the relative semi-auto rifle.

Finally, a fairly tall Darcsen woman with a heavy armor and what looked like a portable assault cannon. Her whole armor was dark blue, which actually fit the color of her eyes and long hair tied in a ponytail with a Darcsen ribbon.

The three soldiers went and checked the pulse of the Imperials. Then, after confirming their deaths, the shocktrooper spotted Welkin's group and walked all the way through the bridge until he was in front of him.

"Welkin Gunther?" he asked with a calm voice.

The young man stiffened and replied seriously "Yes. I am."

"Captain Kurt Irving of Unit 422. General Absenkirch sent us to make sure you and your sister safely reach Randgriz. I suppose she's the one." he said, eventually turning his head toward Isara.

"I am." Isara replied.

"Good."

On their part, Alicia and the surviving guard made the salute. "Excuse me, Captain. Alicia Melchiott of the Bruhl Town Watch. Does it mean you're not here to defend us?"

Kurt shook his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Melchiott. But orders have come to evacuate the town. The Imperial invasion force is far too strong for the Army to take on alone. We will help you evacuate and then stay behind to hinder their advance as much as possible, but all civilians in this region must reach the western coast of the Vasel river."

Alicia made a soft gasp. The thought of abandoning her town without trying everything in her power haunted her.

The woman with red and white hair approached her.

"Hey." she greeted gently. "Pardon the intrusion. I'm Sergeant Riela Marcellis. Alicia, I understand that you don't want to abandon your hometown, but staying here right now will only get you killed. The best thing is you can do is to protect your people during the escape. I'm sure that one day we will reclaim Bruhl, but we need to trust our superiors."

"You should listen to her, Miss Melchiott." another voice came from behind the three soldiers.

Welkin looked that way and spotted two other men, and they wore the unmistakable combat uniform of the Gallian Special Service: a black jacket and pants, with only protections for knees, elbows and a particular protective vest made of the experimental fiber known as Vilcrum.

On top of that, they were the iconic iron mask that covered the face alongside a ski mask and the helmet. The little badge on their left arms bore the symbol of the GSS, which was the coat-of-arms of Gallia accompanied by the motto: Forever Watchful.

The two soldiers approached and removed their masks, surprising the locals with their appearance: both of them couldn't possibly be more than 18 years old and one of them was even a Darcsen, with hair short enough to cover the skin on top of the head.

The other one had brown eyes and the black hairs were ruffled, even if short. This teen smiled and approached the Gunther.

"Pleasure to meet you, Welkin Gunther. I'm Corporal Ramal Valt of the Gallian Special Service. This is my partner, Corporal Kiril."

"Hi, there." the Darcsen replied with an equally friendly tone.

"Pleasure to meet you, Corporals." Welkin replied in kind. "So it's true that Erwin sent you.

"Yeah, he told us about your relationship with him...and with the Prime Minister...and with the richest arm producer of Gallia." Kiril joked.

"Wait, what?" Alicia asked, mostly unable to believe that she didn't know any of that: Welkin might have lived mostly out of town, but Isara had been there for a long time.

Ramal then turned toward Kurt and spoke cordially. "Captain, we'll ensure the recovery of Trinity. I suggest you dig inside the town before the next Imperials arrive."

"Agreed. We'll leave it to you. See you back at the capital, kids." Kurt replied in a lighthearted way.

"Godspeed, Captain." Kiril wished.

And while Kurt and his two companions walked away to reach the rest of their squad, camped somewhere in the woods, Ramal and Kiril turned toward Alicia.

"Miss Melchiott, inform the rest of the town watch. Set up any defense you can along the main road so we have a better chance at stopping the next assault." said Kiril.

"Sure." Alicia replied, still determined to give the Imperials one last departing gift of lead.

Ramal instead approached Isara and Welkin, so he could whisper. "Now, Miss Gunther…"

"Please. Just Isara is fine." the girl halted politely.

"Ok...Isara, I think you have something that could be extremely useful for the war effort."

"Yes. Follow me."

March 3, 1935.

Welkin and Isara had been safely brought back to Randgriz after a skirmish with the Empire at Bruhl, and most importantly they had brought the Edelweiss with them. As soon as Adrien would arrive, Wilbur thought, they could start discussing the possibility to produce more copies of that tank, which Isara had extensively modified and thus still outclassed the entire Gallian armored arsenal.

Apparently, Erwin had been right in leaving the prototype to his goddaughter.

"They will arrive here today afternoon." Erwin reported. "I have already assigned both of them to my Division."

"Good. I wouldn't have wanted Damon to control the Edelweiss." Wilbur replied.

"Can you imagine?" Erwin quipped.

"Also, it seems like your two pupils behaved exceptionally well during the retreat. I guess I owe you an apology."

"I told you Ram and Kiril were my best students, even at such a young age." Erwin said with a modest boast.

"So...what's the situation on the frontline?" Wilbur asked a little more serious.

"Well...somehow, Damon still managed to inflict consistent casualties to the attackers of Ghirlandaio, so even if he had to abandon the citadel, the imperials lost a lot of time bringing in reinforcements. The GSS units are already attacking the supply lines of the Imperials and the Army is still capable of fighting during the retreat. So far, so good."

"Color me surprised, then. Damon managed to get himself useful. What about the Batomys?"

"The good news is that it's such a massive tank that it's incredibly slow. If the Imps planned a lightning war, the Batomys simply can't keep up the pace. For now, it's not a threat." Erwin explained.

"Glad to hear that. Do you already know who are his sub-commanders?"

"General Gregor, General Jaeger...and a woman named Selvaria Bles."

Wilbur tilted his head in confusion. "A woman general? In the Imperial Army?"

"Doesn't surprise me...considering she's a Valkyria."

Wilbur's eyes popped out. "What? How can you tell?"

"I read her description and the few pictures that had been taken of her at Ghirlandaio. How many people do you know who have silver hair and crimson eyes?"

The Prime Minister quickly remembered that one time when Erwin transformed in front of him and Adrien. Indeed, there was no other explanation.

"Anyway, are you ready for your grand speech?" Erwin asked to change the subject.

Wilbur sighed in exhaustion. Of all things that there were to do, his entire staff found nothing more important than asking him to prepare a speech to deliver to the nation on the radio. Something that would galvanize the people to resist this crisis with the same determination of their ancestors.

"I don't know, honestly. We have been preparing for this moment for twenty years. Now that we are here, though...I'm not sure I'm the right person to cover this role."

"Don't be ridiculous. Borg would've sold us out immediately, but you have been chose by Her Highness because you care for Gallia like no other. Come on, I still remember how you so casually managed to galvanize the troops, during the last war. It's the same thing, you'll just have to be a little more elaborate with your wording."

Wilbur smirked. Sure, raising the morale of a fighting force was something he managed to do, back in the day. He had used that skill into his political career, rising the ranks of his party with the popularity he achieved in public apparitions.

Aside from the context, this was to be just like any other assembly. Also, Cordelia herself had pleaded for him to do this speech, so his conscience told him that he couldn't refuse.

As such, when the clock signaled that it was 9:20 am, the Prime Minister called his assistants and was escorted to the central station of Gallian Central Broadcast, the state-owned radio company. While Erwin returned to the base of Amatrian to supervise the war, Wilbur was brought to the broadcasting room.

He was made to seat in front of a microphone, with a large amount of equipment behind it. Five minutes until the broadcast. Wilbur cleared his voice and quickly went through the paper again.

" We're on live in three...two…" said the director of the radio who was inside the room, then pointed at the operators in the direction room.

The red light turned to green and Wilbur knew they were live.

All of a sudden, the tension disappeared. His mind locked in on the task at hand and he began speaking.

"People of Gallia. Today, I speak to you as your Prime Minister, but first of all as your fellow

citizen. As you certainly know, yesterday our peaceful and beloved nation was suddenly

attacked and its borders violated. Just like twenty years ago, the tyranny of the Empire casts

its long shadows over us. Our brave soldiers of the Army and the Gallian Special Service

are already fighting as I speak, but they are facing an enemy with overwhelming numbers.

My brothers and sisters. Once again, as it has long been in the History of this nation, our

beloved homeland is at risk of being devoured by the appetites of foreign conquerors."

He stopped and took a silent breather before putting more emphasis into his words.

"But just like in the past, said conquerors seem to forget one thing: we are Gallians.

We do not lay down in front of an aggressor, no matter the disparity.

If someone threatens our land, our homes and our families, then we will face them with unrelenting will. We will protect all that we hold dear with our lives, if necessary.

I know that some believe that Her Highness and Her government should evacuate. Leave

for a safer land. Well, let me tell you: the Empire has already attacked the Atlantic Federation and the Nord Republic. What we're witnessing in these days is not just another little war: it's the final

war for the destiny of Europa, liberty against tyranny.

Therefore, let me assure you of one thing. Her Highness and Her government are going

nowhere. We will stand here and do our part for the country and for the freedom of Europa. And if

our land is overrun, we will still keep up the fight, in the woods, in the mountains. Gallia will be

free, and will keep fighting until it is free!"

Himself caught in the emotion, Wilbur launched the final appeal.

"Gallia. Your greatest challenge is here!

Gallia, to arms!"

He stood silent, then nodded toward the Director, who made the transmission cut. Wilbur finally let out a sigh of relief, then a clapping started, first from the Director, then from the operators that opened the door and were waiting in the corridor. Wilbur calmly started walking out, waving at the journalists that were cheering him.

And when he got outside, he was surprised to find a large crowd that had gathered below the building, already cheering for him and waving Gallia's flags. The Royal Guards escorting him had to push back the crowd a little to allow him to reach the car.

Then Wilbur spotted a middle-aged man dressed richly, with a little curled mustache and who was smiling at him calmly.

Instantly, the Prime Minister said to two of the soldiers "Let that man through."

A bit surprised, but seeing that the man was clearly rich and perhaps important, they let him through. And indeed, the two men went and hugged each other.

"Adrien!" said Wilbur happily. "I thought your ship was supposed to arrive tomorrow?" he then asked.

Adrien chuckled. "You'll soon see, my friend."

"Let me go. Unhand me this instant!" the voice of a young man came from behind.

The two turned and spotted the same two soldiers now restraining a man of about 20 years, dressed with a jacket and wearing a pair of glasses.

"Excuse me, officer. The boy's with me." Adrien said to the soldiers, who finally let the young man go and turned back to the swarming crowd.

"Prime Minister Fender, allow me to present you Andy Tensen, the most promising addition of the Development Division of Agusta-Northland." Adrien introduced warmly.

The young man made a formal bow with his head. "It's an honor, Your Excellency."

"A pleasure to meet you, young Tensen. Are you from Vinland?" Wilbur asked curious.

"Yes, sir. From New Leeds."

"Well, I assume you're here to take notes on what we need. How about we reach Amatrian, right away?"

"Of course. After all, you are going to find the answer to our quick arrival just there." Adrien said with a smirk.

The trip wasn't that long: after passing through the crowd, the road to Amatrian was relatively short, as the base sat just outside the circular walls of the capital. The soldiers checked the ID and then let them pass, letting the convoy park inside the base.

And they almost immediately spotted Erwin, giving them their backs alongside two GSS agents and staring instead to something that caught Wilbur's eye, too.

A machine made up of seemingly a long tube and several thin planks sticking out on the sides and the back.

"Hold on...is that…?" he asked.

Adrien laughed. "Yes, my friend. Meet the first, functioning airplane!"

The Prime Minister gasped, alongside his bodyguards.

"So you did it! You did it, you son of a bitch!" Wilbur said enthusiastic to Adrien.

In turn, his friend smiled. "Oh, please. I only put the money. The real hero here is Andy: he finished the project."

Tensen rubbed his head and replied humbly "You give me too much credit, boss. Professor Theimer first and his collaborators later did most of the job. I only found the last piece to the puzzle."

"It's still incredible, young man." Wilbur complimented, then looked worried at how their other friend seemed immobile. "Now, I think you should explain yourself to Erwin."

The group went and walked toward Erwin. The trained hearing of the General, though, allowed him to realize who was behind him before even turning as he said "You know Adrien? I always hated your idea of surprise. I mean, where are we supposed to keep this?"

The three GSS turned around and Wilbur realized the other two had to be Ramal and Kiril.

"Ah, just give us a plain field and it will be ok." Adrien minimized. "Although, before the real jewels arrive, we might need to build a proper facility."

Erwin shook his head and smiled. "You never change, you old weasel." he said as he went forward and embraced with his old comrade.

"It's good to see you too, Erw." said Adrien.

When they separated, Erwin presented his two pupils. "Adrien, Wilbur, these are my students: Corporals Ramal Valt and Kiril."

The two teens made the salute. "It's an honor, Prime Minister." said Kiril. "We just heard your speech at the radio, it was real fire."

Wilbur seemed a little flustered. "I'm glad you found some inspiration, Corporal."

"Some?!" intervened Ramal. "I feel like I can kick the Imps out of Gallia by myself."

"Damn, you weren't kidding, Erwin. They really are young." Adrien instead commented.

"Well, if you don't trust his judgment, trust my word: they know what they are doing."

The sudden voice was that of Welkin, who appeared from behind the three GSS, from the direction of the airplane. He was still wearing his civilian clothing.

Wilbur and Adrien stepped forward to greet the young man that they considered as a sort of son, themselves. "Look how dashing you've become, Welks." Adrien said with an affectionate quip.

"Hey, Is! Come on, you can check it later." Welkin then invited.

Isara then appeared from behind the airplane. Clearly, she was already all over it. But when she saw Adrien and Wilbur, she smiled widely and ran to them, too, jumping to hug Adrien in particular. "Uncle Adrien!"

The businessman laughed loudly and made her make a spin. "How's my future favorite engineer?!"

Isara chuckled. It was no secret that the two of them had a good relationship, since Adrien had actually hired Theimer in the interwar period, after his father had fallen too ill to manage the company. Theimer had worked and lived with Isara at the AN factory near Fouzen for a few years before the father died in a tragic car accident. Isara's mother had died giving birth to her, so she was eventually adopted by Gunther.

And when even the General passed away after an emphysema, three years before, Erwin had taken the duty to visit the siblings regularly, while Wilbur used his influence to make sure Isara was admitted to high school despite the discrimination and Adrien sent the family a subsidy using Theimer's bank account, which had been inherited by Isara herself.

Of course, Isara and Adrien also kept a pen relationship, sometime discussing the projects that Theimer left incomplete, sometime talking about personal matters.

"I'm here too, you know?" Wilbur joked.

Isara went in front of him and smiled. "I heard your speech, Wilbur. It was really inspiring." she complimented.

Wilbur smiled and rubbed her head.

"Excuse me, so you're the daughter of Professor Theimer?" Andy asked.

A little surprised, Isara still made a bow to present herself. "I am. Isara Gunther. Nice to meet you."

Andy took out his beret, as it was customary with women, and replied "Andy Tensen. I have had the honor of working on this." he said, looking at the airplane. "The last project your father left to the company."

"Did you finish it?" Isara asked with emotion.

"As I was telling the Prime Minister, I only found out the last piece of the puzzle. Others did most of the work." then his eyes sparkled. "But the real reason I'm here is another one."

"What would that be?" Welkin asked curious.

"Adrien is here to negotiate a deal with the Gallia National Arsenal to produce the Edelweiss in series." Wilbur explained, which left the youngsters surprised.

"Wait, really?" Ramal asked. "I thought the Edelweiss was too expensive for Gallian coffers."

"It's expensive because Theimer used minerals that are too rare, and so had to be imported." Adrien explained. "But in Vinland there's no shortage of them. Agusta-Northland will make sure to build the chassis and the more advanced pieces of tech, but Gallia can provide the weapons and most of the mechanical parts."

"Wow." said Kiril. "Can you imagine a whole Armored Division made of Edelweiss?"

"Friggin' Imps wouldn't stand a chance."

"Now, don't get your hopes too high." Erwin warned. "Even with a factory and top engineers working on it, producing the tank is not that easy. Still, it's true that only a handful of them can significantly shift the balance of power. If we can build a company, I'd be the happiest man alive."

"With your permission, General, I would like to take a look at the tank in question." Andy politely asked. "I'm here because the blueprints left by Professor Theimer do not explain a few things."

"Of course. Isara, mind helping him?" Erwin asked.

Isara nodded with a smile. "Of course. It's an honor that my father's work is getting so much recognition."

Erwin then turned toward his pupils. "Ramal, Kiril, go with them, just to avoid problems with the sentinels."

"Sir, yes sir." Kiril replied lightheartedly.

"And let's be quick about it." Adrien joked. "Because Andy is getting married in two months and he needs to be back to Vinland!"

Andy blushed violently. "Come on, boss…" he grunted.

"Wow, congratulations. Though...let me guess...your daughter?" Wilbur asked wily.

Adrien snickered. But when the young folk left, the tone among the three middle-aged men became much more gloomy.

"As you might guess, I didn't bring the plane just for show." Adrien said with a lower tone. "Our Weapons Department has long thought about militarizing them."

"Did you get anything?" Erwin asked patiently.

"Now that Andy found a way to build a reliable rudder, it's only a matter of time before we have the new prototypes. Vinland is also ready to commission us the production of the first military models." Adrien then showed the bag he had been carrying with him the whole time. "Would like to take a peek in your office?" he asked Erwin.

"Let's go." the General replied and led them toward the command building.

"And...Cygnus?" Wilbur asked with a whisper.

Adrien sighed. "That...is a whole other pair of shoes." he said grimly.