In less than two years, the continent had seen its fair share of chaos and calamities, but nothing could prepare the realms for what was about to drop.
“Everything Artria claims is a lie! They’re experts at scheming in the shadows! We’ve even heard rumors they’re asking Nobogorod to destabilize the Empire’s northern border!”
At this bold accusation, every nation on the continent perked up their ears like a dog detecting a snack. Even Nobogorod, the kingdom that had just dropped the bombshell, was visibly shaken, twitching like a cat at the vet’s office.
Artria, according to this revelation, was allegedly plotting with Nobogorod to distract the Empire with troubles in the north while they hatched their dastardly plans. And as if everyone didn’t know already, it was common knowledge that the puppet masters pulling Artria’s strings were none other than Dedolant.
‘Dedolant. They’ve supposedly gotten Artria to stick out its neck to Nobogorod, but everyone knows Dedolant’s the real puppeteer behind all this.’
‘Wait… weren’t those guys kissing the Empire’s boots just yesterday? What’s going on here?’
‘The Empire never seemed too hostile towards Dedolant before. But now this?’
Of course, there was always a chance the information wasn’t solid. It could all be a big fat lie spun by gossipy busybodies. Especially when Artria vehemently denied everything, insisting it wasn’t true. Dedolant too quickly disassociated itself from the matter, while Nobogorod’s Demon Council stayed conspicuously silent. Accepting this as cold hard fact had plenty of loopholes.
But before anyone had time to untangle the mess, another critical incident blew the lid off.
[Nobogorod Navy clashes with Artria Navy near the Northern Sea!]
No matter the public sentiment, the leaders of these nations initially tried to keep their mouths shut. However, this latest development made that impossible. In the grand scheme of things, nations are creatures ruled by emotion far more than reason, simply because they are composed of people. And people, in large numbers, are prone to being swept away by feelings, especially in times like these.
Artria made an about-face in its stance, officially saying that the entire mishap was a misunderstanding—a simple accident—but then swiftly shifted the blame. “This is definitely Nobogorod’s stunt!” they declared with gusto. “A calculated attempt to drive a wedge between the Empire and us!”
With the gloves off, Nobogorod wasn’t about to take it lying down either.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have hard evidence. Here it is: the real intention behind Artria’s messages to us.”
The Demon Council’s Chairperson, Kalande Estania, took the stage with a small letter in hand. A little piece of parchment with words that could send shockwaves across the continent.
“Artria sent us a secret communication, offering to destabilize the Empire’s northern border in exchange for benefits afterward, and even promising concessions on ongoing territorial disputes in the Northern Sea.”
“We understand what this means. We’ve had to seriously consider our stance due to previous tensions with the Empire. Long nights of deliberation have led us to conclude this: we would rather side with neighbors who keep their promises, even if we’ve had our differences, than with those who stab us in the back while requesting favors.”
Cue dramatic pause.
As for today’s coffee? It tasted exceptionally good. If the flavor felt different despite the usual brand, well, that meant something exciting was on the horizon.
“Well, it’s finally happening.”
The latest intel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived fresh as a daisy, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of awe. And what a scene it was! Nobogorod really played their part flawlessly in this grand theater, though it wasn’t a one-man show. It takes two to tango—or a slap fight in this case—and Artria was the unsung co-star.
Dedolant must have been foaming at the mouth about now. They probably spent months pressuring their puppet kingdom Artria to tighten their act, only to watch them throw it all out the window and dive headfirst into the chaos. Looks like team karma decided to drop some serious judgment.
The alliance Dedolant so carefully crafted? Benito just scored an Olympic-level own goal. And Artria? Acting like a loose cannon on a battlefield.
“Artria has proposed that we join forces and attack the Empire together!”
Of course, Artria was quick to needle Nobogorod for its antics. “Oh, you’re just upset because your little drama didn’t go according to plan!” But instead of backing down, Nobogorod’s demons flipped the script, turning their anger on Artria and calling them deceitful schemers.
Which is totally what we had planned all along. With a little help from Charlotte (who’s got more than a few tricks up her sleeve) and Chairperson Kalande, the situation escalated beautifully into full-blown chaos.
Now everyone’s pointing fingers: “It’s those Artria bastards!” “No, it’s all Nobogorod’s fault!” Meanwhile, the eastern kingdoms that have cozied up to the Empire are nodding solemnly, while southern kingdoms like Holy Kingdom and a few others are gleefully throwing shade from the sidelines.
Because let’s not forget—pretty much everyone here has had at least one round with the Empire, and they’ve been left battered and bruised. There was zero incentive to root for the Empire, except for the fact that the Empire recently turned on its famous charm, saying, “Let’s all be BFFs!” It seems that patience finally paid off.
“Alright, the truth is out. What’ll you do now?”
Interestingly, the Empire has yet to take an official stance. Why bother when their lackeys are doing all the shouting for them? Let them keep shouting while the Empire quietly watches. Perfect for the ultimate power move—observe, calculate, wait for the perfect moment to step in.
The Empire’s silence speaks volumes. It isn’t brooding or undecided; it’s weighing its options, possibly contemplating wiping everyone off the map. That’s the vibe everyone’s picking up, anyway.
And so Dedolant, realizing it’s getting more heat than a frying pan on full blast, reverted to its tried-and-true strategy: war. They restarted their conflict with Dugal, taking the fight to new levels and seizing their crown jewel, the capital.
“d*mn amateurs. Seriously no help.”
Sure, they had expected some resistance when they pushed into Dugal’s territory. Unlike Ross Tannika, which boasts a naval juggernaut, Dugal prided itself on its land-based forces. But guess what? Dugal fell faster than a house of cards under a breeze, and Dedolant ran rampant, leaving behind devastation.
[Dugal Royalty Fled to Ross Tannika. Only a few loyal nobles accompanied.]
Thus, with their king abandoning ship, Dugal ceased to exist as a kingdom. The king’s flight was more than a strategic retreat; it was a betrayal of their people, a grave insult no one would soon forgive.
“Ross Tannika! What crime have they committed? They trusted Dugal and formed alliances because they believed in Dugal’s strength, but now—this? Their so-called ally crumbled in front of their eyes, and the king himself fled like a coward.”
Right now, Ross Tannika’s leadership must be screaming bloody m*rder over this betrayal. Dedolant would never let them rest. With Dugal gone, Ross Tannika was surely their next target.
So, here we are. Everyone’s waiting on the Empire to make its move. How long can silence last before it speaks?
And then, two weeks later, the answers arrived.
[Western Legion Expansion. Two legions each from the North, East, and South regions were reallocated to the West.]
[The Western Legion has been redesignated as the Empire’s First Army and will comprise 11 divisions.]
[Creation of the General Staff. An independent entity supporting the War Office but wielding its own authority.]
And I? Let’s just say my official assignment to the newly minted General Staff was made by royal decree. Time to get to work.
