Introduction: Jack, Tom, Violet, and Murdoch are friends from school. War clouds loom over their island nation of Paxana, and an invasion of the neighboring Midlands seems likely. The son of a rich businessman, Jack heads to the capital to make his name in politics. Tom joins up with the Army Engineering Labs to make enough money to marry Violet. Violet, meanwhile, joins up with a deathgate coven of the mysterious National Sorceress Corps. All the while, Murdoch is investigating a deep-rooted Army conspiracy as an Integrity Office captain.The coming battle for the future of the Sunberth will change all their lives beyond recognition.What to expect:A fantasy world with intricately modeled 1930s-ish geopolitics. A lot of attention to detail in weapons, tactics, logistics, and national economy.A plot that feels like a high-budget TV show.Four consistent POV characters whose paths cross and split.Magic usage as a paramilitary government branch.Lots of intrigue. A new revelation in every chapter and a new chapter almost every day.Sexism, (fantasy) racism, homophobia, and similar views depicted in a nuanced and period-influenced way, not as endorsement.A proud island nation losing its innocence as it modernizes and begins a massive, brutal expeditionary war.What not to expect:Clean moral decisions. (The characters are moral, but they are driven by Paxanan morality, which is different than ours.)Harem, LitRPG, isekai, or progression elements.Sex and violence for their own sake. They exist to serve the story.High fantasy elements like elves, dragons, gods, et cetera.POV character deaths.Major combat in the first act (it's a buildup to conflict).----(This story is a participant entry in the Royal Road Writathon challenge.)...