《Naval Gacha System: It's Time To Monopolize The Seven Seas!》


 Chapter 1: | 001 | Naval Gacha System

    As he opened his eyelids, a middle-aged man gazed upon the evergreen leaves where the strands of radiant light pierced in shimmering glee. His mind muffled with echoes of the past as though reminding him of who he was.


    Initially, the middle-aged man was disgruntled by his muddled mind. But with time, he regained his lucidness and calm.


    It was then, the raven-haired man realized the circumstances he was in. Waking up in the middle of nowhere didn''t do good for his mind, but opening his eyes after dying put him in a daze.


    His name was Abraham Shepherd. A rather cool-sounding name for an ordinary office worker who shut himself off from the world. His life was mostly working and gaming.


    Guess how he died?


    "I can''t believe I got a heart attack during a match." He ruffled his hair and wryly smiled. His teammates were probably ming him for being AFK in the middle of the game.


    Abraham touched his chest and slowly grasped it tightly. Dying of a cardiac arrest wasn''t a pleasant experience. It wasn''t an instantaneous death but a gradual one.


    He remembered hisst moments ofying coldly on the floor. At that moment, he couldn''t move a single muscle. Resounding memories about it were horrifying for him.


    When he was about to die. A heavy pressure weighed on his chest. It was as if some bastard hit him hard with a hammer. The pressure was difficult to handle, especially when it felt like he was suffocating.


    Abraham clearly recalled the helplessness he felt during that moment. There was no one and nothing that could save him. After all, he was alone.


    "My stomach feels sick." He muttered as his heartbeat got faster and stronger. The reaction was somewhatte for a body confronted with the experience of death.


    It took a minute for his body to calm down and move on from what had happened. But, it will take time for his mind to adapt to such an ordeal.


    "Dying surely is a strange experience," Abraham whispered to himself and watched the beautiful greenery from above.


    From his understanding, he was in a forest in the middle of nowhere. He didn''t know how he got here, especially when he had just recently died.


    Though... As he was a cultured individual, he confidently concluded his thoughts with a single word.


    Transmigration.


    Abraham didn''t know how, but the middle-aged man didn''t care. What mattered was that he was alive to see the world once more. However, since he was transmigrated, he couldn''t help but wonder.


    Was this a fantasy world? A reality where monsters, cat girls, castles, and magic exist? He wanted an answer to this question.


    However, to answer it, he must move onward and explore the world.


    ''But I don''t have confidence in surviving in this world. Ick any survival skills, so I''ll probably die in this forest.''


    It was a sad thought, yet it was the truth. He was a middle-aged man and an ordinary office worker. Most of all, he was a loser who had no life.


    He spent the entirety of his free time in front of aputer, wasting his life away merely to trash-talk other people while also cursing if he lost.


    So, he had no confidence in surviving.


    ''This pessimistic thought process isn''t helping me in this situation.'' Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as he steadily clenched his fist. He moved it upward as though reaching the leaves-covered skies.


    "I don''t want to die again. I hate the helpless feeling of waiting for my inevitable death the most."


    "Even if I have no chance of survival, I must struggle for my life."


    "I shouldn''t give up."


    The mes of determination ignited in his jet-ck irises.


    If it was before, he would have given up as reality stacked up against him. But after tasting the actuality of death for the first time. Something inside him wanted to rebel against it.


    And he felt alive because of such a rebellion.


    With Abraham''s newly-gained resolution for his life, he sluggishly stood up. His body wobbled when he got up on his two feet. But with time, he was able to regain his bnce.


    After getting rid of the dust on his clothes, he scanned his surroundings with unparalleled scrutiny. He immediately made a conjecture.


    He seemed to be stranded on a tropical ind, which was a piece of good news. Being grounded on a deserted northern ind would have increased his chances of dying.


    "I can smell the sea from here. It''s nearby." Abraham walked towards the smell of the sea. He passed through the thick bushes and leaves, making them rustle and crunch as he walked by.


    After trekking for quite some time, a gleaming light pierced from the evergreen bushes. The sound of waves hitting the beach rang in his ears.


    As he parted the shimmering bushes before him, he was met with a spectacr sight. There was a long crescent-shaped beach brimming with golden sand. The waves seemed to glitter with the dazzling light of the sun.


    The breeze of the sea passed through his body and ruffled his raven-colored hair. He could smell its scent more distinctively than ever before.


    For someone who was in a cold, monotone, and somber city. This was a picturesque view to behold.


    "I guess transmigrating to another world has its beauty," Abraham mumbled to himself as the edges of his lips slightly rose. He was rtively looking forward to his life in this new world.


    Nheless, he noticed the vastness of the crescent-shaped beach. It spanned a couple of kilometers, which made him think of its potential.


    ''Now¡­ How do I survive on this ind?'' He thought in wonder as numerous ideas passed through his mind. While he had no survival skills, he wasn''t entirely ignorant of the ways of survival.


    "Luckily, a coconut tree still exists in this world." Abraham turned his gaze towards the line of coconut trees waiting to be conquered.


    He had no idea how to get a coconut safely from the palm tree, but its avability gave him some relief.


    "It looks like the first few days will be rough." He lightly chuckled and squatted on the luminous sand. He casually gazed forward into the lines of the boundless horizon.


    But as he watched the horizon with wonder, he noticed a misty figure moving in its borders. It was humanoid in shape and looked tiny whenpared to the horizon.


    ''What the-'' Abraham squinted his eyes and tried to make sense of what he was seeing. However, no matter how much he thought about it. He only reached one conclusion.


    Such a creature shouldn''t be possible.


    ''Is this madness already seeping into my mind? It hasn''t been an hour yet since I woke up. I didn''t think I would be this sensitive.'' He wanted tough at himself.


    "Well, at least, my hallucinations aren''t too bad." There were worse things that could happen when madness consumes one''s mind. He was lucky to have mostly kept himself.


    Though¡­ Out of nowhere. Something cold and mechanical rang out inside his head.


    *Ding!*


    "Damn, I shouldn''t have said that." Abraham thought that his madness was worsening. He was even hearing things despite being stranded in the middle of nowhere.


    Sadly for the middle-aged man, it was far from over.


    | Initializing Naval Gacha System¡­ |


    A digital screen materialized out of nowhere. It had a message written on it, and it reported the initialization of a system. These phenomena made Abraham remember something important.


    He was transmigrated to another world. A world that might be different from his former one. A reality where the heavens and earth could really turn upside down.


    Giant monsters should be possible, especially if magic possibly existed.


    And as one would expect from a transmigration, the transmigrated one would received his cheat.


    It was in the form of a system.


    Abraham excitedly stood up from the ground and couldn''t stop himself from grinning. The digital screen might be his madness acting up, but it might also be real.


    "Naval Gacha System. That''s something new. However, why must it be a gacha system?" He was a bit disappointed. Even so, as he had said before, it was better than nothing.


    "I hope I''m lucky in this second life of mine." He sped his hands together in prayer to RNG God and silently observed the digital screen before him.


    After some time, several digital screens materialized. The previous one instantly disappeared and was reced by the new screens.


    The cold and mechanical notification bell rang out again.


    *Ding!*


    | Naval Gacha System Initialized! |


    | System Apparatus Operational¡­ |


    | Gacha Network Secured¡­ |


    | Administrative Host Verified¡­ |


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd! You have initiated the Naval Gacha System. Would you like to know more? |


    Along with the notifications was a feminine monotone voice calmly reporting them. It sounded robotic yet fairly human. If one would describe it, it resembled a virtual assistant.


    Abraham ced a finger on his chin and thought about the voice and the digital screens. He wasn''t ignorant of systems, so he wasn''t extremely dumbfounded by it. But nevertheless, he still felt perplexed.


    The first thing he needed to do was seek for information. And ording to the voice, there was more information about the system he needed to know about.


    "I''d like to know more." Abraham discreetly uttered, despite having no one or nothing beside him. It felt stupid to act in such a way, but why not make it a habit of his?


    In the future, he''ll meet others. While there was a possibility that he could use his thoughts, it was better to train his mouth to be consistently quiet.


    *Ding!*


    | Wee to the Naval Gacha System. |


    | The purpose of the system is to aid the Administrative Host in their endeavors. To do so, the Fleet Admiral can trigger a spin to receive modern warships or ships. There''s no need for the Fleet Admiral to worry about ship personnel as the system would grant them with the warship. |


    | Despite maintaining their superior intelligence, Personnel granted by the system will be eternally loyal to the Fleet Admiral. They will ept any orders regardless of how iprehensible they may seem. |


    | To trigger a spin, the Fleet Admiral must acquire Naval Points. These points can be gained through thepletion of Naval Tasks. Through Gacha, all modern warships or ships, big and small, are avable for the Fleet Admiral to obtain. |


    | Would you like to know more? |


    The information presented by the monotone voice and the digital screen was of several magnitude higher than before. But through them, Abraham received a greater understanding of the Naval Gacha System.


    He felt excited about his newly-activated system. Its potential was vast. The ability to redeem modern warships and ships with itsplete personnel was a force to be reckoned with.


    Abraham couldn''t stop thinking about the possibilities. The path of his future gleamed brightly for him to see. His fate was tied to the seas, so there was only one thing for him to do.


    "It''s time to monopolize the seven seas!"

 Chapter 2: | 002 | System Apparatus: Systema

    In the middle of the golden crescent-shaped beach of a peculiar ind was a lone middle-aged man staring at nowhere and somewhere. He appeared to be excited despite having nothing but a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.


    "Hmm¡­" Abraham was tempted to learn more about the system. But before doing so, he had to establish something important. What kind of system did he get?


    He wasn''t talking about the type of system but the kind of system.


    "The one with the monotone voice. Who and what are you?" He straightforwardly questioned. The system might not answer, but it was worth the try.


    Luckily for Abraham though, the voice responded to his question.


    A mechanical bell rang inside his mind and what followed was the feminine monotone voice.


    *Ding!*


    | I am the System Apparatus, the Processor of the Naval Gacha System. |


    The answer was frank as though it was stating a fact. There was noplex exnation about who or what it was. It simply responded to his question.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow when he first heard of its answer. It answered him, but it mostly left him with more questions than answers.


    So without any hesitation, the middle-aged man decided to continue digging.


    "I''d like to know more about the System Apparatus."


    *Ding*


    | The System Apparatus is the processor of the system. It must maintain the gachawork and the system''s operations as the Naval Gacha System requires the processing power of the System Apparatus to operate. |


    | The Administrative Host''s worries are understandable. However, the power of the System Apparatus is mainly handling the system''s logistics. It has no capability of revoking the summoned warships and personnel. It also has no authority over them. |


    Abraham raised an eyebrow after hearing the monotone voice''s response. Its name was the System Apparatus, and it was nothing but the processor of the system. So it wasn''t the system.


    Though¡­ There was also a possibility that it could be lying. Perhaps the information before Abraham was merely a ruse by the System Apparatus.


    "How do I know that you aren''t lying?" He asked with a tinge of caution.


    *Ding!*


    | The System Apparatus has no capabilities of lying or omission of knowledge. |


    The System Apparatus was bing better at persuading him. But one must never underestimate the cautiousness of a middle-aged man.


    "Well, then¡­ What do you think of me?" For some reason, Abraham felt that he shot himself in the leg this time.


    *Ding!*


    | A Loser¡­ |


    The middle-aged man unconsciously felt the System Apparatus about to throw him a barrage of emotion-damaging missiles. He wanted to stop it, but sadly, he was toote.


    | A human being with lower physique strength than an average teenager. Someone with high IQ but low EQ. A bottom feeder in human society that only spreads hate through trash-talking. A middle-aged man who has no life, no wife, and no b*tches of any kind. |


    | A disappointment to parents, but is motherless and fatherless. Even the devil felt sorry after discovering how much of a human failure one could be. |


    | Despite having a considerable talent in trash talking, the subject gets petrified of personally talking to others with sapience. So, the talent meant nothing. |


    | Would you like to know more? |


    "N-No¡­ I don''t want to hear more about it." Abraham''s cheeks flushed in crimson red. He was embarrassed to be roasted by some artificial intelligence. This was probably the first.


    "System Apparatus, do you hate me? No, you must hate me. That sounds like someone who I killed their mother and father would say." He said exasperatedly since the voice was too unhinged to have nothing behind it.


    There was no way that the snarky voice didn''t have any abhorrence towards him when it uttered its so-called truthful words. Even the most pragmatic and straightforward individual wouldn''t say such things in the voice''s manner.


    *Ding!*


    | The System Apparatus only speaks the truth and doesn''t converse through emotions. |


    | However, if the Administrative Host is offended by the words spoken by the System Apparatus. I humbly apologize to the Administrative Host. |


    | But nevertheless, the System Apparatus is incapable of uttering lies. So, regardless of how the Administrative Host desires praise, the System Apparatus can only speak the truth. |


    | If the Administrative Host improves as a human, a man, and a leader. Maybe the truth will change and turn, for the better. |


    "I see¡­ I guess you''re kind of right." Abraham felt conflicted regarding the System Apparatus. It insulted him directly or indirectly, but it also didn''t give up on him.


    Unlike the others.


    The memories of the past reminded him once again. He was irritated by remembering such memories, but it was something that would always be with him.


    As long as he was alive, it would be stuck deep into his heart, shackled by thousands of chains.


    Anyhow, the System Apparatus was an interestingpanion to have. But its name was too long andplicated to say. So, he wondered if he could call it through a nickname.


    "System Apparatus, can I give you a nickname?"


    *Ding!*


    | The System Apparatus understands theplexities thate with its name. The Administrative Host can call the System Apparatus any name they desire. |


    "Well, then. I''ll call you Systema. I gave this name a lot of thought, so you better not yap about it." A smile was on Abraham''s face. Conversing with someone else would always be his favorite pastime.


    Though, admittedly, only through the safety of being alone. If the System Apparatus was in front of him, he wouldn''t be able to utter a single word.


    Instead, he would be crippled by fear of personally talking to someone.


    *Ding!*


    | Nickname [Systema] epted! Albeit not original, it''s within eptable range. |


    The sidement was not needed. But he could only hear it muttered in his mind in a monotone voice. He sighed at how passive-aggressive Systema was.


    Nevertheless, it was the result of an intelligence made to speak the truth without realizing how painful such truths can be.


    Abraham could only consider Systema as the logical side of his mind. Something that would speak the truth regardless of his feelings.


    ''I guess that frees Systema from bias.'' He thought to himself and decided to continue on with his exploration of the Naval Gacha System. Yet before he could do so, another mechanical bell rang in his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral has received the Naval Beginner Gift Pack. |


    | To unlock the Naval Intermediate Gift Pack, the Fleet Admiral must meet the following requirements. (Construct 5 Ports), (Complete 10 Naval Tasks), (Obtain 25 Warships) |


    Unexpectedly, Abraham received a beginner gift pack. One of the priced treasures in games. Although such gift packs only worsened gamers'' addiction.


    But perhaps, maybe that was the actual goal.


    "Naval Beginner Gift Pack¡­ Please open it, Systema." He didn''t wish to hesitate and waste more time. There were a lot of things he could do in theing period.


    *Ding!*


    | Opening Naval Beginner Gift Pack¡­ |


    | Naval Beginner Gift Pack Unwrapped! The Fleet Admiral has received the following items. (Port Creation Ticket), (Random Naval Spin Coupon) |


    Systema''s monotone voice echoed inside his mind. But Abraham''s thoughts were encapstedpletely by the rewards he had received.


    The Port Creation Ticket sounded the most obvious. It should solve his problem of wondering where to ce his warships. Albeit, he pondered about the second gift.


    The Random Naval Spin Coupon was something that seemed familiar to Abraham. Though, he had a hard time getting his mind over it.


    ''Ah, right¡­ I forgot. This is the gacha.'' Abraham felt stupid to have forgotten something important. The recent games he yed disyed the spin feature as banners. A strategy for the spoken game is to avoid directly stating themselves as gacha games.


    After discovering that it was the gacha spin, he wanted to immediately use it. But luckily, he didn''t fall to such horrible temptations. He had to be rational while deploying these gifts.


    Otherwise, things might be problematic for the middle-aged man.


    "Before using the coupon, I must construct the port first," Abraham muttered and gazed forward at the crescent-shaped beach. This ce was the best location for a port.


    It looks like hisdy luck was working for him.


    "System, use the Port Creation Ticket."


    *Ding!*


    | Activating Port Creation Ticket! |


    | Please input the port''s name¡­ |


    The name of the port was something he didn''t think of at first. He seriously thought about it for some time and gave another unoriginal name to the port.


    For a gamer who prided themselves oning up with at least umon names. He was unexpectedly naming his assets in their mostmon moniker.


    "It will be called the Port of Dawn," Abraham said with endless pride as though he had done the port a favor.


    *Ding!*


    | Port name epted! |


    | 1,000 utility personnel established! |


    | Basic port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities'' blueprints recorded! |


    | Port of Dawn Constructing¡­ |


    A golden and radiant light slowly radiated outwards from Abraham''s body. It consumed everything in its path like an unstoppable tide. He was nervous at first but calmed down when he realized it was the construction.


    He calmly waited and felt the ground he was standing on rising. One would expect the earth to rumble and the skies to part when creation was being made.


    But it went smoothly without rough shaking in the nearby surroundings.


    ''The capabilities of the Naval Gacha System isn''t to be underestimated.'' Abraham had realized the unrivaled power of the systems. They practically bordered reality warping.


    The only problem they had was the requirements of their abilities to be used. They follow strict rules and guidelines like typical programs.


    Abraham then shook his head and got rid of his thoughts. This wasn''t the time to think about what, who, and why of the systems. His first priority must be the port.


    After some time, the golden and radiant light took shape. They slowly formed into various infrastructures and facilities of the port. Such a scene made him a bit exhrated.


    Minutester, the golden light slowly faded into the background. While observing the change, the mechanical bell rang inside Abraham''s mind.


    *Ding!*


    | The Port of Dawn has been constructed! |


    | Congrattions on your first port, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. |

 Chapter 3: | 003 | Port of Dawn

    The beautiful crescent-shaped beach of the lone ind had long faded into the memories of those who had seen it. What reced the gorgeous beach was the smooth concrete ground of a massive yet empty port.


    Standing inside the entrance of the Port of Dawn, Abraham nced forward with curiosity evident on his face. He stood in the middle of the road leading deeper to the port.


    However, the road didn''t lead anywhere on the ind. It merely resided in the port.


    The Port of Dawn was gargantuan in size as it consumed the entirety of the crescent-shaped beach, yet it was mostly empty. Only a quarter of itsnd was filled to the brim with various structures and facilities.


    "I didn''t think the port would be this huge," Abraham muttered in amazement.


    There was a single five-story concrete building with several antennas on its roof. Beside it were three giant warehouses followed by a crane. A yard for containers also dwelled, but it was dested as the port had no cargo ships to operate.


    Before Abraham could continue observing the modern buildings of the port, an engine roared. It sounded like a car, making him raise an eyebrow.


    It got louder in seconds, giving him the realization that a car was heading towards him. Unconsciously, he felt anxious. It was like he intruded on a ce he shouldn''t be in.


    ''Ah, sh*t! What do I do?'' Abraham nervously thought since he was about to meet humans that mighte from the same world as him.


    Despite being their superior, it was hard for him to feel like one. After all, it was like the rank of Fleet Admiral was casually handed to him.


    He was a trash-talking guy behind the screen of a monitor, but the same couldn''t be said in real life. He wasn''t pompous and would act like a typical introvert.


    "Systema, I need your backup." Abraham decided to ask hispanion for assistance. Immediately, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Fleet Admiral, the personnel wouldn''t care how you act before them. Even if the Fleet Admiral behaves like a child, they would still conduct themselves like a son would act to their respectable father. |


    Systema''s words made him a bit delighted, but he furrowed his eyebrows after thinking about it. He didn''t desire to act like his former self. He wanted to change for the better.


    And to change, he must leave hisfort zone and be one with the world.


    "I want to be the Fleet Admiral they deserve, Systema," Abraham uttered with unrivaled determination.


    It was unfortunate for him to not see Systema in her humanoid form. Otherwise, he would be able to see the satisfied and proud smile of a mother.


    *Ding!*


    | If that is what the Fleet Admiral desires, Systema will assist. |


    | First, calm yourself and stand straight. |


    Without any hesitation, Abraham followed her words. He calmed his heart down to its normal level by breathing in and out deeply. Afterward, he straightened his back.


    | When your subordinates arrive. Look at them calmly in the eye. You must never avoid their gaze and must meet them on the same terms. |


    "Understood¡­" He nodded while the feminine monotone voice continued.


    | When they speak to you. Talk to them slowly and coolly. No need to be fast, or talk like an overbearing man. |


    | After all, there''s no need to dominate those who are already following you with unparalleled loyalty. Their respect has no need to be demanded for they already respect the Fleet Admiral. |


    Other than being snarky, Systema was great at giving advice. Her words made sense to Abraham and made him easily understand it.


    However, understanding and doing something was different from one another.


    "Do you think I''ll be able to do it, Systema?" Abraham questioned with uncertainty. Inferiority and doubts would always affect one''s mind regardless of their age.


    It wasn''t something that could be avoided. However, one could move forward regardless of their doubts.


    *Ding!*


    | The first step is the hardest and heaviest, Fleet Admiral. |


    | Take a step forward and be who you want to be. |


    "I see¡­" Systema''s words echoed deeply inside his mind. He wanted to push himself out of his cocoon. He wished to be something other than a loser or an ordinary office worker.


    So, he must take the first step.


    The vehicle soon arrived near the port''s entrance. Abraham''s eyes observed it and noticed that it was a Humvee in its desert camouge. Inside were probably soldiers or officers.


    As the Humvee stopped before Abraham, the ones inside it stepped out with serious faces. He could feel his heart wildly beating after seeing them.


    But he took a deep breath and calmed himself once again.


    There were four infantry soldiers and a single officer heading towards him. He didn''t know their ranks, but he was confident that the Fleet Admiral was the highest in the navy.


    When the entourage of navy personnel stood in front of him. They saluted at the same time and the officer introduced himself to his highestmander.


    "Lieutenant Commander Morgen, Fleet Admiral Shepherd."


    The lieutenantmander wore a calf-length wool bridge coat woven in navy blue. A dark blue suit-trousers and a pair of ck boots. Above his head was the typical ivory officer peak hat d in golden-colored ornaments.


    Compared to the breathtaking clothes of the lieutenantmander, the Fleet Admiral wore casual clothing, making him look like he came from a vacation.


    ''I want to wear such drippy clothes.'' Abraham silently thought to himself before responding to the lieutenantmander with a nod.


    "At ease, Lieutenant Commander Morgen."


    He said as slowly and coolly as possible while gazing at the lieutenantmander''s eyes. He wondered to himself if he was doing things right.


    "It''s an honor to be in your presence, Fleet Admiral. The Port of Dawn is privileged for being chosen as the Fleet Admiral''s first port."


    Morgen said with respect emanating from his eyes. Abraham felt confused and wondered if it was the effect of eternal loyalty. Fortunately, Systema gave him his answer.


    *Ding!*


    | Requesting Perspective Change¡­ |


    | Target (Fleet Admiral Shepherd), Receiver (Lieutenant Commander Morgen). |


    Abraham raised an eyebrow but epted the request. He also wondered what he looked like from the perspective of others.


    | Request Validated! |


    | Changing Perspective¡­ |


    His perspective slowly changed and transferred to the sight of the lieutenantmander. For the first time in his life, he saw himself in the eyes of others.


    ''Damn, why do I look so cold and authoritarian? Shouldn''t I be sweating like a bastard? I didn''t think I would look so good.'' Abrahammented in his mind upon unveiling his appearance.


    He stood silently in casual clothing with sharp eyes and an aloof face. He seemed a bit revitalizedpared to his former self.


    *Ding!*


    | What your mind considers as your appearance doesn''t mean that it''s your true appearance. It all depends on mindset. If you portray yourself positively, your appearance will change in the eyes of others and yourself. |


    | And even though the Administrative Host is always anxious in front of others. In reality, they would only see this appearance of you. A cold middle-aged man. |


    The words of the feminine and monotone Systema gave Abraham tons of confidence. He wouldn''t have believed others if they had said the same thing. But Systema was different.


    The snarky one would speak the truth. It utters nothing but facts. It doesn''t intend to praise him or pretend that he was better than anyone else. It was merely stating its logic.


    "Thank you for weing me, Lieutenant Morgen. How about you introduce this port of yours?"


    Abraham said with a slight smile on his face as the other nodded in eptance.


    "Affirmative! Follow me, Fleet Admiral." Morgen walked towards the Humvee while the infantry soldiers stayed back to guard the entrance.


    ''I''m doing better than expected. I should have gone through an acting career.'' Abraham felt pride in his acting skills. However, a mechanical bell rang unexpectedly.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral might win an award for his acting skills. |


    ''I know right.'' Abraham felt pride after hearing the praise of Systema. But after thinking about it, he felt strange.


    ''Hey, did you reply to my thoughts? And was that sarcasm?'' He questioned, though he was met with silence. However, after a second, Systema responded with one word.


    | Yes |


    ''What is that answer responding to? The first or second one?'' Abraham felt confused but decided to give up asking the cranky Systema. Nevertheless, he was sure of one thing.


    Systema might be able to hear his thoughts. This possibility had always been floating inside his head. After all, Systema had always been prepared to answer his questions.


    It perfectly responded to what he wanted to know instead of expositing information that he didn''t desire to understand.


    Abraham wasn''t really bothered by it. His thoughts weren''t shrouded in deep secrets. But, Systema would be in for an horrific adventure in the future. Especially when his thoughts sometimes bear interesting ideas.


    While he kept thinking about how he would torment Systema with his devious thoughts, Morgen began introducing the various parts of the Port of Dawn.


    "The Port of Dawn is divided into several sectors. From the manufacturing, transportation, and defense sector."


    Abraham could see factories through the windows of the Humvee. There were dozens of trucks, making the sector appear busy.


    There was also a residential area for utility personnel of the port while there were barracks for military personnel. Despite appearing small on the outside, the Port of Dawn resembled a tiny town on the inside.


    This made him hopeful about his future as the Fleet Admiral. It also made him want to be someone who deserved it all.

 Chapter 4: | 004 | Random Naval Spin Coupon

    In the Humvee driving through the road, the lieutenantmander exined the intricacies of the port.He reported its three main sectorswhichwere the Manufacturing, Transportation, and DefenseSectors.


    "The Manufacturing Sector consists of about half of the current facilities we have in the port. Whether it''d be manufacturing supplies, ammunition, ordnances, and armaments. The sector would be able to produce such things as long as they have their needed materials."


    "At the moment, the Manufacturing Sector iscurrentlyclosedwithits utility personnel having an indefinite day off for the time being.The same could be said with the Transportation Sector since we have no avable cargo ships."


    "Speaking of the Transportation Sector, it is thearea of the portdedicated to transporting products, materials, and personnel. It owns half of the empty area in the port. After all, when things set off for the better."


    "We can expect for the port to be busy."


    While Morgen exined the first two sectors, the Humvee passed through the Transportation Sector. It was filled with yards and warehouses. There were also several cranes lying here and there throughout thesector.


    Abraham also noticed the rail station and a railway, citing the possibility of a railroad epassing the entirety of the indin the future.


    He smiled while watching the beautiful scenery of the modern world.


    At any rate, he continued listening to the exnation of the lieutenantmander.


    "Finally, the Defense Sector. This ce is exclusively used by military personnel. Itis equipped witha radar station, a runway, and dozens of defensive fortifications of the Anti-Air, Anti-Surface, and Anti-Submarine ssifications."


    With that, Morgen concluded his introduction of the Port of Dawn. Abraham nodded in understanding as a sign ofprehension of the port''s structure.


    Although the port was at its basic level, it was a formidable military base. It madehimwonder what the port would look like in its second or third level.


    The Humvee soon arrived at their destinationwhichwas the branch office of the port.It was where logistics would be handled. Morgen and Abraham stepped out of the vehicle while the Humvee drove off.


    Morgen led Abraham into the branch office building. It was an 8th-story concrete building with dozens of antennas and windows. There was even a Phnx C-RAM on its rooftop.


    Inside the branch building, the lieutenantmander stopped walking and looked back at the respected Fleet Admiral. He saluted at him and announced his departure.


    "Sir, I will be departing to my office for logistic handling. Your office should be on the sixth floor with your uniform ready to be worn."


    "Thank you for guiding me, lieutenantmander. I''ll get myself ready." Abraham noddedandthe lieutenantmander left after ending the salute.


    Abraham was left alone in the branch office''s hall. He looked around and noticed some navy personnel in their desk jobs. It looks like emerging in the middle of nowhere has itsownfair share of problems.


    He couldn''t help but rte to those who supported the navy with their aching fingers.


    Anyhow, he shook his head and walked towards the elevator door. He pressed the button pointing upwards and waited for the elevator toe down.


    Several secondster, the elevator arrived on the ground floorandits metallic doors slid open. Inside were several navy personnel looking athimin shock before saluting to their highest supervisor.


    "Fleet Admiral, wee to the Port of Dawn."


    "It''s an honor, Fleet Admiral."


    "Good morning, Sir."


    The personnel had various introductions, towhich Abraham responded with a nod.ording to Systema,it was good to bea man of few words.


    He must only talk when neededto, which coincided with what he desired. After all, despite wanting to change, he was an introvertin and out.


    Some silence was calming for the middle-aged man.


    Abraham stood in front of the navy personnel. As the elevator rose to the sixth level of the branch office, he felt the observing gazes of the navy personnel.


    It made him a bit nervous, but he didn''t let it affect him too muchashe understood that his rank probably attracted attention.


    When the elevator arrived on the sixth floor. Its metallic doors slid openandthe Fleet Admiral stepped out of its confines. He looked back at the navy personnel behind him andnodded with a smile.


    The navy personnel alsogave their beaming smileas the elevator closed and rose from the sixth level. Abraham turned his gaze forward and was met with a long hallway.


    He walked through it with silent steps. He observed the paintings and pictures stered upon its walls. After some time, he arrived at his destinationwhichwas a wooden double door.


    Abraham held its cold silver knob tightly and slowly turned it open. As he heard a clicking sound, he pushed forward and entered his office.


    "ssy." He remarked while stepping into his office. It was d with traditional luxury, which meantthat itwas filled with antiques. Froma painting depicting some naval war to a bookshelf filled with old maintained books.


    It resembled the office of a mafia''s godfather.


    Although the office was too ssy with its dark wooden ornate and ivory walls filled with marble, he liked its depiction of luxury. It made him feel a bit bossier than before.


    After locking the door to his office, Abraham walked towards the dark-brown wooden wardrobe near the bookshelf. He opened it with bothof hisarms and saw his naval uniform inside.


    It was a double-breasted bridge coat colored in dark blue with six golden buttons. Above it was his breast insignia with its five-star signature.Beside the bridge coat were his dark blue suit trousers, andon histrouserswasan ivory officer peak cap.


    The uniform appeared to be tailored for him,which gave him some feeling ofappreciation.At the very least, he wouldn''t wear clothingthat wastoo loose for him.


    Carefully taking out his uniform, Abraham began to wear them. As he wore the uniform one after another, he ended his session after cing the ivory officer peak cap on his head.


    He nced at the mirror in the wardrobe and couldn''t help but be enamored by his appearance.


    ''As expected, wearing drippy clothes does enhance one''s appearance.'' Abraham carefully thought while examining his figure.


    ''It looks like I''ll have to train myself.'' His arms appeared to be flimsy, which was the reality. Although, he felt a bit revitalized for some reason. He was still weaker than an average high school student.


    After entertaining the idea of training, he sat on his office chair and looked at the luxurious wooden table filled with various things.


    There was also his extravagant namete on the side of the table, which seemed expensive.


    ''This port must be rich, or am I some corrupt middle-aged man?'' Abraham thought and chuckled in his mind before bingserious.


    "I have to start my ns and let this port grow." He understood that his personal strength was lesser than none. His survival was tied to the port and its naval capacity and force.


    So,if he desiredto survive in this new world, he must make his naval forcestrongerthan anything else.


    With this thought process in mind, Abraham decided to question the existence of one thing.


    "Systema, does the status disy exist in the system?"


    The legendary status disy was the most integral part of the system. It was practically the most iconic thing one could corrte to a system.


    Following his question, the usual mechanical bell chimed in his head.


    *Ding!*


    | It does exist, Fleet Admiral. |


    | Would you like to open it? |


    | If so, say or think of the wordStatus. |


    With Systema''s instructions, Abraham took a deep breath and uttered the legendary system word.


    "Status."


    ¨D¨D¨D


    | Naval Gacha System |


    ¡ñ| Bases |


    ?| Port of Dawn(Level 0) |


    ¡ñ| Gacha |


    ?| Random Naval Spin(1,000 NP) |


    ¡ñ| Store |


    ?| None |


    -| Naval Points: (0) |-


    ¨D¨D¨D


    Out of nowhere, a digital screen materialized before his eyes. Inside it was information about his current circumstances. Orinother words, hisstatus.


    "Hmm¡­ Random Naval Spin must be the gacha, and the Naval Points should be thecurrency of the system. I only have one base,but itimplies I can have numerous bases under mymand."


    The information on the status screen was a piece of good news for Abraham. It made his sudden conjectures throughout the day have some weight.


    "To get theNPI need to activate the gacha. I must aplish Naval Tasks for its rewards." Abraham ced his finger below his chin and carefully thought about it.


    "But how do I get Naval Tasks? Is there something I need?" His question was answered with the following mechanical ring.


    *Ding!*


    | Naval Tasks will be assigned when the Fleet Admiral has a ship to utilize. It would also depend on the ship''s ssification. A cargo ship will receive a naval task of tradewhilewarships will operate in maritime security. |


    Through Systema''s exnation, Abraham understood that his Naval Tasks would depend on his ships. But it also made him hope to get a warship.


    After all, he hadn''t established supply or trading routes for cargo shipsto use.


    Who knows¡­ There might be sea monsters and pirates lurking in the high seas.


    "I''m feeling lucky today, soI guessit''s time." Abraham clenched his fist with determination. He didn''t care what kind of warship he got.Aslong as it was a warship, it was enough for the Fleet Admiral.


    "Use the Random Naval Spin Coupon, Systema." Seeding his words was the bell of Systema.


    *Ding!*


    | Random Naval Spin Selected! |


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    Abrahamwas watchingan arrow on a wheel rapidly spinning upon hundreds of names. He prayed for the RNG God to aid him in his venture into the realms of Gacha.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    Luckily for the middle-aged man, the RNG God answered with a smile.


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral! You have received (Arleigh Burke-ss Flight III Destroyer)! |

 Chapter 5: | 005 | UNS Light Bringer

    In the Fleet Admiral''s office, Abraham calmly gazed at the notification screenin front ofhim. A couple seconds passed before his eyebrows flickered in wonder. For some reason, it took 4-working days for his reaction to appear.


    "An Arleigh Burke-ss Destroyer? And a Flight III at that?" He felt incredulous and couldn''t believe what he was seeing. But nevertheless, it was the truth.


    He got a powerful destroyer as his first warship.


    ''Hehehehe~'' Abraham felt delighted inside his mind after discovering what he had received from the RNG God. It seems that thesystemwanted him to be addicted to gacha by giving him a mouthful of a reward.


    However, before the middle-aged man could continue relishing his first victory in RNG, a familiar mechanical bell rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral, for your first warship! You have taken your first step in building your Naval Force. Would you like to give it a name? |


    What followed the mechanical ring was Systema''s feminine monotone voice. Judging from her words, it seemsthat Systemawas requesting a name for his navy.


    Abraham thought about itfor a short momentand went through dozens of names. Since the name would be stered above his navy, he needed to be careful as it would probably be permanent.


    ''Hmm¡­ The Naval Gacha System rewards me with ships of every nation andanyss. They would probably look different from one another, especially their design element.''


    ''My navy would probably consist of fleets of warships from every nation in my former world. So, there should be one name perfect for it.'' At first, he thought of the name as somewhat cliche, but it fitted his navy''s circumstances the best.


    With this in mind, Abraham hardened his resolve and gave his naval force a name.


    "United Navy will be its name."


    "All nations, warships, armaments, and personnel of humanity from my former world under one banner. Advancing into the unknowns of this world. We will be united against any challenges thrown to us by destiny."


    For some reason,after giving his naval force its name, he feltpelled to state his reasons.Never did heknow,this would be the motto of the uing United World Government.


    But such was for the long and distant future.


    | Naval force name epted! |


    | Warships of the United Navy will be honored under the designation of UNS. |


    | Let the shining unity of the UN gleam through the seven seas! |


    From Systema''s words, even Abraham felt a bit excited. This cranky one was good at making others emotional despite having nothing but a monotone voice.


    "United Navy¡­" He reminded himself of the force hemanded in the high seas. He felt excitement seeping into his heart. It made him want to make it better and stronger.


    Though¡­ For now,hemust turnhisattention to the digital screen in front ofhim.


    ¡ñ| UNS Light Bringer |


    ?| The UNS Light Bringer is an Arleigh Burke-ss Destroyer of the Flight III ssification.It is an advanced guided-missile destroyerequippedwith thetest Spy-6 radaralong withthe updated Aegisbat system.It is capable of Anti-Air Warfare(AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare(ASuW). |


    ?| The Light Bringer has a discement of 9,000 long tons with a length of 155 meters and a beam of 20meters,Ithas a maximum speed of 31 knots and aplement of 360 officers and enlisted personnel. The destroyer also carries 2x MH-60R Seahawk helicopters with ASW and ASuW capabilities |


    ?| The main armament of the destroyer is its Mk 41 Vertical-Launching System(VLS) with its supporting armaments of a single 5-inch (127mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 (lightweight gun), a 20mm Phnx CIWS, two 25mm Mk 38 machine gun system in its port and starboard, and finally four 50-caliber guns. |


    ?| It also has two Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes with various types of torpedoes equipped. Lastly, it has a double hangar and helipad residing in its stern. |


    The information presented about the UNS Light Bringer was enlightening for Abraham.It made him aware of itscapabilities as a warship and alsogave the Fleet Admiral some confidence in the exploration of the high seas.


    ''I need all the confidence I can get.'' Abraham inwardly chuckled while looking through the windows with his gaze pointed at the only dock of the port.


    Beside the dock was a golden light radiantly piercing through its surroundings. It brought a lot of attention to the surrounding personnel.


    But luckily, the military police of the port handled it swiftly.Theycordoned the dockfor a momentwhile the destroyer slowly took its form.


    After some time, the golden light disappeared from the dock as if it didn''t exist. What reced it was a lone and moderately-sized warship floating along the waves.


    The UNS Light Bringer resembled a mechanical beast forged for war and destruction.A monstrous entity that would throw hot freedom warheads from across a thousand kilometers.


    Its existence would consolidate the Port of Dawn and the status of the United Navy. Abraham also doesn''t have to worry about getting eaten by seamonsters,if they ever existedin this world.


    *Ding!*


    | Tasks Prompt Avable! |


    The feminine and monotone voice ofSystemresounded in his ears. He raised an eyebrow after hearing her before realizingthat itwas the long-awaited Naval Task.


    ''I''ve been waiting for this.'' Abraham thought to himself, especially sincethe existence ofthe Naval Task wasimportantfor the growth of his naval force.


    If he wanted to get the naval points for gacha, aplishing Naval Tasks wasamandatoryactivity.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    Unfortunately, he couldn''t continue relishing his thoughts as he had an organization to manage.


    "Sir, this is Lieutenant Commander Morgen. Can Ie in?"


    Outside of the door was Morgen, hewas appalled by the emergence of a destroyer in the middle of his port. It appeared out of nowhere, without warning.


    But nevertheless, he also understood that the destroyer was a part of his Fleet Admiral''s warships. How such a ship could appear out of nowhere was a question he''d probably think of for the rest of his life.


    Though¡­Healso understood that the same could be said with the Port of Dawn. It materialized in the middle ofnowhere,and in a world far different from before.


    ''I guess the abilities of the Fleet Admiral can only be consideredasunnatural and powerful.'' Morgen thought to himself and slightly sighed.


    "Come in, Lieutenant Commander Morgen."


    With the confirmation of the Fleet Admiral, Morgen entered the office and saw the Fleet Admiral in his uniform. As expected, the highest ofmand looked incredibly good in theirrespective navy uniform.


    "How may I help you, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. Is there something wrong?" Abraham inquired with substantial eloquence.


    Before the transmigration, he would have cringed in acting in such a formal way.


    But now? It was a natural part of his job.


    ''I''m adapting fast.'' He quietly thought while gazing at the eyes of the Lieutenant Commander.


    "Nothing is wrong, Sir. The emergence of a destroyer merely brought some unwanted troubles to the port. A defensive action was nearly done, and it would have ended badly."


    Morgen stated his reasons for entering the office. While the Fleet Admiral was their highest officer, it was also Morgen''s duty to maintain the stability of the port.


    "I see¡­ Apologies for that, Lieutenant Commander. I''ll be giving warnings before summoning warships of our fleet." Abraham understood that summoning something out of nowhere wasn''t without consequence.


    It was fortunate that the port was in the process of stabilizing itself in this world. Otherwise, iftheywere military-ready, things would have ended badly for the destroyer.


    "No need for your apologies, Sir. Your understanding is enough for us. I have already said what I wanted to say, so I''ll take my leave." Morgen bowed and saluted to the Fleet Admiral.


    However, before he could turn his back on the Fleet Admiral, a question entered his ears.


    "Lieutenant Commander Morgen, how many personnel do we have In this portandwhat are its defensive capabilities?" Abraham calmly asked.


    Even though Morgen had already uttered the types of defensive fortifications in the port, he didn''t go into the specifics, which Abraham was curious about.


    "Sir, the Port of Dawn consists of 1,000 able-bodied personnel. Many are manufacturing specialists, some are transportation workers, and others are from the military."


    "Regarding the military. Specifically, we have the 25th Military Police Company consisting of 150 soldiers. There are also several dozen Humvees in our warehouse, several LMTV military trucks, numbers of m2A4 Bradleys'', and a couple of Multi-Mission Launchers(MML)."


    "We also fielded six UH-60M ck Hawks and two AH-64E Apaches in our airstrip, but they will have to undergo maintenance checks before being cleared to roam the skies."


    "Our defensive fortifications are bolstered by the MIM-104 Patriots and numbers of Phnx C-RAMs. The defensive capabilities of the Port of Dawn arepletely ordinary as we haven''t begun expanding our influence to other inds."


    Morgen''s exnation about their defensive capabilities made the Fleet Admiral smile.


    "Thank you for your exnation, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. It seems that our port is brimming with military hardware and vehicles. This will reinforce our safety in this unknown world and pave our path into the future."


    It was natural to praise the capabilities of his forces. The more functional guns they have, the better it would be.


    "You''re wee, Fleet Admiral Shepherd. As always, the Port of Dawn is honored to be in yourmand."


    He salutedatthe Lieutenant Commander and bowedonceagain before leaving the office.


    As silence encapsted the Fleet Admiral''s Office, Abraham thought aboutthe thingshe had learned from the Lieutenant Commander.


    While thinking, he slowly turned his gaze towards the bookshelves riddled with numerous books and knew that he had to learn the basics of naval strategies.


    Before waking up in this world, he thought he would never touch a bookeveragain. But it looks like he was far from correct.


    ''Systema, give me a Naval Task.''His gaze sharpened asthefamiliar mechanical ring and feminine monotone voiceofSystemechoed inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Naval Task mission issued! |


    | Prompting Mission ssification¡­ |


    | (Maritime Security) mission received! |

 Chapter 6: | 006 | Maritime Security Mission

    *Ding!*


    ¡ñ| Sea Surveince(Maritime Security Mission) |


    ?| The United Navy has little to no information regarding the seas theyfound themselvesplunged into. Their security is in a critical state. To stabilize the security of theUnited Navy and its region, the Fleet Admiral must deploy a warship for maritime security.


    The warship must follow the given sea routesandchallenges encountered along the way will be considered a part of the mission''s subtasks. (Reward: 1,000 Naval Points) |


    In the Fleet Admiral''s office was a middle-aged man staring at a wallwith a scrutinizing gaze. Most would have thought he had somekind ofgrudge against the wall, but such a conception was far from the truth.


    After all, he was merely reading the digital screen before him.


    When Abraham concluded his reading session. He understood the significance yetplexities of the mission. While he would like to immediately start it, no one knows what lurks in the seas beyond the horizon.


    So, he desired to be cautious and bide his time to prepare for the mission.


    ''But¡­ 1,000 Naval Points, huh. That''s another ship for me.'' He thought with subtle greed in his eyes. It was hard to control oneself when an opportunity arose in front of them.


    It was natural to take anopportunity,and unnatural to not acquire it. It requires great discipline, which he severelycked.


    However, he wasn''t alone in his endeavor. He hadsubordinates,andmostimportantly, Systema.


    "Systema, what is the stratagem of the Naval Task?" He silently muttered while a mechanical bell rang inside his head.


    *Ding!*


    | Patience, preparation, caution, and information. |


    Systema''s answer wasn''t much, but it coincided with what Abraham thought. Luckily, he wasn''t rash. Otherwise, there would be problems for him.


    ''I don''t have the ability to gain information about the seas.No locals have been discovered yet, though I doubt somethingactually resides on this ind other thanus.''


    ''Such a perfect yet empty ce. Either the locals I want tofind don''texist throughout the seas, orthere is somethingskulking on the ind. Thetter seems more probable.''


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as he realized that not only does he have to worry about the seas. He also needed to be wary about the ind the Port of Dawn dwelled.


    "I''ll have to make a n." He mumbled to himself and was about to start thinking about ideas to form his n. But before he could continueto do so, a knock resounded from his wooden double door.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    Abraham raised an eyebrow and wondered who could be his visitor. He tidied himself up and uttered to the other side with a calm voice.


    "Get in¡­" With his words, the double door openedandtwo individuals entered his office. One was the familiar Lieutenant Commander Morgen, while the other was an unknown officer.


    "Apologies for returning after recently leaving the office, Fleet Admiral.But I met an interesting individualon my way outwho requested to meet you."Morgen turned his gaze at the white-beardedold manbeside him.


    The white-beardedold manmerely gave a smile and stepped forward. He saluted Abraham and introduced himself.


    "I am Captain Lux of the UNS Light Bringer, Fleet Admiral."


    "It is pleasant to see the highest ofmand."


    Abraham realized that theold manwas the captain of thedestroyer he had recently summoned.It seems thatthe acquisition of ship personnel along with the warshipwastrue.


    "Good to see you, Captain Lux. You must have lots of questions about our circumstances." He said to the captain with a knowing smile.


    Captain Lux wore the typical ivory-colored navy officer uniform with a white peak cap over his head. He looked like a veteran, but almost all theold menin the United Navy resembled veterans. Which was understandable andmon sense.


    Old peoplethatst in an organization would always be regarded as veterans regardless of their ranks. Questioning why they look like veterans would be stupid, which Abraham realized.


    This made him throw such thoughts away and corrte the old personnel as veterans. It made sense, and it was easier than always makingparisons.


    ''Ican''tbelieve I just wasted mybraincells in a brain rot of a discussion.''Abraham thought to himself before cing his attention backtothe captain.


    "You''re correct, Fleet Admiral. I couldn''t understand how my ship appeared in an unknown port that was supposed to be part of the navy." Captain Lux was blunt about his confusion.


    "Well, the circumstances areplicated, Captain Lux. Weare currently residingin an unknown new world that might be totally different from our old one. As such, we need to gather more of our allies and gain a foothold in this foreign world."


    "The Port of Dawn is the only port of our navy in this world. And more warships will be expected in the future. After all, no one knows what beings reside in this alien world."


    Abraham calmly exined while Captain Lux listened. Getting summoned was unexpected, but arriving in a new world was more so.


    Luckily, the Fleet Admiralhas some way of summoningmore of their allies into the world.Especially with the unknown dangers that this world would present.


    "I see¡­ Thank you for the debriefing, Fleet Admiral. I''ma bitastounded to be in another world, but the UNS Light Bringer is ready and under yourmand." Captain Lux slightly bowed, though Abraham felt a bit perplexed.


    "So, are you not questioning about being in a new world?" Abraham thoughtthat thecaptain would require more information to believe in their situation.


    He didn''t expect the captain to immediately agree with him withoutanydy or hesitation. It felt a bit strange for the middle-aged man.


    "There is no need for me to question the words of the Fleet Admiral. I am confident that the Fleet Admiral will not fabricate something, especiallywhen it isrted to the United Navy." Captain Lux said with a smile brimming with wisdom.


    As expected, officers have ways in their words.


    "Your trust is appreciated, Captain Lux." The edges of Abraham''s lips rose, but he decided to change the subject. After all, he had to do something about the Naval Task.


    "But before continuingon, I''d likeforus to carry out a maritime security mission.What are your opinions about the mission, Captain Lux and Lieutenant Commander Morgen?"


    Abraham asked the opinion of the two about undertaking a maritime security mission in thesurrounding waters of the ind.


    Lieutenant Commander Morgen and Captain Lux thought about it for a short while.It was possible to carryout the maritime security mission, but they needed time.Such was their conclusion.


    "Performing a maritime security mission requires a lot of preparation and time, Fleet Admiral.Especially,when we are doing it for the first time." Captain Lux uttered his opinion.


    On the other hand, Lieutenant Commander Morgen followed and also exined his own reasoning.


    "The Port of Dawn will not be able to support the missionat the moment. The logistics haven''t been built. Our supplies also could onlyst us a month without any operation and a week if we underwent an operation."


    The issues given by the two high officers made sense. Abraham understood that reality was different from a movie. The mobilization of a naval force requires a lot of time and preparation.


    There was also the problem of the naval force doing it for the first time in an unknown sea. They needed information before even partaking in such a difficult task.


    "We also need a route for the maritime security mission, Sir." Captain Lux brought the requirement of a route to the mission. Which, at the moment, they didn''t have.


    But Abraham had something different in mind, heclosed his eyelids and pondered to Systema about the maritime security route. Luckily, Systema responded.


    *Ding!*


    | Current Maritime Security Route Avable! |


    The answer of the feminine and monotone voice made the Fleet Admiral sigh in relief. He gazed at Captain Lux and announced the existence of the route.


    "I already have a route in mind, Captain Lux."


    "Since we need preparation and time to conduct a maritime security mission, how much preparation and time do the two of you need?" Abraham questioned the two high officers.


    Captain Lux and Lieutenant Commander Morgen contemted for some time before answering to the highest ofmand in the United Navy.


    "The Port of Dawn requires at least a week to stabilize and expand the port. Wealso need toinvestigate the ind we reside in and perhaps exploit its resources."


    "Beforethe activation ofthe manufacturing factories in the port, we also need to establish supply lines. Primarily, constructing a quarry for ore deposits and an oil field to drill for crude oil."


    Lieutenant Commander said with confidence. If it was before, they would merely import the supplies they needed. But the current circumstances were different from before. They were alone in this world.


    "The UNS Light Bringer is operational, but I require it to undertake a maintenance check. We also need supplies from the port, mainly food supplies."


    "Other than that, the UNS Light Bringer can deploy within an estimated time of two days. Our armaments, munitions, andordinance,should be armed and ready by then."


    Captain Lux was alsopositiveabout sailing through the seas. However, they would have to be cautious as they don''t know the possible dangers of treading beneath it.


    With the opinions of the two high officers, Abraham finallyreached a decision. He also had to get himself ready before sailing into the seas. So, he wasn''t against their preparation.


    "Now that the two of you have concluded. The maritime security mission will be acted in ordance after a week. Until then, the Port of Dawn will stabilize and expand. And the UNS Light Bringer will undergo a maintenance check and prepare its weapons."


    Since the short meeting was concluded with the ordinance of the Fleet Admiral Shepherd, Captain Lux and Lieutenant Commander Morgen left the office of the highmand.


    The two had a goal in mindafter stepping out of the branch office building.


    Meanwhile, Abraham nced at his slim arms and feltweakpared tohis two officers. This fact made him clenched his eyebrows as he felt undeserving of his position. He wasn''t evensmarterthan the two.


    "I need to train."


    The middle-aged man muttered with resolve.

 Chapter 7: | 007 | Initial Training Regimen

    Inthe residential area ofthe Port of Dawn, a middle-aged man jogged through the silent and empty road while wearing nothing butck shorts and a T-shirt.It was early in the morning, and the sun was slowly rising from the lines of the boundless horizon.


    The middle-aged man was Abraham Shepherd, the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy.


    Yesterday, he and his high officers, Lux and Morgen, held several meetingsthroughout the day.He also had to sign several papers regarding the recentns of theUNS Light Bringer and Port of Dawn.


    It was an exhausting day for the Fleet Admiral.


    Fortunately, his hard work wasn''t for nothing.He was givenhis designated lodgings in the residential areaby Lieutenant Commander Morgen.It was a simple two-story house.


    But that was enough for Abraham. After all, for the first time in his life, Abraham had a home for himself. Not asmapartment that he barely could afford, but arealhome.


    "I almost couldn''t wake up from thatfortable sleep." Abraham yawned as the day before was exhausting for him. To think that being high-ranking didn''t change anything.


    He still had to work, but he wasn''t bothered by it.


    To be fair,he was working for his own organization.It was a sacrifice hewas willing to make as it benefited him nheless.


    Anyhow, he continued to jog through the quiet road of the residential area. It wasmostlydested because the utility personnel were working hard to stabilize the situation in the Port of Dawn.


    "The morning is lightening." He sighed and felt his heart at ease. It was the best time to train his body to be, at least, average as he was somewhat weaker than that at the moment.


    Several dozen minutes soon passed, and Abraham was running through the road with exhaustion evident on his face. He felt a heavy pressure on his shoulders, and his limbs were alsoturningstiff.


    He knew he was weak, andthe stamina his body containedwas bare bones.But he didn''t want to give up.


    Before the early morning training, he asked Systemaan importantquestion. Will histraininggive him solid results? Like those in novels wherepleting a training quest would advance their strength to a higher level.


    Systema''s answer was clear.


    ''| No. |''


    Abraham understood that the Naval Gacha System didn''t have such functions, which made him wonder if it was efficient to train himself. His questioning thoughts made Systema speak even further.


    ''|Trainingrequiresdetermination,sacrifice fuels strength. The Fleet Admiral can train or not train, but personal strength can mean life and death in some circumstances. |''


    He knew what Systema meant. It was okay that he wouldn''t train, but he might die in the future if he does so. There would be moments when he couldn''t rely on the United Navy to solve his problems.


    So, he must be ready for that significant moment.


    With this in mind, he continued his n to train, and now he was jogging.


    Abraham gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. He kept himself upright and continued running through the streets. It was easy to giveup,but difficult to continue. However, he didn''t desire to stop.


    He wanted to continue no matter how hard it became.


    Cold sweat dripped from his forehead as his consciousness became hazy. He took deep breaths and controlled his breathing. He didn''t know if it was working.


    Though¡­Hefelthisconditionnotworsening.


    "I must not pass out!" Abraham wryly smiled and forced himself through the problematic ordeal. It would be embarrassing if his subordinates saw him pass out in the middle of the road.


    That would tarnish his reputation as the Fleet Admiral if he had some.


    Afterward, every second felt like a decade for the middle-aged man. It appeared as though everything slowed down. Like he was in his own world. However, fortunately, he seeded.


    Hepleted the goal he wanted to achieve.


    For the first time after high school, he won against himself.


    He ran for about 5 miles, circling a small part of the residential area. It was about 8 kilometers in the metric system. That was an achievement in his own dictionary.


    Besides the concrete pole somewhere in the residential area, Abraham was barely alive as his ragged breath resounded in his ears.He was exhausted beyond relief as this wasthe first exercise he had donefor years.


    "I can''t believe this¡­ I actually managed to do it." He was grinning while looking like he was about to pass out. He silentlyy on the concrete pole and nned to rest for some time.


    His heart was rapidly beating like a machine gun. He felt a bit nervous since he might get a heart attack out of nowhere from thepalpitationshe was feeling.


    "I won''t die from a heart attack, right, Systema?" Abraham gulped and questioned his close confidant. She was the one who knew his body inside and out.


    The familiar yet perfect mechanical bell rang inside his mind. It was about time for her to arrive.


    *Ding!*


    | There''s no need for the Fleet Admiral to worry. Getting a heart attack will be the least of your worries. The toon leader of the Marines in the UNS Light Bringer is trying to find you. He will arrive at your location in an ETA 2 minutes. |


    The words of Systema shocked Abraham to life. His eyes were wide open as he immediately stood up on the spot. The Marines were excellent and unbridled soldiers.


    He didn''t want to appear weak before such individuals, so he pulled himself up.


    Abraham took care of his sweat and calmly leaned on the concrete pole as ifhe wereenjoying the morning sun. After a minute, the roars of the engine echoed throughout the streets.


    He opened his eyelids and saw a Humvee heading towards his location. Inside should be the toon leader of the Marines.


    After the Humvee stopped near Abraham, its doors slowly opened. What emerged was a young man with blond hair and blue irises. He wore the typical marine uniform and cap.


    A smile was on his face as he looked forward to the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. He walked towards Abraham and swiftly saluted after arriving before him.


    "2nd Lieutenant Campbell of the Alpha 1st toon. Greetings, Fleet Admiral."


    Abraham gazed at the buffed marine and felta bitenvious of their body. He also wanted to have a toned body, unlike his flimsy-looking self.


    But he shook such envious thoughts out of his head as he had to respond to the 2nd Lieutenant in front of him.


    "2nd Lieutenant Campbell, what brings you here?" Abraham questioned since it was surprising for someone to seek for him so early in the morning.


    "Apologies if I have disrupted your exercise, Fleet Admiral. Captain Lux wanted me to introduce myself to the highmand. I am also given the duties of being your personal guardat the moment."


    Campbell calmly exined his reasoning to the scrutinizing middle-aged man. After Abraham heard of it, he raised an eyebrow.


    Getting a personal guard wasn''toutof the possibilitiesthat appearedin his mind, but being followed by someone else was diforting for someone like Abraham.


    ''What should I do?'' Abraham quietly thought to himself while watching the 2nd Lieutenant with a cold gaze.


    On the other hand, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell felt a bit nervous after meeting the cold gaze of the Fleet Admiral. He wondered if he had done something wrong to the highmand. Was he too rxed? Easy-going? Or not respectful?


    It wasn''t Abraham''s aim to intimidate the toon leader. However, there was nothing he could do about his weird habit.


    Besides, it was hard to know when he wouldbe lookingat someone coldly, hewas too disconnected from his facial expressions.


    "2nd Lieutenant, I want you to help me train. I desire to get my body up to date and even stronger. I might need your assistance to do so." Abraham said as calmly as possible.


    Talking with someone that got rgerfigure than him was a bit daunting, but it wasn''t something that he couldn''t handle.


    The words of the Fleet Admiral brightened the eyes of Campbell. To think that the highmand would be asking for his assistance and advice.


    Campbell couldn''t stophimself fromsmiling as he immediately bowed to the Fleet Admiral, expressing his utmost agreement.


    "It will be an honor, Fleet Admiral."


    And so, the training session of Campbell and Abraham began.


    The first thing the two carried out was to enter a gym nearby. It was the first time Abraham entered a gymashe wasn''t the type to exercise or build his body. He felta bitnervous as thoughts about failing to carry dumbbells weighed on his mind.


    Inside the gym were the Marines working out in their free time. Abraham was shocked to see the troops training themselves. He thought they would be taking their time in the barracks.


    He didn''t know if he should regret choosing the toon leader to assist him, butthere was nothing he could doabout it.


    Abraham could only ept the consequences of his choice.


    Five hourster¡­


    In the massive concrete gym of the residential area were the roars of the Marines resounding throughout the building and the expanse surrounding it. Their deafening roars resembled the war cries of ancient times.


    It was as if they were fighting a life-and-death battle against an opponent or army with superior numbers than them. Abattleof a dozen against hundreds and thousands.


    However, in reality, the truth was stranger thanwhat waspreviously thought. After all, inside the gym alongside the Marines was the highestmand of the United Navy, Fleet Admiral Shepherd.


    He fought for his life while performing a 500 push-up session, not wanting to falter or act cowardly before his subordinates. Such was the unfortunate fate of the Fleet Admiral.


    On the other hand, the noisy Marines in the gym were merely grunting out their support loudly like goddamncavemen.


    Now, he really was regretting it.

 Chapter 8: | 008 | Port of Dawns Expansion

    Inthe FleetAdmiral''sofficewas Abraham resting on his extravagant office chair.The morning training took its toll on his body. It kept aching as though a car hit it head-on and threw it on the sidewalk.


    But it wasa lotbetter than his situation a couple of hours ago. After the grueling training, he could barely move his body and almost lost consciousness.


    It was a bit embarrassing, especially when he was the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. Nevertheless, Abrahamdidn''tregret the training he went through. Especially when it made him understand something vital about his body.


    It was the ability of indefinite recovery.


    Indefinite recovery wasthe reasonwhy he felt revitalized when he woke up in the middle of nowhere. Instead of feeling weak, he felt energetic.


    ording to Systema, indefinite recovery will help him regenerate his body limitlessly without any disgruntling side effects such as cell degeneration.


    Of course, itwasn''twithout a price for every action that needs energy.


    Indefinite recovery needed him to eat a lot of food, about 5 kilogramsworthof meals in one go. Naturally, this would be under the pretext of getting recovered from an injury.


    If he trained until his bones break and his muscles tear, this would be the price of recovery. It was a small price to pay as he could elerate his regeneration so that itwouldn''ttake weeks for him to recover.


    Like now, it only takes several hours before Abrahampletely recovers.


    It was an overpowered ability fora normalhuman like Abraham. It alsogave him the opportunityto train without worrying about breaking his body into bits.


    With indefinite recovery, he could practically train until the end of time and transcend the limits of humans.


    But that was for the future.


    For now, going through some hellish training and managing the United Navy was his priority.


    "Though¡­ I regret getting help from the 2nd Lieutenant. If not for my indefinite recovery, I would have been in bed for a number of days." Abraham wryly smiled and went through the files on his table.


    It was afternoonandvarious things had happened throughout the Port of Dawn in the duration of the UnitedNavy''ssecond day.


    Most of the reports in the files were primarily aboutthe stabilization ofthe manufacturing sector andtherecordingoftheport''slogistics.


    ording to the paper, the materials in thewarehouses of the portcould barelyst the United Navy a month. After that, the Navy will be facing a shortage of countless materials.


    With this in mind, they nned to elerate the n to acquire resource collection points throughout the ind.


    "They want to send research teams to several locations of interest. Of course, to safely tread the ind, they need the assistance of the marines."


    Since the Marinesweren''tdeployedat the moment, it was the best opportunity for them to be used. So, Abrahamdidn''thesitateandsign his signature in the document.


    Tomorrow, the mission will begin.


    Abraham thought about the mission and feltthat theyneeded to prepare a lot. They must not underestimate the sea and thend of this new world. Especially when they had little to no information about it.


    "It looks likeI''llhave to add some requirements to the mission."Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as the safety of his personnel was the number one priority.


    He had no ideaabouthow to acquire them without summoning a ship or constructing a port. Even when he asked Systema yesterday, the same answer appeared.


    Abraham must summon a ship or construct a port to receive personnel.It was a bit disappointing,butit wasmanageable for someone like him.


    ''Ican''tbelieve I am getting ustomed to the position of Fleet Admiral.''Abraham shook his head and felta bit ofpride from his unexpected management skills.


    Perhaps,ordering your teammates duringan importantmatch of a gamehad its own effects on him.


    Anyhow, Abraham started writing therequirements of the missionin the file and went along with various options. The requirement was that the task force must be transported through helicopters.


    Spoken helicopters must be armed forbat, and thesame could be said with the task force.Attack helicopters will be on standby for reinforcements, and the task force must not spend more than four or five hours in the locations of interest.


    Abraham''srequirement was simple. Itdidn''task much and merely warrantedthe existence ofextra security and caution.


    Now that the requirement has been set.Helooked forward to the mission that would be done tomorrow. This would be an interesting oneforsure.


    But he hoped that itwouldn''tbe too problematic for the United Navy to deal with.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    A night passed, and the radiant morning followed. The golden sun rose from the lines of the boundless horizon, bringing about a new day to those below the azure heavens.


    In the defense sector of the Port ofDawn,were four UH-60M ck Hawks within its airstrips.Various maintenanceworkers and engineers were preparing the transport helicopters to be deployed into the field.


    Meanwhile, in a small building beside the airstrip were the personnel who would be undertaking the task under the orders of the Fleet Admiral and Lieutenant Commander Morgen.


    There were marines of the UNS Light Bringer in the buildingwhilethere werevarious expeditionary research personnelthatwould be divided into teams.


    "That is all you need to do for thetask''pletion."


    Inside the debriefing room was 2nd Lieutenant Campbell. He was assigned as the field leader of the small task force. The debriefingmostlyconsisted of warnings and whatwas neededto do when something unexpected happened.


    There was also a time limit of 5 hours in the field, so the expeditionary research teams must not waste their timewhenexamining the locations of interest.


    But what were the locations of interest? Well,there were two locations of interest that werethe primary goal of the mission.


    It was the northern teau of the ind that might have richdeposits ofmineral,and the suspected oil field in the eastern grasnd.That''sright, the ind was big.


    Exploration had been done since day oneandthe ind has an approximate area of a quarter of Britain. It was massive, so it might take time for the Port of Dawn to haveplete influence over the ind.


    At any rate, after the debriefing of Campbell, it was time for the mission to officially begin.


    The marines packed their military bags, and the research personnel equipped themselves with their briefcase where sensitive equipment was held.


    They soon got out of the building and immediately heard the roars of thehelicopter''spropellers. The ck Hawks were ready to go with its armaments and ordnance armed.


    One after another, the personnel of the expeditionary research teams entered the transport helicopters.Thst to step in were themarineswhokept the doors wide open.


    With the ck Hawks fully loaded, it was time for them to lift off.


    *This is Delta 1-2, Ready!*


    *Delta 1-1, Ready!*


    *Delta 1-3, Ready!*


    *Delta 1-4, Ready to go!*


    *This is DATC, Birds are clear to go!*


    Following the confirmation of the Port ofDawn''sAir Traffic Control Tower, the transport helicopters lifted themselves from the ground and hovered in the airstrip.


    Dust shrouded the surroundings of the airstrips as thunderous apuse of the propellers resounded throughout the skies and the ground below it.


    When the ck Hawks were up in the air, they slowly pointed themselves towards their destinations.


    The transport helicopters were in an echelon-right formation as they began to fly through the heavens, heading to their designatednding points.


    While the ck Hawks flew onward into the skies, the marines calmly observed the surrounding forest and hills of the ind.


    With rifles in their arms anda pair ofshades covering their eyes, it was reminiscent of the war they had fought before getting transported into the new world.


    Ironically, their target was an oil field and mineral deposits.


    2nd Lieutenant Campbell, who was in Delta 1-1, gazed at the dense evergreen forest. He remembered the words of the Fleet Admiral before debriefing the task force personnel.


    "2nd Lieutenant, be careful in the operation and never let your guard down. This ind is not what it seems, andwehumans are far from itsplete dominator. So, I implore you to be careful until we be theind''sapex."


    Campbell understood the words of the Fleet Admiral. A new world meant new things.As theyhad little to no information, they had to be cautious when undertaking missions.


    The personnel of the United Navy cannot be reced. They had no boot camps where new marines, infantry soldiers, sailors, or military personnel could be trained.


    With this in mind, every personnel was a resource, which must be what the Fleet Admiral was trying to say. This was why the rumored maritime-security mission had an entire duration of a week to prepare.


    ''Imustn''tlet my guard down.''Campbell thought to himself with his eyebrows furrowed. He looked at the rusting trees and gripped his rifle tightly.


    The sess of this mission was paramount to the UnitedNavy''sfuture. And they must secure it with caution and efficiency.


    *Delta 1-3, Delta 1-4, we will be breaking formation, Over!*


    *This is Delta 1-3, Roger!*


    *Delta 1-4, Roger!*


    The four ck Hawks separated into their respectivetwo groupswithone heading towards the northern teauwhile the other headedto the eastern grasnd.


    Asthe separation ofthe task force had beendone, it was finally time for the first stages of the mission to start.


    Delta 1-1 and Delta 1-2 were headed towards the northern teau. Campbell took notice of the rigid terrain slowly covering his sight. They were about to enter the mountainous area of the ind.


    It took several minutes before the two ck Hawks arrived at theirnding points. As the transport helicopters hovered from the stone ground, they slowly descended from the skies.


    When the ck Hawks were a foot away from below, the marines swiftly descendedand createda defensive position.

 Chapter 9: | 009 | Northern Plateau

    "Set up a defense perimeter!"2nd Lieutenant Campbell ordered after hopping out of the ck Hawk. He looked at their surroundings with a scrutinizing gaze. Meanwhile, the marines swiftly scattered into their respective positions.


    Following the Marines were the expeditionary research teams.They stepped out of the transport helicopterswith grace and observed the rough terrain of the northern teau.


    They held their briefcases tightly in their fingers and slowly ced them on the ground. Afterward, they slowlytook outvital and sensitive equipment for the resource deposit inspections.


    Some marines took out various crates and rapidly constructed a temporary tent formandand contrlong witmunication.


    They also dispersed barbed wire fences in the defensive perimeter for extra defense.


    The ck Hawks turned their rotors offandthe pilots calmly waited for the entirety of the operation to end. It was still morning, and the day had just begun for the task force personnel.


    "Sir, the COC Tent has been built!"A marine reported with a salute. Campbell nodded at the guy and walked towards the spoken tent.


    Insideitwere various oldmunication hardware that could beeasilyabandoned during an emergency evacuation.


    Amunication officer was operating the hardware and immediately turned it on. Buzzes resounded throughout the tent as Campbellcoollywaited to hear the highmand.


    After a couple of seconds, a voice escaped themunication hardware.


    *2nd Lieutenant Campbell, congrattions on your sessfulnding and construction of the temporary COC tent. As said before, the limit of this operation is five hours.*


    *After that, results must be givenandthe task force must return to the port. Be careful of any dangers that might tread in your area. Our personnelhaven''tfinished sketching a topographic map of the ind.*


    *Apaches are ready to support when called upon. Bravo Task Force has also sessfullynded in the eastern grasnd. Good luck in your operation, 2nd Lieutenant.*


    It was the FleetAdmiral''svoice, and he reminded the 2nd Lieutenant of the mission along with the warnings he had given the toon leader.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral Shepherd. The area is currently securedandfences have been set up. The apex of the northern teau seemed to be empty of anything, but the marines will maintain our vignce."


    2nd Lieutenant Campbell reported while his bluish irises pointed at the beautiful scenery of the vast evergreen forest of the ind. Beauty always hides its venom.


    One must not be blinded by it.


    "Sir Campbell, the resource deposit inspection has begun."A research personnel stood before the tent and ryed the true beginning of the operation.


    Campbell turned to look at the research personnel and nodded in understanding. But he also asked animportantquestion to the researcher.


    "How long will the inspection take?"The operation had five hours as its limit. They needed toplete it within this duration for the mission to be concluded a sess.


    The research personnel thought about it for some time and soon answered the 2nd Lieutenant with confidence.


    "It should take 3 hours at most for aplete inspection. Of course, this is under the assumption of noplexities during theperiod of the inspection."


    "Ifplexitiesdoappear, an hour might be added to the time scale."


    While the research personnel was confident, hemustn''tignore the truth. They trusted their capabilities as researchers, but the world was asplex asit wassimple.


    "Isee¡­ Thank you for your service. The Marines and I willbe defendingthis position until the inspection ispleted."The 2nd Lieutenant said with a smile.


    The research personnel merely nodded and took off to do his own job. Campbell was left alone in the tent, thinking about what should be done if certain circumstances emerged.


    After some timeof thinking, he shook his head as he realizedthatthere was no need to waste his time on imaginary situations.The orders given to him were clear.


    Protect the inspecting research personnel and take them out of the location safely.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    Taking this into ount, Campbell walked out of the tent and started helping the Marines in their duties of defending and surveying the area.


    On the other hand, the expeditionary research personnel started digging through the hard surface of the northern teau with a drilling tool. It was necessary, but it also made loud resounding noises.


    "The rocks of this teau are a lot harder than usual."


    "Well, we can investigate itsposition after returning to the Port of Dawn."


    "Iguess so,I''lltake a sample."


    One of the research personnel took out a stic bag and ced a rock dispersed bythedrillingof their equipment inside ofit.


    After zipping the stic bag, he allocated it into one of their empty briefcases.


    Two hours passed¡­


    The drilling continued for some time as the research personnel inspectedthe results of their inspectionevery half an hour.The results of the drilling were surprising, to say the least.


    "It''stotally different from an hour ago."One research personnel remarked. They might have discovered a new mineral from the results they were receiving.


    "That''sright, but this ce is a gold mine, metaphorically and literally."The reason was that there were tons of veins underground. It was the best they had seen In their careers.


    "There''sa reason why the Fleet Admiral considers thisasanother world."Theleader of the expeditionary research team grinned at the results of their inspection.


    "However, what about that strange-looking mineral?"One of the research personnel questioned.As said before,the results of their current drilling were differentfrom an hour ago.


    It wasmostlybecause of the strange-looking mineral they had discovered in their inspection. It was totally different from the known elements in their knowledge as it exuded excellent properties rarely gained by a single material.


    "Ihave reported to 2nd Lieutenant Campbell about it."The leader responded to the question whilealsosecuring the strange-looking mineral they had discovered.


    "Nheless, a mineral with greater tensile strength than tungsten, while also beingharder thanchromium,and lighter than titanium.This is a great discovery that could revolutionize us."


    The expeditionary leader felt enamored by its improbable yet real existence. Such was the result of the new world,and it madethe curious researchers wonder about its mysteries.


    How much knowledge could they gain from this new world? What were its secrets? If magic does exist, will they be able to do it? And if they could, how could they do it?


    There were tons of questions within their minds, but they could only patiently wait for such wondrous questions to be answered. After all, it was merely the beginning.


    The story of the United Navy had just begun.


    Meanwhile, in the COC tent was the 2nd Lieutenant of the Marines. He had finished reporting the recent discoveries of the expeditionary research team during their drilling and mineral inspection.


    *That mineral your task force has discovered sounds interesting, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell. I want you to bring samples of it back into the Port of Dawn for research.*


    *At any rate,it looks likeyou have aplished your mission in their northern teau. Since the operation has beenpleted, your return is expecte-*


    Out of nowhere, the transmission from the other side got cut off. 2nd Lieutenant Campbell froze for a moment and became dumbfounded.


    It only took a second for him to return back. Campbell turned his gaze towards themunication operator and questioned.


    "What just happened?"


    "Communication was interrupted from the other side, Sir.It seems thatsomething must have happened for the Fleet Admiral to promptly break the transmission."Themunication operator exined.


    A couple of minutester, the voice of the Fleet Admiral escaped the grasp of the hardware.


    *2nd Lieutenant Campbell, are you there?*


    "This is 2nd Lieutenant Campbell, Fleet Admiral. Did something happen?"Campbell questioned whether a problem might have emerged in themand center.


    *An assault just urred on the Bravo Task Force, 2nd Lieutenant. The situation in the eastern grasnd ispromised. ording to their reports, a herd of gigantic scaled-skin boars charged at them out of nowhere.*


    *Itwouldn''tbe problematic if they were normal wild pigs, but sadly, they were far from normal.*


    *The assants are the same size as a pick-up truck, making them problematic.It''salso been proven that they love sponging bullets.Only grenadeunchers, 50-caliber guns, and anti-tankunchers couldtake them down with ease.*


    *Fortunatelythough, the Bravo Task Force managed to retreat with reliable data. No deaths urred, but some were slightly injured in the encounter.*


    *After deliberation, we have concluded that Apaches will be sent to support your Exfil. Have the ck Hawks get their rotors running and immediately leave the area.*


    *Apache''sestimated time should be five minutes.*


    *Take care, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell, Out.*


    The news given by the Fleet Admiral made Campbell astounded. But he quickly regained his bearing and furrowed his eyebrows.


    Local wildlife on this ind were stranger than they had previously thought. To think there would be giant wild boars with scaled skins.


    "Ry the orders of the Fleet Admiral. I want us to Exfil in three minutes!"Campbell ordered themunication operator to ry the orders.


    Their situation wasbad, especially with the confirmed existence of alien wildlife.


    "Understood, Sir."Themunication operator nodded and scattered the orders throughout the Alpha Task Force.


    With the news of the rapid Exfil, the marines swiftly fortified the defensive positions even morewhilethe expeditionary research personnel worked on the clock to take back their sensitive and expensive equipment to their briefcases.


    Theydidn''tknow why they were being withdrawn so quickly, but somethingbadmust have happened in the operation.


    Both theresearch and military personnel were in no rank or status to question the orders of the 2nd Lieutenant. Especially when such orders came from the Fleet Admiral.


    However, things could only be even moreplicated.


    After all, in the outskirts of the northern teau, a predator stalked the Alpha Task Force with its predatory gaze. It hid amongst the dead bushes of theteau''sbase. However¡­


    There was no way it could escape from the scrutinizing gaze of the Marines.


    *Bang!*


    And so, it began.


    The y of the hunt and the hunted.

 Chapter 10: | 010 | Threats hidden in the Wilderness

    Several minutes before themunication transmission of Fleet Admiral Shepherd and 2nd Lieutenant Campbell of the Alpha 1st toon¡­


    The golden sun was stered on the azure heavensgleamingbrightly to the world below it. Fluffy white clouds sweepbythrough the breeze of winds, bringing about a soothing morning.


    However, the world where the radiant sun cast its luminescence was shrouded in a calm before the storm.


    Inthe seemingly vast wilderness of the eastern grasnd of an expansive ind in the middle of nowherewas the Marines of the Bravo Task Force.


    They patrolledthe areawhere their recently constructed barbed-wire fences dwelled with unquestioning caution.


    The Bravo Task Force was the group that separated from the Alpha Task Force to reach their designated LZ in the proposed location of interest. What were they trying to find?


    Well, the answer was one word.


    Oil.


    ording to various reports and surveince data given to them during the debriefing before thestart of theoperation, the eastern grasnd was under the suspicion of the United Navy about containing a substantial oil deposit.


    It might be smaller than what could be extracted from the seas, but it was oil nheless.The fuel that was vital to the machhat was known asthe United Navy.


    Naturally, along with themajormineral inspection, oil was also considered a priority.This brought about the separation of the Operation Task Force into Alpha and Bravo.


    "How much oil deposits have we detected under the grasnd?" While the Marines did their patrol, the expeditionary research personnelwere also workinghard.


    The lead researcher was the one who gave thequestionas it has been a while since he checked the current reserves statistics.


    "750 million metric tons of oil, Sir¡­" The researcher hesitantly reported the amount of oil they had discovered beneath the ground. After all, even he was a bit dumbfounded by its excessive amount.


    The lead researcher felt that he had heard something wrong from his subordinate. He looked at the subordinate with furrowedeyebrows,while the other merely nodded.


    "750¡­ It looks like we struck some gold. Hehehehe~, this will be enough for the United Navy tost about a decade." The lead researcher creepily chuckled.


    There was no doubt that he was excited. It seems that the oil of this ind was vast in terms of numbers. This also gives him a bit of relief as there was no need to be reliant on others for oil.


    As this wasa piece ofgood news, the lead researcher obviously wanted to celebrate. He gazed upon his subordinateswhohad been working hard since the beginning of the operation.


    "For this discovery of ours, I''ll give all of you bonuses!" Such discovery required some celebration. After all, it would be too distasteful to act otherwise.


    "Yeah!"


    "Thank you, Lead!"


    "You''re the best boss!"


    The expeditionary research personnel began praising the lead researcher like he was their old man who gave them their New Year''s presents.


    But sadly, the praises and celebration couldn''t continue.


    Several Marineswho wereguarding the surrounding perimeter began transferring themselves to the west. Their rifles were armedandtheir expressions were determined.


    When the expeditionary research personnel took notice of their actions, they understood that something problematic had happened.


    A Marine officer stepped forward and was about to order the evacuation protocol to the research personnel.


    "Our location has beenpromised! The EVAC protocol has been activated. All personnel must withdraw from the location in 2 minutes." The situation was dire, especially when the Marineswere askingthem to evacuate.


    "Understood, we''ll be fast." The lead researcher didn''t choose to argue and swiftly disassembled the expensive equipment used to detect the valuable oil field below them.


    But it wasa bitsaddening that he couldn''t report the good news to the Fleet Admiral. Though¡­ The Fleet Admiral has already told them that their safety was paramount.


    With the lead researcher''s confirmation, the Marine officer merely nodded and went to support his men. While immediate evacuation wasimportant, they didn''t have time.


    The Marines must buy time for the expeditionary research personnel to beupin the air.


    While the expeditionary research team rapidly evacuatedall oftheir sensitive equipment and ced them into their briefcases, the Marines wereto thewest of their defensive perimeter.


    Their enemy appeared out of nowhere, and these bastards numbered dozens.


    But one would question, what kind of enemies were the Marines facing?


    The answer was simple.


    They were facing the monsters of this world. The United Navy was about to fight the hostile elements of the alien world for the first time.


    "Give me intel about our enemies." The Marine officer wanted to know what they were facing. One of the Marine scouts saluted him and reported everything that was discovered.


    "Dozens of adversaries are charging towards our location ata speed of35 kilometers per hour. Their origins are unknown as we recently discovered them during our light scouting mission."


    "From our observations, these adversaries are the alien wildlife of this world. They resemble the wild boars of our former world, but lookpletely different from them."


    "Deeper surveys indicate that these hostile wildlife have scales on their skin with several giant sharp tusks over their head. They also seemed to possess two pairs of eyes."


    "However, this isn''t the most problematic aspect of their existence. What we consider troublesome is their estimated size. Most of these animals are have the size of a pick-up truck with the smallest being car-sized."


    Thest information made the Marine officer understand the seriousness of the situation. These monsters wereincredibly big, so their rifles might not be enough to handle them.


    "How long do we have?" The Marine officer questioned the scout with a cold gaze.


    "We have about 4 minutes before they reach us, Sir." The estimated time of arrival of these monsters was lower than expected. They have to prepare fast if they desire to survive in their circumstances.


    "Have the ck Hawk carrying the expeditionary research personnel up in their air as fast as possible. After they are up, have the pilots support us in our endeavors."


    "And all of you must prepare for rapid Exfil. We aren''t here to fight them to death. That will be the job of our birds." The Marine officer gave orders after orders to his soldiers.


    The Marines nodded in understandingafter hearing the ordersand immediately carried them out.On the other hand, the Marine Officer merely watched the western horizon and saw several dots moving toward them.


    He furrowed his eyebrows and gave another fire of orders.


    "Prepare your GLMs, our rifles won''t be enough so use every explosive you have!" Grenadeunching modules wereunchers typically strapped into rifles such as the M4s.


    These ordnanceunching armaments were perfect deterrence against iing adversaries.


    "Also, call for reinforcements from the Port of Dawn. Tell them we are assaulted by monsters and need some reinforcements to deal with them." After uttering such words, the thunderous propellers resounded throughout the grasnd.


    Delta 1-4 was about to fly with the research personnel inside. Their current task was to support the Marines on the ground.


    As the ck Hawk propelled itself from the grass-covered ground, it hovered above the location of interest and was preparing for the uing battle.


    Back to the Marine officer. He realized that time was running out. ording to his subordinates who reported their situation, reinforcements would arrive in 3 minutes.


    Unfortunately, though¡­Theiropponents were in front of them.


    When the monster boars reached 200 meters from their barbed-wire perimeter fence, the Marines didn''t hesitate to rain hellfire on the charging bastards.


    *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*


    Several explosive grenades wereunched from their GLMs. These canisters of destruction flew through the air and slowly returned to the ground.


    The moment the grenadesnded, explosions resounded throughout the surrounding area.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    After the shocking explosions, the first wave of the Monsters fell with their bodies suffering gigantic holes. The explosive grenades might not have been enough to entirely blow them up, but the shockwave would have squashed their internal organs to bits.


    With the fall of the first wave, the second wave followed and some monsters tumbled upon the fallen bodies of their kind.


    These giant monster boarsreallywere merciless as they plowed everything in front of them without mercy.


    "Fire!" Since the distance between the two was less than 100 meters, the Marinesopted to usetheir rifles.


    After all, they didn''t have time to reload their grenadeunchers, and even if they did, it wouldn''t do them any good. They were in the middle of a grasnd with little to no cover.


    If they blew these monsters to bits up close, shrapnel would probably decimate them.


    At any rate, following the order was the torrent of lead escaping the barrels of the Marines'' rifles. They pulled the trigger hard and began shooting the ones before them.


    *BBRrrrrrrtttt!* *Bang!* Bang!* *BRRrrrrrrtttt!*


    *Bang!* *BRrrrrrttttt!* *Bang!*


    Thunderousroars of gunfireechoed as shes of light glimmered over the Marines'' faces. But the crayon-eatingcavemenremained determined as theycontinued to fireat their adversaries.


    The monster boars were bullet sponges as it would take an entire magazine of leads on the head to take one down. These bastards need the explosives of freedom to be easily taken down.


    "Continue backing away!" The Marine officer gave an order while the bird above them started its supporting task.


    *BBRRRRRRRTTTTT!*


    The ck Hawk fired its machine gunswhicheasily prated through the scales of the monsters. These caused the bastards to falldownand die from either the lead or the stampede behind them.


    "Sir, Delta 1-3 is ready to go!"


    Following such words was the roar of the ck Hawk''s propeller. Dust dispersed in their surroundings as grasses waved before and after from the winds.


    The Marine officer looked at the transport helicopter and swiftly ordered his men to withdraw.


    "Let''s go! We need to get out of this damn ce!"


    Thefullwithdrawal was underway. One after another, the Marines stepped into the ck Hawk as it hovered a foot off the ground. It didn''t take 30 seconds for the entire withdrawal to beplete.


    The ck Hawk immediately flew over the charging monster boars and hovered through the skies with ease. Both the Marines and the expeditionary research personnel sighed in relief upon reaching the heavens above.


    None died from that ordeal, which was a piece of good news. Luckily forthem, though¡­ More good news was toe.


    In themunication radios of the ck Hawks, a transmission resounded from its confines.


    *This is Cleaver 1, supporthas arrived!*


    *Cleaver 2, reinforcements havee!*


    The AH-64E Apaches have arrived.

 Chapter 11: | 011 | Valkyries from Above

    As they saw the Apaches in the distance soaring through the azure heavens, those in the ck Hawks were relieved. The arrival of the reinforcements brought hope to their hearts. Thiswas mostly applicableto the expeditionary research personnel.


    The Marines merely grinned at the arrival of their cleavers.


    "Hahahaha! It''s time to get some pork barbeque!"


    "Bring some back when you return!"


    "I wonder how they taste?"


    Such words escaped from the mouths of the soldiers who almost got ughtered by living pick-up trucks charging at them with their sharp protruding tusks.


    While the Marines were cursing at the living pick-up trucks, the ck Hawks continuedto hoverabove the dozens of monster boars thatstillkept trampling over their previous locations.


    However, the Marines had long stopped firing as there was no need to waste ammunition. The only thing they needed to do was returnastheir operation had already seeded.


    *Delta 1-3, Delta 1-4, you''re clear to RTB.*


    When the two Apaches arrived near the transport helicopters, they immediately ordered the evacuation of the ck Hawks belonging to the Bravo Task Force.


    *This is Delta 1-3, Affirmative!*


    *Delta 1-4, Roger!*


    The ck Hawks didn''t hesitate to ept the transmission of the apaches and pointed their nosein the direction ofthe Port of Dawn. The pilots then directed the transport helicopters towards their destination.


    In the meantime, the Apache pilots soon observed the herd of monster boars. They remembered the mission given to them after reinforcing the Bravo Task Force.


    They were free to engage any target they deemed a threat without further authorization from highermand. Meaning that they were weapons-free.


    *Cleave 1, Engaging ground targets!*


    *BRRRRRRTTTTTTTT!!!*


    Cleave 1 didn''t hesitate and started firing its chain gun mounted at the bottom of its nose. Gleaming mes escaped the barrels of the chain gun as a torrent of lead stormed the monsters below.


    *Cleave 2, opening fire!*


    *BBRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTT!!!*


    The second Apache followed suit and brought down the might of gunpowder to the pigs that dared to attack them out of nowhere. The results of the deadly chain guns were horrifying.


    In mere seconds,the herd of monster boarswerestripped of their numbers.Dozens of giant boars were riddled with expounding holes that blew their bodies open.


    It was a massacre.


    But the Apaches never stopped firing.


    They were given orders, and they shall do so without questions.


    The thunderous roars of the chain guns reverberated throughout the eastern grasnd. Even the retreating ck Hawks heard of it, making the crayon-eatencavemencheer for the cleavers.


    Severalof theassaulting monster boars felt instinctual fear with the thousands of thunderps echoing in their ears. This caused the herd to split up into multiple sections.


    Some continued to assault and stomp the former LZ, while the others escaped into the eastern grasnd.


    The cleavers didn''t bother the escaping ones and merely cleaned up the remaining pig bastards that bothered their oil inspection. How could these beasts stop them from acquiring oil?


    It didn''t take a minute for the tiny battlefield to turn silent. Hundreds upon thousands of holes were everywherealongwith corpses lying on the tall and slick grasses.


    Blood seeped into the ground, slowly forming puddles orkes of crimson water. It was a terrific and hellish sight. But itwas the result ofthose who dared to attack the United Navy.


    Regardless of their reasons, if they attacked without warning. They will be met with an unstoppable force that will crush them six feet into the ground.


    At any rate, the mission of the cleavers wasplete. They had seeded in terminating the entire opposing army of giant boars.


    While these monsters were tough for rifles and small arms, the military had bigger guns in their arsenal. So, the monster boar''s defeat was to be expected.


    *Eagle, this is Cleaver 1, terminatioplete!*


    *Eagle, Cleaver 2 reporting, theoperation was a sess!*


    The Apaches calmly reported their victory to the Port of Dawn.The reply didn''t take timeastheresponse of the highmandarrived in a second.


    *Cleaver 1, Cleaver 2, This is Eagle Actual! Cleavers will be reinforcing the Alpha Task Forcecontinuingsafekeeping operation.*


    *Terminate any hostiles in the surrounding area of the northern teau.*


    Their next orders came from the Fleet Admiral himself. The Apache pilots felt honored to be directly given orders by the highest ofmand, but they kepttheircalm and replied.


    *Cleaver 1, proceeding with safekeeping operation!!*


    *Cleaver 2, Roger!*


    *Good, I will be waiting for news. Conquer the skies, cleavers. And ughter our enemies on the ground, Eagle out!* From the words of the Fleet Admiral, he was pissed by the unexpected assault of damnable animals.


    Anyhow,as they were given their orders, it was time to fulfill it.


    The Apaches slowly turned their heading towards the northern teau and soared there at great speed. The Alpha Task Force will soon meet their Valkyries or cleavers.


    On the other hand, the Port of Dawn was themand centersituated deep inside the defense sector of the port.It was surrounded by dozens of defensive fortifications, making it the safest part of the port.


    Inside themand center was the Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd with a deep frownon his face. The assault in the recent operation was unexpected.


    But fortunately, none of his Marines or expeditionary research personnel got injured by the adversaries. Though¡­ Nevertheless, it was the failure of the United Navy.


    He had recently contacted the Alpha Task Force about the situation andalsoordered the Apaches to reinforce the remaining task force in the northern teau. He was on full alert.


    "How did we not notice them?" Abraham quietly askedbuthis words resounded throughout themand room.


    It was afairlrge room with a round war table and several electronics operated by officers and operators of the United Navy.


    "They have appeared out of nowhere, Fleet Admiral. But we know the general direction of their originswhichisdeep into the eastern grasnd."


    "Our surveince capabilities are stillcking, and despite therge numbers of such monsters, they might also be umon in this ind." Lieutenant Commander Morgen uttered.


    "Did we go too fast?" Abraham questioned his humble lieutenantmander.


    "I believe not, Sir. This is the best time to inspect and establish research deposits, especially with the uing maritime security mission." Morgen didn''t regret the operation, which made Abraham think about it.


    No matter how much they try to avoid trouble. The world has always beenplex and unexpected. There was no way they could control how things could happen.


    The only thing they could do was adapt to whatever circumstances they were thrown in.


    "Captain Lux, do you have any opinions?" Abraham looked at the silent captain in themand room.


    "The operation was a sess, Fleet Admiral. So, I agree with the words of the lieutenantmander. While cautiousness is appropriate, wealso need tounderstand that risks must be taken for growth." Captain Lux supported the lieutenantmander.


    It was in light of his way of thinking.


    "Thank you for both of your opinions. I understand your point of view. Instead of conversing about regrets and what could be done, what should we do with the existence of such things?"


    Abraham looked at the imagesent by themduring the assault in the eastern grasnd. Giant boar-like monsters were not within his expectations, but it was in line with fantasy.


    This made him stop questioning whether such existence made sense.


    "These animals are dangerous. They appeared to be hostile and seemed to be concentrated on attacking. I believe that these boar-looking monsters must be predators of some sort."


    "They must have quite acute senses since the only way for them to track the Bravo Task Force''s location was through the loud noise of the transport helicopters."


    "And these things could also take bullets with ease, requiringa great deal ofeffort to take down with ordinary arms. In simpler terms, they are problematic."


    "In my personal opinion, I''d want to have them out of the ind. But that wouldn''t be in line with the thinking of the United Navy.Perhaps,a deterrence will be needed."


    Lieutenant Commander Morgen was the first to give his opinion. His solution was expensive yetsimple. That was to have an escort in future mobilization throughout the ind.


    Doing such a thing would cost a lot of resources to the United Navy, but it was an effective short-term solution.


    "Until we learn more about these things, we must avoid exterminating them."Captain Lux also wasn''t inclined to exterminate an entire species off the inddespite finding them annoying.


    "It seems that we have reached an agreement. In the future, armed escorts will be given to any convoythat will bemobilized into the ind." Abraham reached a decision with the two high officers agreeing with nods.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    Meanwhile, on the northern teau was unprecedented chaos.


    *BOOM!!!*


    "Don''t let them climb up! Take all of them down!" Campbell ordered his fellow Marines to keep shooting at the climbing strange-looking monsters.


    These guys appeared out of nowhere and were about to attack them from the base. The bastards were good at hiding, but luckilytheAlpha Task Force noticed them.


    *Bang!* *BRRrrrrrrttttt!* *Bang!*


    The Marines pulled their triggers and gave the monsters a hailstorm of lead. Some also loaded the GLMs with grenade ammunition and swiftly fired at the iing abominations.


    *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*


    Like before, the cannisters flew into the air and fell into the monsterssprintingat them from the bottom. What followed were the radiant lights and thunderous explosions.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The monsters resembled leopards with the size of elephants. These guys had several tentacles on their necks whilealsomaintaining several pairs of eyes.


    Their mouth was unsightly to see as it looked like a shredder. Most people wouldratherburn these things alive than let them live.


    *BRRRrrrrtttttt!* *Bang!* BRRrrrrrrrtt!*


    The battle between those of higher ground and lower ground was loud and fiery. None were willing to give up and were determined to fight to the death if needed.

 Chapter 12: | 012 | Successful Exfil

    In the northern teau, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell and his Marineswereyingsuppressive fire to their adversaries. Massive leopard-like monsters that seemed to be determined to huntthem,and perhaps eat them for lunch.


    *Bang!* *BRRrrrrttttt!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    It has been a minute since contact was made with these monsters, and the defense perimeter constructed by the Marines barely held up from the storming bastards.


    "Load your GLMs!"After noticing the disappointing effects of their rifles, Campbell knew that they needed to use their grenadeunchers again if they desired tost longer.


    When the Marines heardthe orders of their toon leader, some of themswiftly loaded the GLMs withordnancewhile the others continued suppressing the climbing monsters.


    The Marines with loaded GLMs pointed their rifles toward the advancing monsters and fired their grenadeunchers.


    *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*


    Several grenades flew into the air and headed straight to the bottom of the northernteauwherearge number ofleopard-like monsters swarmed up.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Thedeafeningroars of explosives resounded while another wave of lead pierced through the air, riddling the monsters with holes.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *BRRrrrrtttt!*


    "Sir, the ck Hawks are ready!"A Marine shouted at Campbellwhowasmanding the battlefront. Upon hearing the words of the Marine, Campbell nodded and immediately ordered his men.


    "Our birds are ready, prepare for Exfil!"Following his words were the rumbling echoes of the transporthelicopters''propellers.


    With the orders of Campbell, the Marines slowly backed away from the defense perimeter and headed towards the transport helicopters.


    One ck Hawk was already in the air, containing the expeditionary research teams. The lead researcher of the Alpha Task Force gazed at Campbell and shouted.


    "We will be waiting for you at the base, 2nd Lieutenant!"


    Campbell merely nodded at the lead researcher while the Delta 1-2 retreatedbackto the Port of Dawn. On the other hand, the Marines stepped into their ck Hawk with their rifles pointed at the defense perimeter.


    Acouple ofsecondster, the elephant-size monsters emerged and charged at them.


    The Marines fired without hesitation as the 50. Caliber machine guns installed in the ck Hawk also assisted them in their suppression.


    Unlike their rifles, the machine gun was somewhat effective inying waste against the massive monsters. It bought the ck Hawk time to ascend from their previous location.


    When the ck Hawk was up in the air, it didn''t hesitate and rapidly retreated from the northern teau. The Marines also stopped shooting but didn''t dy on cursing the ones below them.


    It was an instinct for the crayon-eatingcavemento curse at their enemies at amoment''snotice.


    Campbell watched the northern teau slowly shrinking. It was fortunate that they had evacuated without any severe casualties. Some equipment was lost, but hedidn''tfeel bad about it.


    The equipment left behind was supposed to be abandoned when sh*t hits the fan.


    "Aliens, huh¡­Aren''twe the aliens?"Campbell muttered while gazing at the massive monsters that conquered their location of interest.


    Itdidn''tmatter who the aliens were, whatmattered was that the so-called monsters had touched the United Navy.


    ''Their existence will not stop the expansion of the United Navy into the ind. Sooner orter, one of the two will have to be expelled from the ind.''Campbell knew the truth.


    If things continuedinthis way, the situation would be bad for the monsters below. But hedidn''tcare much about them. After all, in his heart, the priority was the United Navy.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    The growth of the UN was akin to the solidification of their beliefs.


    Before Campbell could continue thinking about the implications of monsters throughout the ind, a transmission was received by the pilots.


    *Delta 1-1, this is Cleaver 1! Proceeding with the safekeeping mission, Deltas are clear to RTB!*


    *Cleaver 1, Delta 1-1, Roger!*


    Two Apaches could be seen soaring on the horizon. These attack helicopters were supposed to be escorting the ck Hawks. However, with the new orders, priorities changed.


    The Apaches went past the ck Hawks and headed towards the northern teau. Campbell could only watch them in the transport helicopter with a smileon his face.


    "Those monsters will be in for a hellish sessionof how to makealien barbecue."2nd Lieutenant Campbell shook his head while the Marines around him cheered the arrival of the Apaches.


    In the military, things were different. Revengewasn''tbest served cold, butbetterwhen served hot.


    And so, as the two Apaches reached 50 meters away from the northern teau. They saw their targets in the location of interest and calmly announced their engagement.


    *Cleaver 1, engaging hostiles!*


    *Cleaver 2, foxtrot!*


    Their current adversaries were different from the ones in the eastern grasnd. They wererger, stronger, and looked much more abominable. As such, they decided to give these monsters what they deserved.


    A barrage of freedom rockets.


    *Swiiishh!* *Swooosshh!* *Wooosshh!*


    In mere seconds, dozens of Hydra 70mm unguided rockets escaped their pods and propelled themselves forward at unparalleled speeds.


    Each one left smoke trails behind as they pierced through the air with ferocity.


    The massive monsterswho restedon the northern teau werecurrentlylicking their wounds.They thought they had struck a jackpot when they saw several meat bags lurking in their territory.


    It was saddening that the meat bags managed to escape.


    However, these leopard-like monsterswouldn''tbe able to continue being dejected. After all, the Valkyries have arrived.


    Several rocketsnded on the northern teau,specificallythe resting spot of the massive monsters. This brought about a barrage ofdeafeningexplosions.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The Hydra rocketsweren''tto be underestimated. Each oneid waste to a monster, bringingaboutburnt and crisped bodies in their wake.


    Some even exploded with blood, organs, bones, and scales scattering throughout the ground.


    The resting monsters panicked and swiftly made their escape. They went downhill, with some falling to their deaths because of their hasty legs.


    But the iron birds that had conquered the skies were vehement in destroying them.


    *BBBRRRRRRTTTT!!!*


    *BBRRRRRRRRRRTTTT!!!*


    Chain guns in the bottom of the nose started firing at the escaping massive monsters. Hundreds of leads roared out of the barrel in two seconds while bullet casings fell inrge numbers.


    Smoke and dust shrouded the surroundings, but the Apaches kept firing with all their might.


    *Swooossh!* *BOOM!!!*


    *Wooossh!* *BOOM!!!*


    It was a massacre. The massive monsters that boasted numbers of over a hundred became barely a dozen. Such power was great to wield and easy to abuse.


    No wonder several men had be dictators after tasting the strength of military power. In their eyes, as long as they held the military, nonewould be able tostop them.


    Meanwhile, in the ck Hawk, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell observed the horrific sight unfolding before himwith calm. Yellowish lights radiantly gleamed in instants while thunderous echoes followed.


    The northern teau became a battlefield. Two cleavers of death gave the hammer of execution to those who assaulted the personnel of the United Navy.


    And to think there would be hundreds of such cleavers in the future.


    The power of modern military technologies and doctrinewasn''tto be underestimated.


    "It will take time for the northern teau to be cleaned up,"Campbell muttered since the northern teau would obviously be a quarry of the United Navy.


    Its minerals were lucrative to the machine of the United Navy. It was something they needed to extract, store, and refine. After all, the UN must grow.


    The 2nd Lieutenant observed the passing evergreen trees below him. While the foreign worldwasn''tmuch more different than the former one, it still had its strangeness.


    When Campbell heard of the monsters and saw them with hisveryown eyes. He understood that he underestimated the foreign world. It was no wonder why the Fleet Admiral sought caution in their operations.


    If such monsters existed onnd, what kind of abominations could live under the sea? Without the limits of weight, how big could they get? Especially with theirspecialbiology.


    The maritime security mission would be problematicto aplish, but as said before, they were the United Navy. For they are the sailors of the seas, in the deep blue shall they go.


    Minutester, the ck Hawk arrived at the airstrip of the Port of Dawn. Campbell observed the busy airstrip and saw three ck Hawks with various personnel stepping out.


    He smiled in relief after seeing his men alive.


    As the transport helicopter, Delta 1-1,nded. 2nd Lieutenant Campbell stepped out and headed towards the Marine formation of the Bravo Task Force.


    His steps were steady while his Marines followed from behind.


    Itdidn''ttake time for Campbell to stand before the Marine formation. He saluted at themandthey saluted back with a grunt.


    "All of you look bad,"Campbell smirked at his men in the Bravo Task Force. The Marine officer who led the BTF Marines stepped forward.


    "We''veseen worse days, Sir!"The Marine officer grinned at the toon leader. Campbell felt proud of his Marines since none of them became a casualty during the evacuation.


    "Retreating from giant monsters. This is the first."Campbell remarkedandthe Marines around him chuckled.


    Fighting against otherbatants was their job. Trying to take down monsters was far from it. However, it was an intriguing change of pace for the Marines.


    "It is the first, 2nd Lieutenant. And we are fortunate to have not lost anything from it."A sagely voice entered their conversation. All of the Marines immediately saluted once again.


    What emerged beside them was an old white-bearded man. He was themanding officer of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux.


    He watched the Marines with interest with a smile on his face.


    "This will not be the only moment we willbe fightingagainst monsters, men. The challenges of the United Navy will be difficult and rough. But as the Fleet Admiral had said. We, the United Navy, are destined to be in this world."


    "As such, we will prevail!"After the short speech of the captain, the Marines gave their battle cries tomemorate it.


    """Oorah!!!"""

 Chapter 13: | 013 | A Week following the establishment of the United Navy

    A week has passed since Abraham''s transmigration into the lone ind in the middle of nowhere. After summoning the Port of Dawn and the UNS Light Bringer, life has been somewhat busy for the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy.


    Signing documents was his everyday duty, and it wasn''t unfair to say that it was boring. Although, there were some big decisions here and there. Most of it was for logistics applications.


    Other than writing his signature on various documents, he also went through some hellish training with the Marines.


    His disappointing strength mustn''t be ignored, so when he was finished with his duty as the Fleet Admiral. He mostly spent his time training.


    As said before, he had no desire to stay weak for the rest of his life. After all, with Systema and the Naval Gacha System, he was bound to reach the peak he formerly could never have dreamed of.


    And to reach the peak of this world was bound to its own perils and challenges. He might possibly die, and to lower such chances, he needed to be stronger.


    The hellish training was simple. It was the usual training of the Marines times ten. With his indefinite recovery, his strength would continue to grow as he broke his body apart.


    So, a harsh training regimen wasin order touse the perk of indefinite recovery to its full potential.


    This brought out an unexpected result that changed Abraham. Before, he was on the skinny yet healthy side of the spectrum. But after going through the horrific training, he became better.


    His strength advanced leaps and bounds. Lifting 150 kilograms wasn''t a problem, and he could even run 10 kilometers with it before copsing into the ground.


    As such, his stamina was also monstrous whenpared to the average.


    For some reason, Abraham also grew taller. His former height was 5.7 feet, but now¡­ He was 5.9 feet. Growing 2 inches forthe duration ofa week was a blessing for the middle-aged man.


    How many had wished to grow taller, but couldn''t because of the limitations of human potential. Once they reached their twenties, their height would be set in stone.


    This meant that there was no hope for middle-aged men like him. But fortunately, with his indefinite recovery, he had some potential left to continue to grow.


    But, the hellish training wasn''t without any problems. The pain lingered over his body as he strained his muscles, sprained his joints, or cracked his bones for the sake of growth.


    The feeling of getting stronger at a rapid pace was somewhat addicting for the middle-aged man. However, he never let himself be consumed by such addiction.


    It was hard to curb the addictive feeling, but he had self-discipline, which was aided by Systema''s remarks and opinions.


    She also brought out a good point during his training. Other than physique, his brain also needed some exercise.


    With this in mind, Abraham decided to go on a reading session after his grueling training with the crayon-eating cavemen.


    During the reading session, Abraham learned that his brain could understand concepts much easier than before. It was as if it was running in its earlier version, not the old and barely-working one.


    From economics, politics, general knowledge, military studies ranging from tactics and strategies, and finally logistics. What interested him the most was logistics.


    Logistics was the engine of the machine called the United Navy. It kept everything running and made sure that needed things were delivered to their destination.


    Abraham also knew that logistics could decide the battle. If your logistics were fast, efficient, and simple. You would practically steamroll an army with ease.


    The superpower in his former world was the greatest in logistics. Delivering military or utility supplies from across the world in mere days was something that couldn''t be underestimated.


    His second favorite was military tactics and strategies. It helped him a lot in understanding the ways of warfare.


    It also gave him some ideas about how things like thest operation of resource inspection could be avoided.


    There were also the naval strategies which discussed various strategies used in different eras. From the age of exploration to the industrial age, the early 20th-century era, the Cold War, andstly, the modern age of naval warfare.


    Since the foreign world might be a fantasy world, he ced his attention on the age of exploration and the modern age of naval warfare.


    Abraham''s warships were modern war machines of several nations in his past world. As such, he needed to know what they could be used on.


    The age of exploration was merely to understand the strategies of the locals that might appear sooner orter on the high seas.


    From what Abraham could tell, the only thing he needed to do was maintain distance. Medieval ships required close to mid-range adversaries to fight effectively.


    Staying 10 kilometers away from wooden ships should be a sufficient strategy.


    At any rate, Abraham learned a lot during his reading session that spanned hours in the afternoon and evening. But he wasn''t the only one that grew.


    The Port of Dawn was expanding its influence throughout the fairlyrge ind. Naturally, it was far from truly epassing the ind''s true entirety. However, the United Navy already had a topographic map of thendmass.


    And it was intriguing, to say the least.


    As said before, the ind was a quarter of the size of Britain. It was gigantic, but far from the biggest. For betterparison, it was more or less the same size as Irnd.


    However, what mattered to Abraham wasn''t its size, but its unique shape.


    The ind, although a bit rough around the edges, resembled a crescent shape. The interesting shape faces the northeast, unlike the Port of Dawn overlooking the southwest.


    So, one could consider it a crescent-shaped ind. Though, it would have been perfect if not for the wide beach in the southwest where the Port of Dawn dwelled.


    It was as if someone had taken a bite off the crescent moon.


    There was also its terrain. The beach where the Port of Dawn resided was the only ce where one could enter the ind with ease. All of its coasts were riddled with cliffs and rocky ridges.


    Its waters were also dangerous as one could get into a shipwreck if they weren''t careful enough.


    This was the circumstances of the northeast, which was unlike the calmness of the southwest.


    This was a piece of good news as there was no need for the United Navy to defend every coastal front. With the Port of Dawn acting as a gateway, the ind was practically secured for the United Navy.


    Anyhow, as the ind was without a name, the Fleet Admiral was given the honor to name it. Fortunately, although rather basic, Abraham managed to give it an umon name.


    After all, one would usually name it Luna, for the sake of simplicity.


    The ind''s name was Crescere, simple, easy to remember, and hard to forget. Its given name became a part of the official records in the United Navy.


    This would mean thatter in the far future, Crescere would still be its original name.


    Such official records were maintained by the branch office of the Port of Dawn. And with it being the current headquarters of the United Navy. Crescere would be embedded in stone.


    Speaking of the Port of Dawn, its expansion meant two things for the United Navy.


    The creation of a quarry located on top of the northern teau and the acquisition of an oil field settling in the eastern grasnd.


    At the moment, the Port of Dawn was busy setting up the outpost for the construction project. The first thing they needed to do was build a highway connecting the Port of Dawn to the two resource acquisition sectors.


    The highway didn''t need to be concrete. It can be a big dirt road leading to the northern teau or the eastern grasnd.


    Its job was to aid the development and logistics of the construction project. After all, using helicopters as delivery trucks during the entire construction operation was inefficient and costly.


    The northern highway was nned to be about 35 kilometers, while the eastern highway was shorter with a length of 20 kilometers.


    Since clearing the trees and foliage in the way of the road was the only thing they needed to do, the highway wasn''t expensive and was swift to make.


    Currently, 68% of the highway project has beenpleted. The remaining percentage would bepleted in three to five days.


    Other than the highway, several facilities were also constructed with some factories already in operation. Naturally, this caused a problem of dwindling supplies.


    However, ording to Lieutenant Commander Morgen, it would take three weeks before they zeroed their stored supplies. It was enough to try to mitigate and stabilize the consumption and start resource collection.


    So¡­ Both Abraham and the United Navy were working hard to grow. And since a week had passed. It was time for the long-awaited operation.


    The maritime-security mission.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    It was early in the morning, and the golden sun rose from the lines of the boundless horizon. As its radiant sunlight pierced through the heavens and the earth, a new day began.


    In the Fleet Admiral''s office was Captain Lux of the UNS Light Bringer and Lieutenant Commander Morgen of the Port of Dawn. Before the two officers were the highest of navalmand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    The two high officers of the United Navy had been called upon the Fleet Admiral''s office for an important meeting.


    After a week of growth and development, Abraham was assured of the Port of Dawn and the UNS Light Bringer''s capabilities to handle the uing Naval Task.


    In simpler terms, it was time.


    The Fleet Admiral had a sharpened gaze while gazing at his officers. He looked much bigger and more intimidating than before. The result of his hellish training gave him a subtle dominating aura.


    His raven-colored hair was lustrous, brimming with vitality. While the Fleet Admiral''s jet-ck eyes were as cold as the frozen Arctic, giving others a sense of oppression.


    After some time staring at his subordinates, he finally opened his mouth. A deep yet calm spoken voice escaped his lips.


    "Are your forces ready?"

 Chapter 14: | 014 | Unfolding Naval Task

    Abraham''scold yet calm words echoed throughout the FleetAdmiral''soffice. They had taken their time to prepare for the Naval Task, so he expected them to be ready. Fortunately, his high officersdidn''tdisappoint him.


    "The UNS Light Bringer is ready for the maritime-security mission, Fleet Admiral. We only need your official orders to start sailing."Captain Lux said with unrivaled confidence.


    "It is the same for the Port of Dawn, Fleet Admiral. We have stored the needed supplies for the maritime security mission in the UNS Light Bringer. The highways are also near theirpletion."Lieutenant Commander Morgen reported with aposed tone.


    Hearing their words, Abraham felt relieved as things finally came to fruition. Hedidn''twish to waste any time anymore, especially when their resources were getting emptied from their warehouse.


    "That''sgood. I supposeit''stime for us totalk aboutthe maritime security mission."Abraham smiled at his subordinates and took out a map out of nowhere.


    Where this map came from was a question that emerged in the minds of his officers. However, they decided to not question the ways of their Fleet Admiral.


    Lieutenant Commander Morgen and Captain Lux stepped closer to the table. They observed the map with a scrutinizing gaze and noticedthat itwas an entire map of their waters.


    Howtheir Fleet Admiral managed to get a perfect map of their waterswas another question.But, like before, they decided to not inquire about it.


    "In this map is the route where our maritime-security mission will take ce. As you can see, we are circling the ind in a diameter of over hundreds of kilometers." Abraham calmly pointed at the map.


    There were some inds on the map, but the Fleet Admiraldidn''tseemto beinterested in them.Itseemsthat only the route mattered, which wasa piece ofgood news.


    Traveling to inds were useless for their current operations. Besides, the UNS Light Bringer was a destroyer. Making it act like an amphibiousnding dock wasn''t an excellent idea for the United Navy.


    "From the route you have given us, Fleet Admiral. It will take several days for us toplete the mission."Captain Lux muttered with a frown on his face.


    "Correct, the route is somewhat long. Though¡­ It is an urate one. As such, we will have to spenda week at mostin the sea."The Naval Task was something that needed to bepleted.


    If Abraham wanted the United Navy to grow, he had to roll the gacha and get more ships. Otherwise, they will be stuck in stagnation, which was the worst fate inAbraham''sopinion.


    "Isee¡­ The UNS Light Bringer can handle the duration of the travel. But¡­Aren''twepletely alone on the high seas? Who knows how much danger lurks in its abyss. If something happens to the destroyer, the Port of Dawn will be toote to respond."


    CaptainLux''sopinion made sense. It was too dangerous togo on avoyage in an unknown sea with unparalleled dangers.


    But,never did the captainknow,Abraham had a strategy to win thecaptain''sheart.


    "More warships."


    "Iagree with the route of the maritime security mission. For the growth of our United Navy, risk must be taken to achieve higher rewards."Captain Lux almost said instantly.


    Lieutenant Commander Morgen turned his gaze towards the white-beardedold manandcouldn''thelp but shake his head. This old guy was too shameless.


    Well, shamelessness and thick skin were paramount to bing a high officer of the United Navy. They needed to grovel if they desired more budget to be allocated to them.


    "Since we havereached a conclusion,I''lso agree with the route. Although the Port of Dawn will not be able to support the voyage, we will continue aiding the growth of the United Navy."Lieutenant Commander Morgen aloofly said.


    "Now that we have concluded our route, We shall talk about our strategies in the maritime security mission."Abraham decided to continue their meeting.


    The second discussion was as simple as the first one. It wasmostlyabout the strategies they would implicate into their warships. In other words, the maritime security mission was a test.


    Itwas something thatcould help the United Navy understand how things work in this foreign world. The high seas, ocean life, deep-water ecosystems, and possibly monsters.


    These were subjects that needed to be investigated.


    The tactics of the United Navy when dealing with a possible incursion of a sea monster was the deployment of the Seahawks with anti-submarine warfare capabilities. They were the perfect machines against the sea monsters.


    This also included the destroyer, UNS Light Bringer.


    On the other hand, when speaking of medieval warships. Well¡­The tactics they would usefor this adversary would be seen sooner orter.


    At any rate,themeetingofthe highest ofmandssted for some time.But after two hours, the meeting was adjourned by Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    They had already discussed what needed to be talked about. The only thing they needed to do was to start applying their discussion to reality.


    Captain Lux and Lieutenant Commander Morgen saluted him once again and slowly left the confines of the FleetAdmiral''soffice. Abraham was left with the tranquil silence of his office.


    Abraham then turned his gaze towards the tinted windows of his office and saw the marvelous view of the UNS Light Bringer anchored on the dock. The warship was amongst the greatest testaments of modern warship engineering. Which made him a bit proud.


    He also noticed a hundred naval personnel going in and out of the destroyer, resembling an army of ants. It was quite an intriguing sight to see.


    ''They are working hard¡­''He smiled before furrowing his eyebrows after remembering that he had little to no information about this foreign world.


    ''This will be the UnitedNavy''sfirst naval operation. Wehave tobe cautious of threats from both the heavens and the abyss below us.''Abraham clenched his fist and became unwavering in his fears.


    Who knows. It might actually be a goddamn world brimming with all kinds of sea monsters or some abyssal horrors of the deep ocean.


    Just imagining the implications of wildlife on the ind gave him chills of thought about the things that could be below the sea.


    But,Abraham decided to notthink too muchabout it. He shook his head and threw the thoughtin the back ofhis mind. There was no need to fearmonger himself.


    The only thing he needed to do was prepare and stay cautious.


    "Ihave dozens of freedom warheads in my arsenal.I''llbombard those sea monsters, if they ever exist, to bits."He muttered as a smirk appeared on his face.


    ''Damn, those cavemen are beginning to affect me with their single brain cell logic.''Abraham sighed as training with the Marines changed him. He felt his IQ decreased for some reason.


    But, he was getting better at doing his job as the Fleet Admiral. His acting was award-winning since he couldmand those scary-looking men without having his body freeze out of nowhere.


    Hedidn''teven need the aid of Systema when talking to his subordinates, which was a sign of growth on his part.


    Speaking of Systema, Abraham asked.


    "Systema, can you open the Naval Task screen again?"


    *Ding!*


    ¡ñ| Sea Surveince(Maritime Security Mission) |


    ?| The United Navy has little to no information regarding the seas theyfound themselvesplunged into. Their security is in a critical state. To stabilize the security of theUnited Navy and its region, the Fleet Admiral must deploy a warship for maritime security.


    The warship must follow the given sea routesandchallenges encountered along the way will be considered a part of themission''ssubtasks. (Reward: 1,000 Naval Points) |


    The day after the meeting of highmand...


    Early in the morning, the UNS Light Bringer sailed from the Port of Dawn and into the uncharted waters of the high seas. The destroyer followed a route provided by their highmand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd in traversing such waters.


    Where the route came from was a question of many. Buttheymerely thought of it as the unnatural powers of their honored Fleet Admiral.


    It was the first for the United Navy to navigate the foreign oceans of an alien world. This gave them trepidations and excitement of what was toe.


    In any case, several hours have passed since the UNS Light Bringer left its respective port. It was hundreds of kilometers away from the ind it came from.


    Nevertheless, nothing could be seen on the horizon of the high seas. It was but an empty water of limitless solitude.


    BothCaptain Lux and Fleet Admiral Shepherd understood that such vastness was natural for the high seas. But there remains a question about how big the new foreign worldreallywas.


    Though¡­ This questionof theirswas about to be answered as something came into the detection of the UNS LightBringer''sradar array.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    1100 Military-Time.


    In the middle of the high seas was the UNS Light Bringer plowing through the roaring waves. Thewarship''sradar antenna rapidly rotated with intense power. It resembled a metallic sea monster hunting for its prey.


    Inside the Combat Information Center(CIC), a radar operator of the UNS Light Bringer detected something in the wide radar array. He furrowed his eyebrows and swiftly announced it.


    "Sir, Tango detected 28 degrees, 145 clicks from the Light Bringer."The radar operator calmly reported to Captain Lux, who furrowed his eyebrows and ryed it to the Fleet Admiral.

 Chapter 15: | 015 | First Contact

    Located in the main deck level of the UNS Light Bringer, directly above the IC-Plot was the Combat Information Center, also known as CIC. This space served as the ship''s radar tracking room and also functions as a tactical center.


    It provides processed information formand and control of the near battlespace or area of operations.


    Inside the CIC were variousmunication and intelligence personnel manning the sophisticated electronics, and with them, were the highmands of the United Navy.


    One was themanding officer of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux. While the other was the highest ofmands in the United Navy, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    Recently, a Tango was detected at 145 clicks from the warship. It was located 28 degrees in the radar system, which meant that it was situated northwest of the warship''s current location.


    At that moment, Abraham and Captain Lux discussed the implications of the detected Tango.


    "Another vessel, huh¡­ That''s the first." Abraham sarcastically remarked since he started to doubt the existence of locals after meeting the emptiness of the high seas a couple of hours ago.


    "Should we trail the vessel, Fleet Admiral?" Captain Lux inquired as the Fleet Admiral was the highest rank in their station. As such, hearing his orders was paramount.


    "Naturally, of course. What the United Navycks is information. The unknown vessel might have the intelligence we desperately need." Abraham nced at the captain as if stating the obvious and continued.


    "Captain Lux, have the helmsman steer Light Bringer towards the Tango. Maintain a distance of 2 clicks and investigate what they are." Abraham ordered the Captain with remarkable ease.


    It appears that the study session after the grueling training with the crayon-eating cavemen was giving its results. He was now capable of effectively ordering his subordinates.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral." Captain Lux nodded in agreement and swiftly transmitted the orders to the bridge. His deep aged voice bellowed in its metallic chambers.


    *Helmsman, Starboard 10, and full throttle!*


    "Aye, Starboard 10 and full throttle!"


    After the helmsman heard of it, he didn''t hesitate to steer the warship 10 degrees from its former route. The waves continued to crash into the destroyer''s bow, like an unstoppable tide.


    As the UNS Light Bringer slowly turned starboard as previously ordered, Captain Lux gave another order to the helmsman.


    *Steady.*


    "Steady on 28 degrees Northwest, Sir!" The helmsman repeated while the naval personnel on the bridge observed the high seas before them.


    It looks like the CIC has discovered something interesting. Such was the thought present in their minds, which wasn''t far from the truth.


    Meanwhile, as the UNS Light Bringer pursued the unknown vessel, the Fleet Admiral and the Captain of the warship continued their discussion or spection.


    "What do you think the vessel will be, Captain Lux?" Abraham questioned since the captain might have the answer to their spectacr circumstances.


    "From their speed, which is 13 knots. We can specte that they must be a rather wooden ship with sails. And it must be a big one at that judging from its signature in the radar array." Captain Lux noted while looking at the radar system with a scrutinizing gaze.


    "That makes sense. A medieval ship might be our unknown vessel, Captain Lux. I hope that they won''t be violent when we start making contact with them."


    "It would be problematic to start hostilities over a misunderstanding," Abraham said with a calm nod. Making contact without prior information might be dumb.


    But it was now and never. Besides, where will they get the so-called prior information to begin with?


    "The high seas are empty, so if we go by the eras of our former world, this might be the new world for our locals. The unknown vessel might be nothing more but a merchant transport ship."


    "After all, spices were popr and expensive in the age of exploration. Severalpanies would want some pie in the massivemarket of spices." Captain Lux gave his opinion about the matter.


    "And if it isn''t merchant ship transporting spices, what could they be?" Abraham asked since he was curious about the possibility that the unknown vessel wasn''t about the spice trade.


    Hearing the words of the Fleet Admiral, Captain Lux merely furrowed his eyebrows. Abraham raised an eyebrow after noticing the serious expression on the captain''s face.


    It made him wonder what answer could have brought such a stern face on the captain.


    Soon, the old white-bearded man answered his question.


    "My conjectures aren''t based on evidence, but spections derived from our history. During the age of exploration, there was one business that rivaled the spice trade."


    The words of the captain also made Abraham realize what the old man was talking about.


    "Thergest lucrative business operation of human trafficking."


    "Also known as the ve trade."


    The ve trade was thergest human trafficking operation in history. It was mostly managed under the guise of the development of the New World where ves were transported from one continent to another.


    It broughtrge discement from the local continent and the new continent, which was still a propagating problem even in the modern age.


    In his old world, thews of very were formally abolished as it was practically against thew of human rights.


    But the damage was already done, and troubles were seeping into nations because of their history.


    Abraham hoped that the unknown vessel didn''t contain the ve trade that Captain Lux talked about. However, he could only hope. The question of whether or not the unknown vessel contained ves was something that would be sooner orter answered.


    "This is a problem, Captain Lux." Abraham wryly smiled and the captain of the UNS Light Bringer did the same.


    Their ethos and logos opposed the existence of very, so it would be problematic to see a nation promoting one.


    Though¡­ It might also be an opportunity. A way that could get the United Navy to be the strongest in the world. And that was through promoting the liberation of all sapient life.


    The UNS Light Bringer followed after the detected radar ping, or the Tango. Its speed, which was about 30 knots, was faster than the pace of their target.


    With this in mind, it shouldn''t take too much time for the UNS Light Bringer to perceive it in the iing horizon.


    After some time, about half an hour, the navigation personnel on the bridge took notice of something in the lines of the horizon. It resembled a dot, but through the lenses of their telescopes, it was something else.


    It was a medieval ship.


    The archaic wooden ship was alone in the high seas, but it seemedparativelyrger than the wooden ships of their former world. It was approximately 60 meters in length.


    When the UN naval personnel noticed the ship, they promptly reported their discoveries to the CIC. Their words escaped the confines of amunication device and were heard directly by the Fleet Admiral.


    "Quite arge medieval ship we have here. It must be transporting something." Abraham nced at Captain Lux while uttering thest sentence.


    The captain merely nodded and they continued with their conversation.


    "Since they are in our line of sight, we should make them stop and conduct inspections. It might seem intruding, but we need to be clear that they are stepping into our maritime waters." Abraham said with a stern voice.


    He was evidently gunning on discovering what the hell the unknown vessel was transporting inside its cargo bays.


    "I have the same thoughts, Fleet Admiral. We must announce our presence through the speaking trumpets and have them ept our inspection. If our previous deductions are right, this sea is the new world of this foreign world."


    "The territorial ims of nations are only applicable if they have the power to protect such ims." What Captain Lux meant was one thing.


    The United Navy was free to do anything. Dering a sea as their territory will be easy. And if the other nations dared to oppose it, then what could they do about it?


    Try to fight against a modern navy? Obviously, this thought was for the future. But it was their duty to build the foundation for the future.


    "Use our fog horns and have someone stand in the ship''s bow with a speaking trumpet. We need to open upmunication with our fellow sailors from the other side." Abraham calmly ordered, to which the navalmunication operators nodded with ease.


    They immediately scattered the orders and all personnel in the warship were in aplete state of performance. Meaning, they were working full-time.


    On the bridge, the orders of the Fleet Admiral were heard. The helmsman slowly nodded at the naval personnel beside him as they calmly activated their fog horns.


    To be honest, the deep growling bass of the fog horn was terrific, to say the least.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    Meanwhile, in the high seas of the northwest was a giant metallic warship chasing after a medieval ship. It crashed against the rough waves of the deep blue and maintained its great speed with remarkable ease.


    Unfortunately, it didn''t end with the horrific appearance of the metallic warship. Its fog horns bellowed from it, like the deep growl or roar of a hungry sea monster.


    *BURRRMMMMMMM!!!*


    The loud, harsh, and unpleasant sound reverberated throughout the roaring seas and the calm azure heavens. It wasn''t something enjoyable to hear, but there was none anyone could do about it.


    As the metallic destroyer or the UNS Light Bringer, got nearer to the medieval ship. A figure in the warship''s bow pulled out a long-speaking trumpet.


    They pointed it towards the medieval wooden ship and beganmunication with the ones on the other side.


    *THIS IS THE UNS LIGHT BRINGER OF THE UNITED NAVY!*


    *YOU ARE TRESPASSING THE MARITIME SECURITY ZONE AND WILL BE HELD LIABLE THROUGH INSPECTIONS!*


    *I SAY AGAIN! YOU ARE TRESPASSING THE MARITIME SECURITY ZONE AND WILL BE HELD LIABLE THROUGH INSPECTIONS!*


    *PLEASE CLOSE YOUR SAILS AND PEACEFULLY ACCEPT THE INSPECTION. OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE INCLINED TO USE FORCE TO SUBJUGATE YOUR ILLEGAL TRESPASSING!*


    *BURRRMMMM!!!*


    After the thunderous voice that left the speaking trumpet, another fog horn followed. Such actions were undoubtedly intimidating, which was true for the sailors in the spoken medieval ship.

 Chapter 16: | 016 | Pinguis Arca

    In the seemingly vast and endless high seas was the massive brig, Pinguis Arca. Known to many as a merchant ship, it was built with majesty and intricate design. A somewhat peculiar choice for a typical trading vessel.


    Nevertheless, the Pinguis Arca consisted of a hundred sailors in its quarters, including the captain in his cabin. Quite an interesting amount of crew for arge brig.


    The Pinguis Arca was returning from its voyage and was about to dock in nearby colonies to sell its goods. After all, the crew was barely keeping them alive.


    But unfortunately for the so-called merchant ship, a strange circumstance struck them out of nowhere. Their peaceful return became riddled with chaos and fear.


    After all, something was chasing them from behind. A metallic warship that loomed over the sizable merchant ship''s silhouette. Despite its titanic size, it was faster than them.


    It plunged into the rough waves with ease, like a predator pursuing its prey.


    *Ding!* *Ding!* *Ding!* *Ding!*


    The bell rang throughout Pinguis Arca as the crew was alerted by the fog horn that escaped the warship behind them. It was thunderous as it reverberated through the air.


    *BUUURRRRRMMMMM!!!*


    They would have misunderstood it as some sort of monster if not for its intricate ship design that made things obvious for the sailors in Pinguis Arca.


    A voice then escaped from the bow of the metallic warship. Everyone in the wooden merchant ship heard of it, loud and clear.


    *TH1- 1- THE UN- LIGHT BR1NG3R #F THE UN1T3D NAVY!*


    *Y#U ARE TR3-PA--1NG THE MAR1T1M3 S3CUR1TY Z#NE AND W1LL B3 H3LD L1ABL3 THR#UGH 1N-P3CTI#N-!*


    *1 -AY AGA1N! Y#U ARE TR3-PA--ING THE MAR1T1M3 S3CUR1TY Z#NE AND W1LL B3 H3LD L1ABL3 THR#UGH 1N-P3CTI#N-!*


    *PL3A-E CL#-3 Y#UR -A1L- AND P3AC3FUL ACC3PT TH3 1N-PECTI#N. #TH3RW1-E, W3 W1LL BE 1NCL1N3 1N US1NG F#RC3 T# SUBJUGAT3 Y#UR 1LL3GAL TR3-PA--ING!*


    Despite the deafening warnings of the UNS Light Bringer, the sailors of Pinguis Arca could barely understand a word the ones in the metallic warship had said.


    A fat and scarred man with golden teeth then stepped out of the captain''s with an unpleasant yet naturally lecherous face. He nced around in confusion since he had recently woken up.


    "What the hell is happening!"


    He shouted at his crew with confusion and annoyance. His slumber was interrupted when his bastard men started ringing the emergency bell.


    Not only that, but some horn resounded in his cabin, making him almost sh*t his pants. He thought a sea monster was attacking them, only to sigh in relief a few secondster.


    If it really was a sea monster of some sort, the ship would have already sunk with him being asleep inside of it. So, he walked out of his cabin to find out the problem.


    "Captain Crassus, an unknown vessel is pursuing us!" The sailor manning the nest shouted at the captain below him.


    His name was Crassus, the captain of Pinguis Arca. He was amongst the richest merchants in the high seas of Ferus. And it was mostly because of his high-quality products that were popr with rich magi.


    Those guys would be willing to pay for products that could survive their research and experimentations in the realms of magicraft. He had previously heard the horrors they would create with it.


    Such horrors should be damned to never escape their cells or towers.


    At any rate, he was doing the same thing as before. Delivering special products into a colony and selling them to rich magi. However, it seems that things went wrong for the businessman.


    "Where the hell did theye from!"


    He shouted while looking at the metallic warship. For a second, his eyes shed with greed. He couldn''t help but wonder what would happen if he became the captain of such a ship.


    "We don''t know, captain! These bastards appeared out of nowhere and pursued us almost immediately. It was as if they were trying to find us."


    One of the crew, preparing to load gunpowder into their cannons, answered the questioning captain. Most were like him, preparing for the uing battle.


    But, Crassus wasn''t dumb. He understood that they stood no chance against the massive metallic warship. Not only that, it was faster than them despite its mighty size.


    "So¡­ What are they trying to do?" Crassus uttered another question. The crews stopped moving and looked at him simultaneously. They scratched their hair and shook their heads in confusion.


    One of the smarter sailors stepped forward and gave a conjecture.


    "They must want us to stop Pinguis Arca, captain! Otherwise, they would have already fired at us instead of ring their strange horns." His words made sense, and the others nodded in agreement.


    What the crewman had said made sense to Crassus. But why would they want to stop them from sailing? This question echoed in his mind, and then¡­ He finally realized.


    He slowly turned his gaze downward, pointing at the lower deck. His special merchandise shouldn''t be bothersome to anyone. However, at the moment, there was something a lot more exceptional even amongst his products.


    It was something he acquired with hard work and almost a quarter of his wealth.


    Those in the metallic warship must want the cargo that he spent his blood and sweat on. With this in mind, he clenched his fist in anger.


    Crassus red at the iing metallic warship that continued ring its horn. This kind of thing was piracy. His business was legitimate, and to think, others would dare to steal his hard work.


    He soon gritted his teeth and looked at the strange-robed man in the bow of Pinguis Arca. The robed-man didn''t seem to care about the circumstances the ship found itself in.


    This stranger was the trump card Crassus had hidden in his important travels.


    The captain of Pinguis Arca slowly walked towards the robed man and smiled respectfully at him. The one before him was a magus, a mythical man of great power.


    "Sir Magus, I believe that we might need your help in escaping the clutches of our adversaries," Crassus said while rubbing his hands and gently looking at the magus.


    Although, despite looking as soothing as possible, the captain looked even more disgusting than before. It made the magus quietly wonder if Crassus escaped from theirbs to start a business on the high seas.


    "Captain Crassus¡­ As you have given your payment before we left port, I shall give my services to youin ordance withthe contract. You desire to escape this undesirable situation of yours, correct?"


    The magus directly looked at the fat and crooked man''s greedy eyes. Crassus rapidly nodded his head in agreement since he wanted to escape from this bad moment.


    It might not have been possible with his crew alone, but with the help of the esteemed magus, their chances of escaping would be as high as the skies.


    "It looks like we are in agreement, Captain Crassus." The magus shook his head and slowly took out his grimoire.


    A grimoire was the greatest tool of magi in the art of magicraft. It was their library of spells that would aid them in efficiently casting one.


    In this foreign world, spells were constructed through two primary parts. The spell circle and the runguage. Forparison, a spell circle was the format while the runguage would be the programmable lines.


    Memorizing each rune stered in a spell would be inefficient, so magi used their grimoire to increase the spell-casting speed and decrease its chances of failure.


    The magus calmly went through the pages of his grimoire to find the best spell to escape their precarious circumstances. After a couple of seconds, he found the perfect one.


    It was a simple yet powerful spell called gust. Its main utility was through the disturbance of the environment, which would bother surrounding magi.


    One would wonder, how could such a spell help them escape? Well, the answer to that was rather simple.


    Point the spell towards the sails to elerate the speed of the medieval ship.


    As such, the magus didn''t waste any time and swiftly started constructing the spell with the help of his grimoire. The spell construction was another important part of magicraft.


    Spell construction would usually start with the materialization of a format called the spell circle. Following the format would be the runguage, in which the spell would be written.


    Throughout the creation of the spell which materialized and shone brightly in the air. The sailors of Pinguis Arca could only watch in amazement as the convolutions of runguage spun and acted like gears of a greater machine.


    In the duration of the whole process, the magus didn''t utter a single word as he did his work with grace.


    There was no need for magi to speak as the creation of magic merely required the maniption of mana. To them, not uttering a single word while performing a miracle was a prided finesse.


    "It took some time, but the spell isplete." The edges of the magus''s lips rose with arrogance clearly stered on his face. But such arrogance was understandable.


    To be able to manipte a part of reality was something to be proud of.


    At any rate, with thepletion of the spell, the magus didn''t dy activating it. The giant spell circle behind the Pinguis Arca''s sails shone brightly as a gust of wind soon escaped it.


    *WOOOOOOSSHHHH!!!*


    The sails of the ship were pressed forward, making the Pinguis Arca elerate its former pitiful speed. The crew held tightly onto the wooden railings upon meeting the force that was hastening them.


    All of them grinned while meeting the breeze of wind upfront. Their speed was faster than ever before. The metallic warship shouldn''t be able to catch up to them anymore.


    Sadly, however, as Crassus turned to look at the pursuing warship along with the others. They saw that its distance was the same as before. His eyes became wide-opened, while the magus furrowed his eyebrows.


    "H-how¡­" Crassus couldn''t believe what he was seeing before his eyes. With the help of the magus, their speed should be doubled than their former one.


    So, how could the metallic warship still catch up to them?

 Chapter 17: | 017 | A Greedy Ones Call for Help

    While the crew of Pinguis Arca was dumbfounded by the saddening failure of their escape, the esteemed magus''s frown faded from his face as he giggled at their predicament. He slowly nced at the fat captain of the merchant ship and remarked.


    "Captain Crassus,it seems thatour adversaries cannot be underestimated."


    His words resounded amidst the silence that shrouded the medieval brig. With it, the sailors managed tostep out oftheir tranced state and turned their gaze towards the captain.


    Crassus noticed their gaze and awkwardly chuckled with helplessness.


    "Do we have another way of escaping?" After chucklingfor a moment, he asked the magus beside him an important question. If the answer was yes, then there was hope.


    If otherwise, he would have to pull his connections. And his connections were expensive to utilize. But for the sake of his cargo and life, he would have to ept more sacrifices.


    "There is a long-range teleportation spell, but unfortunately, it can only have me as the object of spatial transfer. So sadly, all of you have no way of escaping."


    The magus was honest as he proudly implied that he couldretreat from their circumstances with ease.They would all be left behind in PinguisArca,to be eaten by the predator behind them.


    "I see¡­ You! Give me the runicmunicator!" Crassus wasn''t offended by the arrogance of the magus since it was natural for them to be narcissistic bastards.


    He only ordered his subordinate to give him a runicmunicator. An expensive device in his wealthy vault of precious artifacts.


    A runicmunicator was an advanced device created by magi for long-rangemunication betweenrge distances. They employ an engraving of runic spells which deploys transmission runes.


    However, one would wonder. How could people who weren''t magi use the runicmunicator? Well, those who weren''t magi can utilize the runicmunicator through their innate mana capacity.


    Every human in the foreign world has an innate mana capacity. But to be a magus, their innate mana capacity must be exceptional enough to affect the mana in their surroundings.


    As such, amongst the poptions of humans in the foreign world, only a percent could be magi. However, one mustn''t underestimate the sole percent as they rule over the entirety of humanity.


    The runicmunicator was soon brought out of his cabin. It would have resembled a bar of silver if not for its runguage gleaming with inexplicable radiance.


    Crassus held the runicmunicator tightly and took a deep breath. The esteemed magussimplyobserved him with interest, not bothering to do anything.


    "Connect to the runicmunicator of the Colonial Dominion of Terra." When he uttered such words, the luminescent marks of the runicmunicator blinked rapidly.


    The Colonial Dominion of Terra was one of the seven great colonies in the Ferus Sea. It dwelled in the southwest of the Ferus Sea and was considered the trading hub that connected Europa to the New World.


    One could consider it a bridgehead between the old world and the new world. A sea where various opportunities lingered, waiting to be unveiled.


    But despite being considered the trading hub of the Ferus Sea, the sea surrounding the Colonial Dominion of Terra was rather empty because of its dangers that required escorts for every entry and exit.


    Crassus patiently waited for the transmission to be received, and it did.


    *Crassus, to think you would call me while I am enjoying my day. I hope you have a fair reason for why you interrupted my leisure.*


    *Otherwise, I will wait for you in my port along with my guards.* A weird-sounding voice left the runicmunicator.


    "Viceroy kas, I humbly request for your escorts to guard me from an unfortunate situation. I am being chased by an unknown metallic ship, intending to steal my cargo."


    "I desire your help in transporting the merchandise to your port," Crassus said with a respectful tone, but it soon threaten to disappear when he heard the next words of the viceroy.


    *Favors aren''t done for free, Crassus. I''m sure you understand that, correct? If you want the help of my escort ships, you must be willing to pay the price.*


    The captain of Pinguis Arca could only grit his teeth as he stopped himself from cursing at the bastard on the other side.


    "Naturally, Viceroy kas. I am willing to give you a discount for my merchandise after I arrive at the port. I am also willing to pay a bit more through products, personally~" Crassus was an excellent negotiator and knew what the bastard wanted the most.


    *It appears we are on the same page, Captain Crassus. I will be sending 4 escort ships that are near your location. It shouldn''t take more than twenty minutes for them to arrive.*


    *As a gift, I''lso be reinforcingyou with a squadron of my Wyvern riders. I''m sure there will be enough to handle the strange ship that has been pursuing you.*


    Theviceroybecame favorable after hearing about the discounts and personal gifts of the greedy captain. He couldn''t help but wonder about the things he would get.


    "Thank you for your assistance, Viceroy kas. I, Crassus, will never forget this favor." Crassus said with thenicesttone he could utter.


    *As should be.*


    With that, the transmission between the two was cut off. The runicmunicator slowly stopped blinking, and several secondster, Crassus cursed.


    "Damn that greedy bastard! How dare he!" As a wealthy businessman, Crassus was familiar with the politics of the Colonial Dominions. That bastard kas was amongst the colonial governors with the lowest poprity in their home nations.


    TheViceroywas practically a loser sent to handle the colonies of his respective nation. Forsomeone like Crassus, who has connections to various nobles ranging frommarquesses,anddukes,to even kings.


    Such bastards shouldn''t be bothering him.


    Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. He was trapped in a predicament that he must solve. And the solution was the entry of reinforcements.


    "You don''t look so good, Captain Crassus. Theviceroymust have given a despicable price." The magus appeared to be enjoying the moment.


    Crassus could only shake his head after hearing the magus''s words. His allies seemed to be unreliable or greedy.Even a fat bastard like him waspetent, orelse,his business would have never grown this much.


    "Please continue the activation of your great spell, Sir Magus. Reinforcements should arrive twenty minutes from now." Crassus uttered while the magus nodded with a grin on his face.


    The captain of Pinguis Arca looked at hiscrewmenand yelled at them with his screeching voice.


    "All of you! Make this ship sail faster! Throw whatever is useless! Even those goddamn garbage in the lower decks can be thrown overboard." Crassus returned to his cabin to have some drinks.


    On the contrary, his men began following his orders. They threw everything that they considered useless and heavy into the sea.


    This also included some of their merchandise that were injured and sick. It was always a horrific sight to see others from young to old getting thrown into the harsh seas.


    Nevertheless, such was the reality of the high seas.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    Meanwhile¡­ In the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, themunication and intelligence personnelwere gazingat the activated spell circle in amazement.


    Fleet Admiral Abraham looked at it with the same eyes as the others but with a hint of cautiousness. The implications of magic had already echoed in his mind after he considered himselfto bereincarnated into a foreign world.


    To seeit,with his owneyes,brought another feeling. That was interest and fear. Magic was a powerful and limitless mystical power of the natural world.


    Who knows what the limits were for those who wield it.


    "It looks like they aren''t open for our inspections, Captain Lux." Abraham coldly muttered to the captain of the UNS Light Bringer.


    His words were clear. They must act against the merchant ship before them. But before the two could discuss it, something surprising was unveiled before their eyes.


    Sailors of the giant medieval brig began throwing shadowy figures into the ocean. They could only describe such figures as humanoid, but nevertheless, it proved another thing to the United Navy.


    The bastards were ve traders.


    "I guess there is no need for a discussion. Captain Lux, debrief our Marines for a boarding action. Deploy them through our zodiacs. They will be rescuing hostages and dealing with hostiles on the ship. Tell them to subjugate the hostiles if possible."


    "After all, regardless of the opponents'' rotten brains, we need all the intelligence we can get."


    The Fleet Admiral didn''t appear to be in a good mood. His cold words signified his desire for the destruction of the ve traders.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. I''ll be reporting your orders to the 2nd Lieutenant." Captain Lux saluted Abraham and epted his orders without hesitation or dy.


    He swiftly stepped out of the CIC to meet with the marine toon on the lower decks. They must be fast in deploying their marines, since the less time the enemy can react, the better.


    Abraham was left behind in the Combat Information Center along with several of his naval personnel who were professionally operating their respective electronics.


    While his subordinates did their duties, thoughts passed through his head.


    He had just ordered the execution of men in a mere instant. He didn''t even hesitate and immediately followed through with his resolution, which was their deaths.


    It made him wonder if he was considering life as lesser than before. After all, his former self would never have deemed the death of others. Orperhaps,he was too confident of his morality.


    The middle-aged man couldn''t continue thinking about suchplicated thoughts as a mechanical bell rang inside his mind. Systema was finally up.


    *Ding!*


    | Maritime Security Subtask Detected! |


    ¡ñ| Hostage Rescue(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| A ve-trading ship has been detected sailing through the high seas. As the Fleet Admiral has promised maritime security in the region, it is standard for the United Navy to rescue the ves. For each hostage rescued from the grasp of the ve traders, 10 Naval Points are promptly rewarded after the Sub-Mission Completion. |

 Chapter 18: | 018 | Operation Bestowing Freedom

    In the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Abraham gazed at the digital disy of Systema detailing the sub-mission he had recently received. It was primarily about the liberation of hostages from their confines.


    He was honestly surprised by its emergence, but it was a wee one. It gave more incentives to save the hostages other than the bastards from the other ship stomping onto the United Navy''s ethos.


    10 Naval Points might not be muchpared to the thousand reward of the maritime-security mission. However, when collected inrge numbers, it couldn''t be underestimated.


    "Now that I think about it¡­ Shouldn''t there be a store in the Naval Gacha System?" Abraham quietly muttered as if remembering something vital. The subject of Naval Points brought about its three primary uses.


    To purchase a naval spin.


    To buy the acquired ships or warships in the store.


    To upgrade assets of the United Navy.


    Its store was slightly below the gacha tab of the status window. The store was unnoticeable since he took a look at it when he had no warships in his arsenal.


    With the Arleigh-Burke ss Flight III Destroyer, the store must have something to sellin ordance withthe information presented by Systema.


    Upon this realization, Abraham woke up from his contemtion and became more determined than ever before. He then opened his status window once again.


    "Systema, give me my status." He silently muttered while the other one instantly responded.


    *Ding!*


    ¨D¨D¨D


    | Naval Gacha System |


    ¡ñ| Bases |


    ?| Port of Dawn(Level 0) |


    ¡ñ| Gacha |


    ?| Random Naval Spin(1,000 NP) |


    ¡ñ| Store |


    ?| Arleigh-Burke ss Destroyer Flight III(2,000 NP) |


    -| Naval Points: (0) |-


    ¨D¨D¨D


    His status was the same as before, but the store had something else below it. It was none other than the Arleigh-Burke ss Destroyer Flight III with a price tag on it.


    The warship cost about 2,000 Naval Points, which was a lot. Though, it was somewhat understandable as the destroyer was amongst the best in his former world.


    ''One destroyer should be enough for now. What I need to do is increase the versatility of my naval force.'' After thinking about it for some time, Abraham reached an adequate conclusion.


    But nheless, it made him realize how poor he was. 2,000 Naval Points for a single warship was staggering. How the hell could he make a fleet of Arleigh-Burke Destroyers with this price tag?


    ''I hope the next warship I get is a lot cheaper than this destroyer.'' Abraham prayed inside his mind to the RNG God. He didn''t want the expensive ones anymore.


    A functioning and cheap one was enough for the Fleet Admiral.


    At any rate, he closed the status window and observed the escaping medieval brig through the monitor screens found throughout the Combat Information Center.


    After a couple of seconds, Abraham gave another order to his men. Such an order determined the fate of those thrown overboard by the ve traders.


    "Have some of our men rescue those who were thrown into the seas. Give them their needed medical attention, and regardless of how they look, don''t appear hostile."


    There was no confirmation that it was human ves that were thrown into the seas. So, Abraham gave them a subtle warning of what was toe.


    Upon hearing his orders, themunication operators nodded in understanding and directed it to the naval personnel on the upper deck.


    With the confirmation of themunication operators, Abraham continued to tackle his thoughts. To him, leaving others to die left a bad taste in his mouth.


    Even though he wasn''t someone you could call heroic¡­ An ordinary guy would feel ufortable when merely observing others they could have saved, especially when they could do so with ease.


    Other than that, there was also a rational side in him that favored such an action.


    Every hostage counted, ording to the sub-mission given by Systema. So other than not wanting to see others die in the blue waters, the Fleet Admiral didn''t desire to waste a potential 10 Naval Points.


    The naval personnel on the upper deck followed his orders without any hesitation. They quickly prepared their gear for the rescue operation and were also prompted to use some of the zodiacs in the warship.


    Only three zodiacs were deployed in this rescue operation as most would be used for the uing boarding action of the medieval ship, Pinguis Arca.


    The rescue team was rather quick as the zodiacs immediately found themselves floating in the rough seas. The personnel carefully stepped into their respective zodiacs, marking the beginning of the rescue operation.


    In the CIC, Abraham calmly watched the preparation of the rescue operation unfold. He was amazed by their smooth deployment into the rough waters.


    It seemed that the medical side of the United Navy wasn''t to be underestimated.


    Though¡­ The efficiency of his naval personnel did make him wonder what the marines and Captain Lux were doing in the lower decks of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "They are probably being debriefed by the captain." He muttered with a smile.


    Meanwhile, in the lower decks of the UNS Light Bringer was Captain Lux. Beside the captain was 2nd Lieutenant Campbell, the toon leader. And in front of him were the 42 Marines of the Alpha 1st toon.


    Captain Lux had a cold expression on his face as he watched the Marines standing in line with determined gazes. After some time of observing his Marines, he began the debrief.


    "The Fleet Admiral has ordered for your deployment, bringing about the first sea-based operation of the Marines. The operation will be called Operation Bestowing Freedom."


    "You will covertly board and take over a hostile vessel full of hostages. The Fleet Admiral has allowed for the execution of most enemies, but he also advises you to subjugate those that surrender for intelligence."


    "Your priority is to disarm the ship of its fighting capabilities. Afterward, the hostage rescue will be done. To do so, the Fleet Admiral has given you a couple of zodiacs for this operation."


    "The operation will begin in 1235, ETD 10 minutes."


    "Do you understand, Marines?"


    With the conclusion of his debriefing, Captain Lux calmly asked while gazing upon the toon of Marines with a scrutinizing gaze.


    A hostage rescue operation wasplicated to handle, especially on a moving vessel. They needed to be careful and covert while dealing with their adversaries.


    Captain Lux observed them, wanting to know what they felt about the operation.


    Fortunately, he wasn''t disappointed by his Marines.


    """Acknowledge!!!"""


    The Marines grunted and saluted to the Captain of the UNS Light Bringer with straightened backs. Met with such a scene, Captain Lux merely smiled at them with pride.


    "It seems that all of you are ready. I''ll take my leave, so discuss amongst yourselves of strategies regarding the uing operation." With that, Captain Lux nodded at the Marines and left them to handle their tactics.


    His duty was different from theirs. The only thing he needed to do was point them in a direction.


    On the other hand, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell gave a nod to the captain and watched him leave the location. Afterward, he began devising a strategy with his men.


    Captain Lux already gave them information about their target. Such intelligence was gained from various observations that began when contact was made.


    The enemies of the operation were ve traders sailing a sizable medieval ship. Somewhat strange, but ording to the file, the technological level of their adversaries wasparable to that of the 15th century.


    This was a piece of good news, as it made things easier for the Marines. However, the paper also gave warnings about a strange individual in the medieval ship.


    ''Someone that could use magic.'' Campbell wasn''t ignorant of magic and mages. Its existence was somewhat surprising, though it might be the reason why the naval personnel were working extra hard.


    Handling a magic practitioner was the first for the Marines, the only thing they could think of to handle the opponent was to hit the guy as hard and quick as possible.


    Perhaps, air support would handle whatever magic shenanigans their magic foe has.


    Other than the guy with the capabilities to use magic, most of their opponents were normal humans. Their expected weapons were flintlocks, sabers, and probably rifles.


    Their number seemed to reach over a hundred, which would be troublesome to handle as things might be bloody on the deck of the medieval ship.


    ''It''s a bit disappointing that we will be handing a mere pirate group. But it''s a good snack for my Marines.'' Campbell felt a bit disappointed.


    The crayon-eating men were one of the unique groups in the military. They were cavemen at heart, so they were simple-minded and loved picking fights.


    A challenging mission would excite them, thus handling pirates instead of an actual military adversary would be dispiriting in their point of view.


    But regardless of their opinions, a mission was a mission. It was an order from their highestmand, Fleet Admiral Shepherd.


    So, with this in mind, it must be aplished and the hostages have to be rescued along with the intelligence stuck in that medieval ship.


    The 2nd Lieutenant took a deep breath as his gazended on his subordinate marines.


    It was about time.


    "Marines, let us wreak havoc on these old-era bastards!" Campbell grinned and snickered to his fellow Marines. The Marines raised their assault rifles upward and gave their typical war cries.


    """Oorah!!!"""


    And so, the second contact and the first battle operation of the United Navy began. The Marines swiftly concluded their preparations and stepped into the zodiacs. Afterward, Zodiacs were deployed into the water one after another.


    The strategy of the Marines was simple. Zodiacs would covertly secure itself into the medieval ship and the Marines would be free to board the massive brig.


    Other than that, the Marines were open to st the sh*t out of the goddamn KKK.


    At the same time, the rescue operation was underway. The rescue personnel pulled out one of the hostages stuck in the water and was about to give them first aid.


    However, when the hostage left the cold captive of the high seas, the rescue personnel found themselves bewildered.

 Chapter 19: | 019 | Beastfolk

    Abraham walked through the narrow metallic hallway with a grave expressionon his face. Something was discovered during the rescue operation of the naval personnel, requiring his assistance as the Fleet Admiral.


    His steps echoed on the metallic floor while the hum and the shuddering lights reverberated around him. The atmosphere was static, but he was already used to such ambiance.


    It didn''t take a minute for him to reach the upper deck of the UNS Light Bringer. The ray of lightthenimmediately shrouded his entire being, bringing about the sun''s warmth.


    He instinctively closed his eyelids and covered his eyes with his arms. The sun was blinding for someone who was stuck in the Combat Information Center for hours.


    As he stepped into the upper deck of the destroyer, Abraham took notice of a gathering of naval personnel.


    He raised an eyebrow and slowly walked towards them. When the naval personnel noticed their Fleet Admiral, they gave way and saluted him with the utmost respect.


    "So, what''s going on?" Abraham questioned the naval personnel who requested his assistance. One of them stepped forward and exined their reasons for calling him.


    "We believe this requires your attention, Fleet Admiral." The naval personnel unveiled the ones they had rescued from the rough and cold seas.


    What Abraham saw was astounding, to say the least. They were beasts with humanoid forms. The onlything differentwas that they had tailsandtheir heads resembled their animal counterparts.


    Other than that, they had a human body, though mostly covered with fur.


    ''This is¡­'' Abraham found it hard to utter asingleword about this newly discovered species of intelligent lifeforms.


    While elves, dwarves, and even orcs were expected, the anthropomorphic beasts were far from what they had formerly thought to be a race of this foreign world.


    ''As expected of the foreign world, itnever fails to surpriseand amuse me.'' The edges of Abraham''s lips rose as he carefully observed the recovered hostages.


    Most of them were wet and covered in warm towels provided by the naval personnel.But they seemed frail and docile,which was perhaps the result ofbing ves.


    The group of rescued hostages could be separated into three. Mostof themwere humanoid badgers, with others being humanoidantelopes,and some resembling humanoid rats.


    There were men and womenin the group, though it was hard to differentiate them as all were scrawny interms ofappearance.


    But there were somegreatdifferences, which were thechest and typical body shape.


    To be honest,the more he observed them, the more Abraham desired to know better about this race.


    ''Systema, can I understand or speak theirnguage?'' He wanted to know if his fellow partnerhad the capability totrante otherworldlynguages.


    It didn''t take a second for a mechanical bell to ring inside his head.


    *Ding!*


    | Does the Fleet Admiral wish to activate the diplomacy perks of the Naval Gacha System? |


    "Diplomacy what?" Abraham found himself confused as he merely wished to know whether they or he could understand one another.


    | Diplomacy perks are disabled perks used for diplomatic circumstances such as meeting others with foreignnguages or understanding the sentiments of others. |


    | Does the Fleet Admiral wish to enable it? |


    Hearingthecold yet feminine monotone voiceof Systema, Abraham nodded in understanding while tackling what Systema had said inside his mind.


    Diplomacy was something he never thought of during his time in this world. It was simple yet alsoimportantfor the growth of the United Navy. However, he was still ignorant of it.


    Abraham wasn''t inclined to be ignorant of the formidable aspect known as diplomacy.It was something that he, as the Fleet Admiral, needed to understand.


    With this in mind, he didn''t dyanyfurther and wanted Systema to enable it.


    ''Please enable it, Systema.''


    *Ding!*


    | Enabling Diplomacy Perks¡­ |


    | Diplomacy Perks enabled! |


    ¡ñ| Brand of Loyalty(Unlocked) |


    ?| The Brand of Loyaltyis whatensures the protection of the naval force and the Fleet Admiral from subsequent betrayals of those who aren''t under theauthority of the system.|


    ?| It corresponds to the color of emotional sentiments of nearby beings in the form of emitted colors. The first of such colors is white,pertaining toneutrality. The second is the radiant gold, which describes loyalty. The third is ck which disys animosity. Andstly, the fourth is red which invokes hostility. |


    ?| As a piece of additional information, the intensity of such colors determined the strength of the emotional sentiments of nearby beings. So, there''s no need for the Fleet Admiral to worry about blind alliances in the future. |


    ¡ñ| Throne of Babel(Unlocked) |


    ?| The Throne of Babelgives the abilityto understand and speak otherworldlynguages. It is vital for clearprehension of intentions and helps in appreciating foreign species of their true selves. A rather simple perk of the Naval Gacha System. |


    The information disclosed by Systema wasn''t to be underestimated. Although the diplomacy perks only consisted of two, they were already overpowered enough for someone like him.


    ''From what was exined, I can detect whether or not they are loyal to me or hostile. This Brand of Loyalty isextremely useful.'' Abraham understood his fragility in politics.


    The new perk was useful for someone who was inexperienced in the ways of politics like him. After all, he had no idea how to read faces or understand the hearts of others.


    He could only remain cautious and guard his heart.


    Abraham knewthat this kind ofbehavior wasn''t a solution to theproblem,but a fuel instead. It worsened his social abilities to the point he was socially crippled beyond relief. Distrust, fear, and paranoia practically made him alone.


    It turned him into a loser, and to be better than his former self, he understood the significance of opening up.


    At any rate, he was thankful for the perk given by Systema. With this, he wouldn''t have to guard his heart to thosewhohe had no idea were loyal to him.


    He merely needed to observe them to understand their sentiments towards him.


    Though¡­ There was also the perk, Throne of Babel.Anotherusefulperk thatgives him the abilityto understand others andalsospeak in theirnguage.


    This would make it easier for Abraham to talk with other races in this foreign world without worrying about learning a newnguage.


    "Thank you for the new perks and your exnation, Systema." Abraham felt grateful to his partner for elevating his troubles.


    *Ding!*


    | You''re wee, Fleet Admiral. I am pleased to aid you. |


    Abraham simply smirked at her monotone response and returned to the problemin front ofhim. The middle-aged man stepped closer to the anthropomorphic beasts and immediately saw colors of light above them.


    The light was coal-ck in color as it radiated darkness from itself.Hefurrowed upon meeting such a sight, but it was understandable for the hostages to feel this way.


    Those in the United Navy didn''t look much different from the humans of this foreign world. The humansthat torturedfor fulfillment and made them ves.


    Thus, they fenimositytowards the naval personnel.


    So,in order toturn the tide of sentiments back to positivity, Abraham needed to separate the United Navy from the humans of this world.


    "Hello, I am Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd of the United Navy. We are a naval force that upholds maritime security in this region." His words resounded in an unknownnguage.


    The naval personnel surrounding the group of rescued anthropomorphic beastsfeltsurprised by their Fleet Admiral''scapabilityto know an aliennguage.


    On the other hand, the beasts who were cautious and hostile felt surprised to hear someone speaking in theirnguage.


    They slowly turned their gaze and saw a middle-aged man with a pleasant smile on his face. As partly beasts with great instincts, they felt the sincereness of his words.


    It appears he wasn''t pretending to be kindin order totrick them.


    "We saw a ship passing through the region and wanted to inspect it due to security protocols. It''s a bit astounding that we would discover barbarians engaging in ve trade."


    Abraham was genuinely disgusted by the bastards who dared to enve people.


    "When we saw your people being thrown overboard into the ship. We understood that we needed to act fast and save the hostages kept in shackled chains. So¡­ I''d like to ask for your help."


    Through his words, the sentiments of the rescued hostages became lighter. The coal-ck light turned into gray as they nced at him with a tiny bit of hope.


    "W-What would you like to know, Esteemed One." One of the rescued hostages,who wasa humanoid badger resemblingan old man, asked Abraham.


    Abraham smiled at theold manand inquired more about them.


    "My questions are simple. I''d like to know what you call yourselves. After all, we aren''t too familiar with the geopolitical status of this sea." The middle-aged man desired to know of their race.


    The old man badger felt surprised and slowly answered the Fleet Admiral''s question.


    "We are the Beastfolk, separated into various tribes and divided by the sea. Our appearance might seem hideous to you humans, but-" Before the old man could continue, Abraham interrupted him.


    "None of us here see you as grotesque. While a bit unique, the reason why we observe you with scrutiny is because of curiosity. After all, this is the first time we saw someone of your race."


    Abraham needed to beclearto the rescued hostages that they were wholly different from the bastards on the ship. Talking beasts might be surprising, but as people of the modern world, there were others stranger than this.


    "I see¡­ It is an honor, Esteemed One." The old man badger lightly bowed. Abraham wanted him to stop but only shook his head. Theold manthen continued his exnation.


    "The Beastfolk are far from a united species as we only wished for the prosperity of our tribe. As such, it was easy for humans to divide and conquer us."


    "While it was unfortunate, it was to be expected." The old man badger sighed in disappointment.


    ''Beastfolk, huh¡­'' Abraham quietly thought to himself. With the emergence of a new intelligent race that looked far different from a human, he couldn''t help but be excited by its prospect.

 Chapter 20: | 020 | A Tragedy in the Skies

    After learning more about the Beastfolk and the sociopolitical issues of the Ferus Sea, Abraham ordered his naval personnel to give the rescued beastfolks medical assistance. The two cooperated seamlessly under his leadership while he returned to the CIC.


    In the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, troublesome news was reported to him. Several bogeys were detected by the destroyer''s radar system.


    The bogeys were heading at their location ata speed of250 mph or 402 kilometers per hour. This signified that they weren''tships,butpossibly,a group of aircraft.


    But asthought of before, the foreign world should be in their age of exploration. How could aircraft possibly exist so early?


    Well,assuming the same would happen to this foreign world like their former world was already foolish enough.With the existence of magic, history will never be the same.


    "Hmm¡­ When willtheyarrive at our location?" Abraham asked the radar operator. The radar operator nced at him and calmly responded.


    "The bogeys are already within 100 clicks from us, so they have an ETA of 25 minutes atmost,or 10 minutes at the earliest."


    Hearing the words of the radar operator, Abraham nodded in understanding. Another high officer then stepped into the CIC, itwas none other than Captain Lux who returned from the lower decks.


    "Did something happen, Fleet Admiral?" Captain Lux inquired as he walked towards Abraham.


    He immediately noticed the rapidly blinking dots in the radar system and understood the situation.


    "Bogeys, huh¡­ From their speed, they should be turboprops, at the very least¡­ However, their altitude tells me otherwise." Captain Lux furrowed his eyebrows.


    He analyzed the possibilities of what the bogey might be. But nothing seems toe to mind. They knew little to nothing about this world. So, their mere spections were useless.


    "What is the typical protocol for thiskind ofcircumstance, Captain Lux?" Abraham calmly askedashe hadn''t finished reading the book on modern naval warfare.


    While he was knowledgeable in some parts, this situation was far from his expertise.


    "Hmm¡­ Usually, we would radio a warning since it might be a lost civilian aircraft. And through a data link, we can conclude whether it''s afriendly or a bandit."


    "But currently, the UNS Light Bringer has no data linkandI doubt the other side will be able to answer our transmissions." Captain Lux was in deep thought.


    Decisions like these were hard, but there was one thing the captain understood above all else. He must protect the ship no matter what.


    As such, Captain Lux became determined and concluded his decision.


    "From the radar system, we can conclude that the bogeys are a squadron of aircraft. I doubt they would be civilians, so we''ll have to shoot them off the skies."


    Captain Lux exined his reasoning, and Abraham didn''t doubt it. Even though he wasn''t skilled yet in handling ship-to-aircraft-rted issues.


    He would have ordered it to shoot down since it resembles a squadron of bombers. Especially when the bogeys were employing the usual v-formation of military air to surface warfare.


    "How many bogeys are heading towards us?" Abraham coolly asked the radio operator,which the operatoranswered with efficiency and eloquence.


    "About 8 bogeys, Sir." With the radio operator''s answer, Abraham looked at Captain Lux and nodded at him. It was the confirmation of their next step of action.


    "Alright, a decision has been made. The fate of the detected bogeys is for them to fall from the skies. Battle stations! " Captain Lux ordered the naval personnel in the CIC, who swiftly attended the orders.


    The naval personnel in the Combat Information Center became battle-ready in mere seconds.Their reaction was fastasitdidn''t take longfor themtounch their missiles.


    "UNS Light Bringer, locking onto iing bogeys!" One of the Combat Information Center Naval Personnel uttered while another one responded to his words.


    "Utching 8 VLS Door Cells, Foxes are open!" Following the other one''s words, naval personnel announced theunch of their standard missiles.


    "SM-2 IIIB Ready! Launching in 3¡­2¡­1¡­" Seeding theunch sequence, the UNS Light Bringer lightly trembled as several standard missiles propelled themselves into the heavens.


    *WOOOSSHHH!!!* *WOOOOSHH!!!* *WOOSSSSHHHH!!!*


    The missiles moved at remarkable speeds over that of the speed of sound. They left behind thick clouds of white smoke as they rushed toward their targets with unmatched ferocity.


    Abraham could only watch the 8 standard missiles fly through the blue skies, making him fe bitempty. He, once again, ordered the execution of others.


    ''Oh, well¡­ What matters is that my men are safe and those bastards that dared to enve others meet with the devil.'' Abraham said with a cold expression on his face.


    He had changed as the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. He was far from his former self, a loser who could never take responsibility.


    And so, this was the price of change.He must leave hisfort zone as this foreign world was far fromapeacefulone.He had to protect himself and his subordinates.


    While also making sure that their interests were never harmed.


    ''But¡­ 8 standard missiles? How much does that cost?'' Abraham couldn''t stop himself from feeling regret. He probably spent over a million dors from firing such freedom warheads.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    A minute agobeforethe missileunch¡­


    In the skies above the high seas was a squadron of Wyvern riders piercing through the heavens atgreatspeeds. They were sent from a nearby colony to escort a vessel under their g.


    Wyvern riders were aerial assets of nations in this world. They were expensive and had the same importance as newly-developed aircraft of the former modern world.


    The creatures known as Wyvern were selectively bred war beasts of the magi and were extremely powerful and fastin terms offoreign world standards.


    These war beasts dominate the skies, andas of now,none other than magi can hurt them.On the other hand, there were the riders of thesemonstrosities.


    Riders were, to say the least, monsters of their own. They were specifically trained to handle wyverns and fly them at speeds no normal humans could handle.


    Not only that, they were also magi.These riders were capable ofbasicbattle spells, thougparedto actual magus.Their magicraft were less efficient andpelling.


    However, nheless, Wyvern riders wereimportantassets to any organization. Even the Wyvern riders in the Colonial Dominion of Terra only numbered in the hundreds.


    Thereby, these assets were only deployed to attack non-magi threats.


    Unfortunately for them, though¡­ These non-magi threats were a lot more fatal than they had previously thought.


    *Prepare yourselves! We are getting nearer to the vessel we will be escorting!* The leading Wyvern rider said through the runicmunicator.


    *I can''t believe that theviceroyis sending us for some goddamn escort.* One of the Wyvern ridersined about their current deployment.


    It was understandable. After all,theywere considered the second-greatest assets, with the first being magi. Getting deployed to escort some measly vessel would feel like disrespect.


    *I dare you to say that in front of theviceroy.* A female voice sounded out from the runicmunicator.


    The one whoined became silent, not wanting to say anything that could lead to his death. Despite being a foolish man, the rank of viceroy wasn''t to be underestimated.


    They could control a squad of magi as their personal guards, which was already an achievementon its own. Aviceroywas the highest rank of colonial lords.


    Naturally, they would beextremely importantto their respective nations,


    *Don''t clutter the channel! This operation isn''t a game. A metallic warship has been detected chasing over the vessel we are escorting.*


    *We don''t know much about them, and such technology shouldn''t exist yet in the open. So, I advise you to be cautious in this deployment.*


    *Otherwise, this will be yourst!* The Wyvern rider leader warned his subordinates to not diminish the threats of their adversaries.


    Underestimation would always lead to death. Even a magus was warned to not belittle their enemies'' capabilities, how could they, who could only be second to a magus, feel such arrogance?


    With his words, the Wyvern riders stopped making fun of their deploymentand becameserious.Those who wanted toin were prompted to shut their mouths.


    Although they felt disappointed by their deployment, the Wyvern riders weren''t brave enough to offend their leader, who was amongst the best in the Colonial Dominion.


    Asthey flew through the skies in silence, the Wyvern rider leader gave them vital information.


    *Four escort ships will be with us. So, if you''re feeling nervous. You don''t have to worry.* The leader tried elevating the atmosphere, earning the chuckle of his subordinates.


    *Then, it seemsthat wecan y with this pre-* Before the female Wyvern rider could continue, something struck her out of nowhere and exploded.


    *BOOM!!!*


    Fragmentations scattered throughout the skiescausingsomeof themetallic fragments to pierce a quarter of the Wyvern riders in the squadron.


    The Wyvern rider leader wasdumbfounded,but immediately got out of his stupor and ordered his subordinates to evade.


    *Evasive maneuver! Immedia-* Sadly, however¡­ The Wyvern rider leader couldn''t continue his warning as he was the next target.


    A missile directly hit his body and exploded with a thunderous roar.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The introduction of the missiles made the Wyvern riders go slower, but it was useless. One after another, the Wyvern riders were met with a barrage of swift missiles.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *NO, NO, NO-*


    *BOOM!!!*


    *PLEAS-*


    *BOOM!!!*


    *I DON''T WANT TO DI-*


    *BOOM!!!*


    In a few seconds, most of the squadron of Wyvern riders were annihted. Only one remained, and she felt horrified to see a ck smoke engulfing her colleagues.


    A tear escaped her eyelids as a missile was about to strike her. Though¡­ Before it could do so, her Wyvern turned its body, making her lose her grip.


    "No-"


    She fell from herWyvern,butfortunately, dangled several dozens of meters below it thanks to her strapped rope.


    But to say she was fortunate could be argued.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The female rider watched as the Wyvern she grew up with exploded into various bits. The rope strapped onto it was broken, propelling her into a free fall amidst the blue skies.


    She felt metallic fragments pierced through her skin as she instinctively covered her head and face in defense. While plunging downward, the female rider could only watch bits of flesh plummet from the skies with her.


    As the rapid winds ruffled her golden hair, memories of the tragedy echoed in her mind.


    Then¡­ It turned ck.

 Chapter 21: | 021 | First Naval Battle

    In the high seas between the expanse of the UNS Light Bringer and Pinguis Arca, several zodiacs pierced through the rough waters shrouded in ferocious waves. On them were the Alpha 1st toon Marines led by their toon leader, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell.


    *Tango 3 clicks away! ETA 8 minutes!* Campbell''s words resounded from the radio and were heard by every Marine partaking in the mission, Operation Bestowing Freedom.


    Five zodiacs were deployed by the UNS Light Bringer, each consisting of two fire teams. A single fireteam has four marines in its ranks, bringing about 8 Marines per zodiac.


    Operation Bestowing Freedom required the entirebined arms of the Alpha 1st toon as they would be rescuing hostages from hostiles that numbered over a hundred.


    They needed to be covert and immediately take out the hostiles before problems would arise. Otherwise, it would be a bloodbath for both sides.


    *Dolphin, this is Tuna, Over!* In Campbell''smunication radio, the familiar Marine officer''s voice sounded out from its confines.


    When he heard of the Marine officer, the 2nd Lieutenant raised an eyebrow wondering what the problem may be.


    *Dolphin is open, Tuna!* Campbell gave an appropriate response and the Marine officer uttered his concerns.


    *Dolphin, strange weather phenomena have been detected near the Tango. There seems to be a distortion of some sort.* Although it was hard to hear because of the roaring waves, Campbell could understand the gist of it.


    Campbell had one of his Marines give him a pair of binocrs. As he held a binocr with his gloved fingers, he began observing the situation surrounding their Tango.


    Through his observation, which took a couple of seconds, he confirmed the existence of a strange phenomenon near the medieval brig.


    *This is Dolphin 1, anunknown phenomenon confirmed! Sending intelligence to overwatch!* The 2nd Lieutenant swiftly dialed themunication radio.


    After dialing it, he sent a transmission about the unknown phenomenon surrounding the Tango. Campbell hoped that it wouldn''t bring them problems.


    Sadly, he jinxed it.


    Back to the Combat Information of the UNS Light Bringer, the intelligence officers received the information given by the Alpha Task Force.


    They immediately went to confirm it and promptly acknowledged the unknown phenomenon. Following the recognition, the officers reported it to the highermand.


    "Unknown phenomenon?" The Fleet Admiral furrowed his eyebrows after epting the reports of both the Alpha Task Force and the intelligence officers in the CIC.


    "Yes, Fleet Admiral Shepherd. It appears to be a strange distortion behind the Tango." The intelligence officer, who gave the report to Abraham, coolly nodded.


    "Does it have any other effects other than distorting something?" Abraham queried another question, but the intelligence officer could only shake her head.


    "No known effects have been discovered from the distortion."


    The answer somewhat disappointed Abraham, though he understood that they had little to no information about it. It''s not like they could experiment while undergoing a vital naval operation.


    ''Systema, do you have any idea about what the distortion might mean?'' Abraham asked his partner as she was the only one he could rely on.


    Fortunately for the middle-aged man, he wasn''t abandoned by his lovable partner.


    *Ding!*


    | Judging from the taken images and footage of the phenomenon, it can be judged as unnatural in status. Throughmon sense, if it is unnatural in status. One could mark the phenomenon as something influenced by a magical aspect. |


    The analysis of Systema was obvious, and the female monotone voice sounded as though it was mocking him for not being able to conclude such obvious things.


    However, his partner continued.


    | The images and footage imply gravitational and spatial anomalies behind the medieval ship. When thinking about what magical aspects could cause gravitational and spatial anomalies, one could conclude an obvious result. |


    | The unknown phenomenon in front of the Fleet Admiral is a spatial spell. |


    "A spatial, what?" For a gamer, Abraham seemed ignorant. But such was to be expected of boomers like him. They would probably only remember it when ying a game.


    | A spatial spell, or a spatial-transmission spell. I don''t have much information about how deep magic technology goes in this foreign world. Butit is fairly clear thatthey are employing it for either an escape or reinforcements. |


    "Exin it to me inly¡­ What is a spatial spell? Give me amon word." Abraham didn''t want to beat the bush anymore and wanted direct answers from Systema.


    For some reason, the middle-aged man could hear the sigh of his partner.


    | It''s teleportation, Fleet Admiral. |


    With the monotone words of Systema, Abraham finally realized the seriousness of their situation. However, before he could tell his subordinates about it, the spell wasplete.


    "Detecting loud radio frequencies, Fleet Admiral. It''sing from the Pinguis Arca!" Amunication personnel hastily reported.


    "Four unknown vessels have been sighted!" In the screens scattered throughout the Combat Information Center, all of them saw the emergence of their adversaries.


    Without any hesitation, Captain Lux dered with roaring haste.


    "All hands man your battle stations!" What followed the captain''s words was the ringing rms that echoed throughout the maze-like interior of the UNS Light Bringer.


    *Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!*


    *This is not the drill! This is not a drill! General quarters, all hands man your battle stations!*


    While the UNS Light Bringer was rmed by the shocking emergence of several unknown warships, the Alpha Task Force was directly in front of them.


    *Dolphin, this is Catfish, what is the prime directive?* A Marine officer asked for their current orders with the unexpected arrival of enemy reinforcements.


    *Catfish, the prime directive is for the operation to proceed.* 2nd Lieutenant Campbell understood that there was no going back for them. They must push through and let the UNS Light Bringer handle the unknown vessels.


    *Affirmative, Dolphin!* The Marine officer who questioned their prime directive knew the importance of following orders. It wasn''t in his rank to question it.


    *Catfish, Tuna, Sardine, Clownfish! Follow a tight formation with Dolphin!* Things would be even rougher for them as they would have to dodge iing unknown vessels.


    *Orders acknowledge, Dolphin!* In mere seconds, the open formation of the zodiacs becamepact as they were about to be pushed into enemy waters.


    *Half a click from enemy influence, prepare yourselves!* Campbell checked his rifle and the Marines under hismand did the same.


    Shooting while being punished by the vicious waters would be hard, but not impossible.


    On the other hand, the War masters of the escort vessels observed the metallic warship in its full glory. They furrowed their eyebrows as they felt no mana emanating from it.


    This made them wonder how such a giant metallic warship could float.


    "Men, prepare for battle!" The War master of the leading escort ship announced. He immediately deployed two defensive spells that would make his shipst longer in battle.


    The War masters were strategic-based magi. Unlike typical magi who learned personal spells, the War masters learned strategic spells that required the assistance of other War masters.


    So, if it was a game, they would be the supporting mages of the party.


    A secondter, the already prepared spells sprung up with their spell circles. One covered the entirety of the ship from above while the other faced forward to the metallic warship.


    The spell that covered the entirety of the escort ship from above was known as the defensive shell. It was an epassing barrier that defended the entire target.


    Conversely, the spell facing the metallic warship was known as the barrier. Unlike the defensive shell, which was spread out throughout the target.


    The barrier could only be faced in one direction but with unrivaled tenacity and endurance.


    Other War masters also did the same and rapidly used their defensive spells. It was practically the basic strategy of War masters to use such spells.


    After their defensive spells werepleted, the War masters nced at each other and activated their attack spells.


    One conjured a spell circle that would propel a giant icicle. The other used a spell that would throw fireballs. Another also utilized a spell of lightning bolts. Finally, thest one supported the power of the attack spells.


    *Woosh!* *Wiiisshh!* *ck!* *ck!*


    All of their spells pierced through the air as if threatening the destruction of the metallic warship. But the results upon contact were surprising for the War masters.


    The giant icicle couldn''t prate the metallic hall of the UNS Light Bringer, while the fireballs could only disperse on impact without dealing much damage. Lightning bolts also had the same results as the two.


    Their attack spells were practically ineffective against the thick steel armor of the destroyer.


    When they saw their spells'' feebleness against the metallic warship. They nced at each other and nodded in understanding. But before they could conjure more spells, the destroyer retaliated.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Its frontal 5-inch turret open fired at the leading escort vessel. Thick leads punctured through the air and instantly prated through the barrier and the shell of the ship.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    The wooden structure of the escort ship was shredded into bits by the 5-inch turret of the UNS Light Bringer. The War master boarding it could only watch in amazement.


    That''s right. Instead of fear, he felt amazed by the capabilities of his adversaries. He wanted to know more about the metallic warship, but could only watch as the fire spread throughout his vessel.


    *Consider our opponent as the highest level of threat! So, work together and never give up. After all, regardless of whether you fight or not, the results will be the same.*


    *Death!* The War master of the leading escort vessel uttered his final words to his fellow colleagues as the ammunition storage below him exploded.


    *BOOM!!!*


    A cloud of ck smoke formed as the leading escort ship violently disassembled itself into thousands of broken parts. The War masters were shocked, but with the words of the leading War master, they became determined.


    Meanwhile, in the middle of the naval battle between the escort vessels and UNS Light Bringer, the Alpha Task Force aboard their zodiacs were busy dodging the chaos.


    From the escort vessels to the ship that exploded and sunk into the depths of the sea, it was a roller coaster ride for the Marines.

 Chapter 22: | 022 | Ensuing Naval Engagement

    Amidst the naval battle ongoing in the rough waters of the high seas, the Alpha Task Force plunged through the vicious confrontation at high speed, dodging wreckage and the escort vessels behind it.


    *BOOM!!!*


    An explosion resounded throughout the area as the crimson mes were consumed by a cloud of ck smoke. The ruthless tide reverberated while the shock wave broke the rowdy water.


    Not wanting to be destroyed by a frontal skirmish against the metallic warship, the War masters were prompted to change their strategies and present their broadside.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    They followed with their cannons and began firing them at the metallic warship. Each salvo caused their ships to tremble, but they didn''t bother and kept firing.


    Meanwhile, the Marines held tightly to their zodiacs, unconsciously praying to not get hit by some random cannonball.


    "Hold on!" Campbell muttered while leading the charge into the enemy''s zone of influence. His Marines merely nodded and continued to set their sights on the Tango.


    Speaking of the Tango, the Pinguis Arca continued its escape while the metallic warship and the escort vessels duked it out. An understandable action in the heat of battle.


    Though¡­ The crew of the Pinguis Arca watched the naval battle as if they were looking at a once-in-a-lifetime entertainment show. Which might be true, afterall, who knows whether they''ll be able to leave and survive the contact.


    But they seemed to be ignorant of their situation, especially when the escort vessels were barely holding on against the firepower of the metallic warship.


    "Hahaha, Get them!"


    "Who wants to ce their bets!?"


    "I bet for our fellow escort vessels, kikikiki~"


    "I''ll go with the opposite, who knows¡­ Maybe I can hit a jackpot!"


    Their words resounded throughout the deck. However, their captain was nowhere to be seen with them. It appears he wasn''t in the mood to celebrate the arrival of their reinforcements.


    In the cabin of Pinguis Arca, Captain Crassus sat on his luxurious chair made from golden threads with aseriousexpression. Before him was the esteemed magus.


    "What are your opinions about the battle?" Crassus asked the maguswhowas observing the engagement with a frown.


    As a believer in magical supremacy, the naval battlewas tarnishingthe magus''s belief. He wanted the metallic warship to be easily dominated by their magical capabilities.


    But none of their attack spells seemed to be working.


    Upon hearing the question of Crassus, the magus raised an eyebrow and soon sighed. He shook his head and responded quite honestly to his employer.


    "They are fated to lose."


    Crassus felt hope dawning upon him after the magus responded, but he then realized the grave expression of the magus. His body trembled as he hesitantly asked for affirmation.


    "The metallic warship, right?Please tell me, Esteemed Magus."


    "Our reinforcements are losing the naval engagement. I''m sure they already realized it and understoodthat therewas no hope for them retreating."


    "It looks like the technology of our adversaries is quite advanced, even by the standards of our Europa. After this battle, the influence of Europa will probably take a hit."


    The magus remarked while staring at the horizon through the window. Tumultuous times would be ahead of them, and perhaps the only thing they could do was prepare for it.


    "That''s right¡­ I doubt that the kingdoms and empires of Europa will be willing to let this be. Theviceroymightalsoreact violently with his escort vessels sunk in the ocean."


    Crassus silently thought that his mere merchant ship might be the ignition of arge war. It made him feel excited and arrogant despite the fear encroaching on his heart.


    "Don''t be too excited, Captain Crassus. Are you sure you''ll be alive to see whatever youare thinkingof?" The magus easily guessed the foolish thoughts of the ve trader.


    "Tsk! I''ll live!" Crassus clicked his tongue and muttered to the magus. There was always the option of surrendering to their adversaries to save his life.


    While the captain of Pinguis Arca and his esteemed magus discussed their fates, Abraham was in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer dealing with the troublesome vessels that engaged them.


    "Have the helmsman present our broadside, weneed all of our armaments thrown at them!" Abraham ordered, which themunication operators ryed to the bridge.


    The UNS Light Bringer swiftly turned and presented its broadside to the escort vessels who had done the same. As such, the 20mm Phnx CIWS and 25mm Mk 38 machine gun system were free to open fire.


    "Direct the Phnx CIWS and machine gun systems to our opponents. No need to worry about bullets." Abraham gave another order to his naval personnel.


    They nodded in understanding and had the CIWS and machine gun systems open fire at their adversaries in the broadside.


    "CIWS engaging targets! Machine gun systems opening fire!" Oneof thenaval personnel reported and was followed by the thunderous roar of hundreds of leads escaping their barrels.


    *BRRRRRRRTTTTT!!!*


    *BRRRTTT!!!* *BRRRTTTT!!!*


    As thousands of bullets pierced through the air, the barriers of the escort vessels were met with the barrage of leading, bringing about the emergence of hundreds of sparks.


    Abraham calmly watched the results of the CIWS and machine gun systems with a scrutinizing gaze. He then realized that the bullets were ineffective as the barrierhandled them with ease.


    "I guess only the five-inch gun could prate them." In all honesty, the barrier and shell of the escort vessels were overpowered.


    Ifnot for the five-inch gun in the front, it would have been problematic for the Fleet Admiral.Though, it wouldn''t necessarily make him lose.


    After all, he still had dozens of missiles stored in their respective VLS.


    "Hmm¡­ I guess it wouldn''t take long before we defeatthem." Abraham mumbled while looking at somewhere and nowhere. He was gazing at an invisible digital screen presented by his partner, Systema.


    A new sub-mission had emerged when the escort vessels appeared out of nowhere. It wantedhimto destroy all fourvessels.


    ¡ñ| Naval Action(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Several escort vessels have reinforced the ve-trading ship in the high seas. It is within expectations for the United Navy to defeat foreign and hostile warships. The Fleet Admiral must sink their ships to the bottom of the oceanic depths to maintain maritime security in the region. Each escort vessel destroyed by the United Navy is worth 250 Naval Points.


    Naval Task Reward will be acquired after the engagement. |


    In his opinion, the new sub-mission wasa lotbetter than the first one. 250 Naval Points per ship wasn''t a bad deal for the middle-aged man.


    It was also a lot easier toplete than the hostage rescue mission as it wasn''t particrlyplicatedto do so.


    Theonlything they needed to do waspoint their 5-inch gun at a particr ship and bombard it into pieces to obtain 250 Naval Points.


    "After this battle, I''ll probably have to purchase my first random naval spin," Abraham mentioned since the hostages they''ll have to rescue probably numbered over a hundred.


    The UNS Light Bringer would probably have a hard timetaking care ofa hundred rescued hostages, so another warship or ship was needed for transportation.


    ''I sure hope that it will be a useful one.'' The Fleet Admiral wryly smiled and continued watching the ongoing battle through the monitor.


    On the contrary, Captain Lux was on the bridge, busy ordering his naval personnel to handle their adversaries. Their broadside maneuver was fairly ineffective as their CIWS and machine gun systems had no effect on their enemies'' barriers.


    But it didn''t hinder much of their capabilities and perhaps made itgreater.


    A destroyer fighting a broadside battle against an enemy vessel would mark its captain as an utter failure. But there was nothing they could do about it.


    An enemy vessel that teleports near your location was a troublesome one. They were lucky that what appeared weren''t battleships. Otherwise, even with the armor of the destroyer.


    The UNS Light Bringer would be the one exploding into various pieces.


    "Continue firing our gun, let them know the firepower of the United Navy!" While he would have preferred to end things by throwing freedom warheads at these bastards.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Captain Lux understood that it was far from needed.


    Even though the barriers of the enemy vessels were surprising, they weren''t enough of a threat to use missiles on. Their missiles were also valuable resources as the United Navy hadn''t started producing them yet.


    *BOOM!!!*


    With the barrage of shells from the 5-inch gun, another escort vessel exploded and was slowly sinking into the depths of the ocean.


    The current situation for their adversaries was probably dire. Their enemies had lost two ships, with another being fairly damaged and inoperative.


    Only one ship was operational, and the War master manning it understood their undered fate. It was clear that they would lose the naval engagement.


    The metallic warship was too strong for themandtheir barriers weren''t effective against the warship''s gun. They''ll probably meet their deaths like the others before them.


    "Sir, sailors from other escort ships are asking to be rescued from the sea." A sailor in thest remaining escort vessel reported to his War master.


    The War master looked at him with an indifferent gaze and sighed.


    "It doesn''t matter whether or not we rescue them. We''ll all die anyway¡­ I doubt that the metallic warshipis intendingto give us mercy, so the only thing we can do is decide how we die."


    It was the unfortunate truth for them. And they had to ept it.


    "Fire!"


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    In the background, several sailors kept firing their cannons with despairing expressions. It was as if death was creeping into them, and no matter what they did, it kept moving.


    "I want to utilize the siren''s call." The War master made a dangerous decision,yet itwas brought out by his eptance of their inevitable deaths.


    The sailor was confusedas towhat the War master meant about the siren''s call. He only noticed his War master ncing at the devastated escort ship''s War master.


    The two seemed to be in agreement about something. However, it felt a bit horrifying astheirmaddened faces etched a crazed expression. It looks like they want their enemy to sink with them.

 Chapter 23: | 023 | Boarding Action

    As the Pinguis Arca escaped from the grueling naval engagement and sailed into the wider seas, behind it were several jet-ck zodiacs intending to board the merchant vessel. On these zodiacs were the Alpha Task Force of the United Navy executing Operation Bestowing Freedom.


    When the zodiacs were only a hundred meters away from their Tango, Campbell sighed in relief. Dodging through a naval battlefield never felt good, especially when it wasn''t their job to do so.


    They weren''t special forces who specialized in infiltration, so they could only brute force their way into the merchant ship.


    It was fortunate that none of the escort vessels noticed them. Though, it was understandable. The escort vessels were barely keeping up with the UNS Light Bringer.


    So, their attention would be entirely concentrated on the destroyer.


    *Prepare for boarding.* The 2nd Lieutenant reminded his men through themunication radio of the Alpha Task Force.


    The group of zodiacs got closer to their Tango andter positioned themselves a couple of feet away from the merchant ship''s wooden hull.


    *Catfish, in position.*


    *Sardine, in position.*


    *Tuna, in position.*


    *Clownfish, in position.*


    With all the fire teams up and ready for the boarding action, Campbell ordered themencing of Operation Bestowing Freedom.


    *This is Dolphin, operation is a go, bestow freedom.*


    Following the deration of the 2nd Lieutenant, the Marines swiftly climbed through the wooden hull of the merchant vessel.


    It was hard to climb a merchant vessel, but it wasn''t something that a grappling hook couldn''t solve.


    *Pang!* *Pang!* *Pang!* *Pang!*


    *Wiishh!* *Woooshh!* *Wiiessh!*


    In mere seconds, the Marines were on the edges of the merchant ship''s railings and saw the drunk celebrating sailors. They didn''t seem to bother much about the naval engagement behind them.


    Perhaps, it was why they didn''t notice the several zodiacs piercing through the rough waves of the high seas.


    Campbell gave some signals for his Marines to go on the attack. But first, they needed to prepare for their entrance. And how could they efficiently board the deck?


    Well, there was one thing perfect for the job.


    The Marines took out their stun grenades and quickly armed them. After a quarter of a second, they threw the stun grenades with ease into the deck.


    Multiple stun grenades rolled over the wooden deck of the merchant ship. One of the drunk sailors noticed itnding on his feet and nced at it for a second in confusion.


    He wondered how such a strange-looking object appeared before his feet. Was this a secret treasure that wanted him to be its owner? The sailor couldn''t help but get foolish thoughts of power and wealth.


    But before he could continue with his uninteresting thoughts, the object near his feet exploded into white.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    The stun grenades scattered throughout the Pinguis Arca''s deck exploded one after another. Every drunk sailor found themselves blinded and deafened by the unexpected explosions.


    *URrrgghh!*


    "The hell!"


    "What was that?!"


    "Dammit! My eyes!"


    "I-I can''t hear anything!"


    All of the drunk sailors were disoriented as they barely could keep their bnce on the wooden deck. Some even fell to the floor while groaning for their eyes and ears.


    It was a horrific situation to be in, and unfortunately for them, it all had just begun.


    With the opportunity presenting itself, the Marines immediately boarded the deck and saw the stunned sailors barely holding onto themselves.


    *All fire teams, engage the targets!*


    Campbell muttered through the radio and pointed his rifle to one of the sailors. Without any hesitation or dy, he pulled the trigger and fired the rifle.


    *Bang!*


    Mirroring the lead of their toon leader, the Marines swiftly dispatched the muddled sailors of Pinguis Arca, bringing about the thunderous roars of gunfire and the terrified screams of the sailors.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    "Wha-"


    "I-It hurts!"


    "Sh-!"


    "We are under attack!"


    Some of the sailors who got through their momentary deafening silence and blinding sight immediately warned the others of the unexpected assault.


    There were also multiple sailors who tried to ring the rm bells, but they were quickly brought down by the Marines.


    They fell to the ground with holes in their heads. Blood sttered across the wooden deck as the cries of the sailors resounded throughout the high seas.


    "I don''t want to di-!"


    *Bang!* *Bang!*


    "Help! He-!"


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    "Where is the captain! Where is he-!"


    "Kek!"


    *Bang!*


    One after another, the sailors of Pinguis Arca, who celebrated their escape from the metallic warship, met their inevitable deaths.


    After dealing with the threats in the main deck, it was time to handle the more significant threats. The Marines swiftly prepared themselves and pointed their rifles at the captain''s cabin door.


    2nd Lieutenant Campbell quietly stepped beside the door and issued a couple of signals to his fellow Marines. They needed to break through the door and capture the Tango.


    But before doing so, they must handle the problematic variable that could utilize magic.


    ording to recent reports from the UNS Light Bringer, the magic individuals could possibly conjure barriers of some sort while casting spells.


    Thus, it was mandatory to hit them with all they had. Otherwise, the Marines would be killed by whatever magic the individual could do.


    Campbell held another stun grenade in his gloves and ordered a Marine to kick the cabin''s door down.


    The Marine nodded in eptance and proceeded to calmly step beside the front door. He took a deep breath and gazed coldly at the door before kicking it with all his might.


    *Bam!*


    The captain''s cabin door was kicked wide open and Campbell swiftly threw a stun grenade inside the captain''s cabin.


    It rolled over the wooden floor before exploding inside the cabin.


    *BANG!*


    Through the signal, which was the stun grenade''s explosion, the Marines entered the captain''s cabin and saw the captain hiding behind a luxurious wooden desk.


    The captain of the ve-trading ship seemed horrified by their arrival, which was understandable. After all, the Marines took out the crew of the merchant ship without any mercy.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    Captain Crassus of Pinguis Arca saw the dreaded boarders that massacred the entirety of his crew in less than a minute. He was terrified and shaking to his core since he felt that death was about to take him with his crew to hell.


    The boarders that entered the merchant ship were soldiers wearing strange green uniforms and evergreen-colored helmets. Other than that, they were humans.


    It was somewhatplicated to feel when they saw that the metallic warship wasn''t operated by monsters like they previously thought.


    After all, humans shouldn''t have the capabilities to construct such a giant metallic warship. So, they thought it was another race, seeking to destroy them.


    To think, it was humans all along. Such was probably the thought of the horrified captain.


    These unique-looking soldiers appeared to be holding guns, though they looked far more different than the ones they had. A bit fatter and shorter, but seemed far more advanced.


    "You must be the-" While hiding behind his wooden desk, Crassus heard the remark of the esteemed magus. Though, the esteemed one couldn''t continue it, as the soldiersid fire at him with no hesitation.


    *BRRrrrrrtttt!*


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    *BBRRRrrrrrtttt!*


    The rifles held by the boarding soldiers of the metallic warship fire at an unparalleled speed. When Crassus saw it, he felt even more dumbfounded and anxious.


    The power held by these newly-emerged adversaries wasn''t something to be underestimated. But whether he underestimated it or not didn''t matter if he died.


    With this in mind, Crassus threw such useless thoughts away.


    "My, my¡­ How unsightly." The magus muttered while staring at hundreds of leads being poured over his barrier. He felt the mana of his spell seeping away, weakening by the second.


    *BRrrrtttt!*


    The soldiers didn''t stop hitting the magus with their full auto while Crassus''s terror slowly turned into amazement. It was from the strong barrier of the magus and the amazing weapon of the soldiers.


    An entire magazine was unloaded to the magus, and afterward, the second rank of soldiers would step forward and fire at the barrier with efficiency.


    The magus furrowed his eyebrows and knew the delicate circumstances of his life. He could only shake his head and decide that it wasn''t worth throwing his life away for something like this.


    It was too precious.


    "I am impressed by your technolog-" The magus wanted to praise his adversaries before leaving, but his enemies brought something unexpected.


    It was a long giant gun with a scope.


    *Bang!!!*


    The lengthy metallic rifle fired as fiery mes escaped the confines of its barrel. A 50-caliber bullet pierced through the air and struck the barrier.


    At first, the radiant light of the barrier spell gleamed in and out. But afterward, cracks began to form throughout its spell circle.


    The magus gritted his teeth and immediately activated his short-range spatial repositioning spell. However, during its activation, his barrier spell broke into pieces.


    *Argh!*


    A molten lead with incredible momentum pierced his leg as he red at the soldiers before teleporting away from Pinguis Arca. It was anti-climatic, especially when there were no spell battles.


    Though, it''s not like everyone was willing to fight a battle to the death.


    With their victory against the magus secured, the leader of the soldiers coldly gazed at the captain of the ve-trading ship. He shook his head in disappointment and ordered his men to clean up the lower decks.


    "Take out the remaining targets."


    Some soldiers beside him responded with a nod and left the interiors of the cabin. Only the leader and a few soldiers were left behind, though the leader looked especially murderous.


    Crassus felt fear as he wondered what fate awaited for him in the hands of the soldier.


    On the other hand, Campbell felt disgusted by the fat pig in front of him. He would have felt better if he could strangle the bastard to death. But the pig had intel for important stuff, so strangling will be forter.


    "Guard him. If he tries to escape, you can disable the pig."


    The Marine who guarded the door changed his position and pointed his rifle at the cowering captain of the ve-trading ship.


    Meanwhile, Campbell reported the results of the operation to Overwatch.


    *This is Alpha 1-6 to Overwatch, Tango secured.*

 Chapter 24: | 024 | Naval Theatre Finale

    Combat Information Center(CIC), UNS Light Bringer.


    "Sir, Operation Bestowing Freedom was a sess. The Alpha Task Force has gained control over the entirety of the merchant ve-trading vessel." In themunication sector of the CIC, am operator reported to the highmand.


    "They wrapped up the mission faster than I thought. I was expecting them to take their time handling the mage." Abraham slightly grinned as this wasa piece ofgood news for him and the United Navy.


    "ording to their reports, Sir. The mage actually escaped after being injured by a Barrett M82. It seems that our rifles are ineffective against individual barriers of mages."


    An intelligence officermented after reading the written report of Operation Bestowing Freedom.


    The Alpha Task Force did well with their limited support, so the intelligence officer had noints about the magus escaping the merchant vessel.


    Although information about them might spread across the sea, no vital intelligence had been revealed to the mage. It was also the best advertisement of their naval force, which they appreciated.


    "These mages really are dangerous, huh¡­It looks like weneed to develop an efficient tactic against them afterpleting the maritime security mission." Abraham seriously remarked.


    His grin had long disappeared and was reced by a scrutinizing frown. In his opinion, mages were dangerous enemies to have. Especially when they had no ideaabout the extentthemages'' spells go.


    The United Navy also had no direct counter against magic.


    While they hadgreatand seemingly unrivaled firepower, magic still had itsuntappedlimitless potential. It would beutterly disappointingif they couldn''t utilize such potential.


    "Our battles with the escort vessels and direct data from the Alpha Task Force might help us formte a strategy against these so-called mages, Sir. But it will take time."


    "We also need more information about them to iron out our foundation." The intelligence officer said with determination that made Abraham feel their unquestionable loyalty.


    "I see¡­ Thank you for your hard work, I''llbe patiently waiting foryour results." The Fleet Admiral smiled at the fleet officer.


    A subordinate that''s working hard for you should always be supported. Otherwise, one would feel bad sincetheymight appear like exploiters in the eyes of others.


    "Thank you, Fleet Admiral." The intelligence officer lightly bowed and continued. "Shall we continue with our topic regarding the escort vessels?"


    After hearing the intelligence officer, Abraham nced at the monitor and saw the devastationbrought bythe UNS Light Bringer''s superior firepower.


    The four escort vessels that were supposed to save the merchant ship sunk into the abyssal depths of the high seas. Only scraps of wood and other light materials could be seen floating throughout the area.


    Though¡­Alongside the scraps of thebygoneescort vessels,there were the surviving sailorswho were barely keeping themselves alive from the cold and rough waters.


    Abraham didn''t feel like saving them,butheunderstood that he must set an example.


    There was no need to stoop lower than theycurrentlywere, so it was better to actwith graceinstead of hostility.As such, he concluded his decision to the surviving sailors.


    "Take the surviving sailors out of the cold waters, but be sure to cuff their arms and guard them properly. We might have some use for themter." Abraham ordered, which the intelligence officer epted with a nod.


    Prisoners of war had a lot of uses, and the intelligence officer understood itgreatly.


    From ransom, free workers, andfinally,intelligence expansion, there were several the intelligence officer immediately thought of.


    "It will be done, Fleet Admiral." The intelligence officer nced at them operatorwhomerely nodded. The officer smiled and left to manage others with their current orders.


    While the intelligence officer left, the captain of UNS Light Bringer entered the Combat Information Center. The white-beardedold manseemed to be merry after their victory.


    "Our captain is in a good mood," Abraham remarked, to which the captain responded with a straight salute.


    "It was because of the Fleet Admiral''s guidance." Captain Lux didn''t hesitate to give Abraham the honor of their victory.


    If Abraham wasa normalfleet admiral, he would have made Captain Lux get closer to him and continue to curry favor while slowly advancing the captain''s rank.


    How easy would it be?


    Abraham rapidly shook his head and threw the thoughts of corruption away.He mustn''t get corrupted by such things, especially when he wasthe highest ofmand of a naval organization.


    "It was all because of our hard work, Captain Lux. From the bottom to the top, our naval personnel worked hard for this victory."Contrary toCaptain Lux, the Fleet Admiral was much more skilled in such pleasantries.


    "The Fleet Admiral is correct." Captain Lux lightly chuckled and agreed with the Fleet Admiral''s words.


    "Sowhathappened to the mages in the escort vessels?" Abrahamdecided to changethe subject and observed the circumstances outside through a monitor screen.


    With the loss of the escort vessels, one would expect to find a mage in the cold waters of the high seas. But sadly, there appeared to be no mages trapped in the rough tide.


    "Unfortunately, the mages seemed adamant and ended their lives before their ship sank into the ocean." Captain Lux uttered with aplicated expression.


    A live mage would have been good for the United Navy. Through a live one, they could understand more aboutthe concept ofmagic and perhaps develop counters against it.


    But since they couldn''t capture a mage, they would have to find other sources to understand the concept of magic in this world.


    "That is disappointing, Captain Lux. I was curious about how magic worked and whether or not we could utilize it for ourselves.Though,I guess the United Navy must grow before we ponder such things."


    Abraham shook his head in disappointment and stopped watching the monitor screen.


    At the moment, the UNS Light Bringer was busy rescuing the prisoners of war, so he didn''t need to do much other than manage the entire rescue operation of the prisoners.


    "It is disappointing, Fleet Admiral. However¡­ Idowonder if they had personal property left behind in their respective ships." Captain Lux muttered while Abraham''s eyebrow rose.


    A realization struck the middle-aged man. There should be objects left behind by the mages, but since the escort vessels were sunk with their mages presumed dead.


    There was only one direction he could be pointed at.


    It was the mage of the merchant vessel.


    "Thank you for the idea you have given me, Captain Lux." Abraham smiled and walked towards them operators. Standing beside them, he calmly ordered the naval personnel.


    "Open amunication line with Alpha 1-6 of the Alpha Task Force."


    His orders resoundedandthem operators responded with a nod. The operators swiftly opened amunication line while Abraham patiently waited.


    Soon, the voice of the 2nd Lieutenant escaped from the machine''s confines.


    *This is Alpha 1-6, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell.*


    "2nd Lieutenant, this is Overwatch Actual." Abraham responded to the introduction of the toon leader.


    "Have you secured the entirety of the merchant vessel? Are there no hostiles left on the ship?" The Fleet Admiral asked an obvious question.


    *Overwatch Actual, hostiles in the ship have been cleared. Rescued hostages are currently being given medical assistanceandwe have captured the Tango.*


    Abraham already knew most of the information revealed by the radio. He only wanted the confirmation of his subordinate.


    "Good job, 2nd Lieutenant. I will be boarding the merchant vessel soon to conduct my own investigations. I hope you don''t mind."


    While he could have ordered his men to do the investigation, Abraham feltlikehe needed to be in the field to truly understand the reality and discover what was hidden behind the veil of action.


    *Alpha Task Force is honored, Overwatch Actual. Shall we clean the bloodied decks before your arrival?*


    From the words of 2nd Lieutenant Campbell, Abraham already imagined the nasty sight he was about to see with his very own eyes.


    "No need to clean it, 2nd Lieutenant. I want them preserved until I finish conducting my investigation." Abraham forced himself to utter such words.


    He wasn''t a psychopath who wanted to see the blood of his enemies. But he feltthat itwould be fair to adopt from its horrific sight and smell.


    After all, he was the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. He must understand the price he would pay if he decided to fight a battle against another adversary.


    *Affirmative, Overwatch Actual.* The 2nd Lieutenant felt a deep respect for his Fleet Admiral.He was a brave man of actionwho would bewilling to step into a terrifying scenealongwith his subordinates.


    This kind of quality was respectable in the eyes of Campbell.


    "Good, I''ll be arriving there in about 10 minutes." Abraham announced before closing themunication line between the UNS Light Bringer and Alpha Task Force.


    Afterward, he nced at Captain Lux and stated.


    "I''ll be taking my leave, Captain Lux. Manage the rescue operation of war prisoners in my stead." Abraham ordered the captain of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. I will be arranging a zodiac for your transportation." Captain Lux nodded and saluted to the highestmand.


    Abraham appreciated the assistance of Captain Lux and stepped out of the Combat Information Center.Ashe walked through the narrow metallic hallway, a familiar mechanical ring echoed in his mind.


    *Ding!*


    He stopped moving for a second and raised an eyebrow.


    ¡ñ| Naval Action(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Naval Action Completion Requirements(Sinking of Hostile Vessels) |


    ?| Four Hostile Escort Vessels Sunk(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    ¡ñ| Hostage Rescue(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Hostage Rescue Completion Requirements(ve Hostages Rescued) |


    ?| 127 Hostages Rescued(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    It seemedthat hehadpleted the recently given sub-missions of the Naval Gacha System. With this realization, the middle-aged man was a bit excited.


    After all, it was his first reward.


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd! You havepleted two Sub-Missions dered by the Naval Gacha System Apparatus, Systema! |


    | Rewards will be given promptly in 3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | You have obtained 1,000 Naval Points(Naval Action Rewards) and 1,270 Naval Points(Hostage Rescue Rewards) |


    | Total Current umted Naval Points: 2,270 Naval Points! |

 Chapter 25: | 025 | Summoning New Warships

    In the jet-ck zodiac piercing through the rough waters of the high seas, Abraham calmly observed the blue horizon with tranquility. Other than the scraps of wood scattered throughout the cold water, it was a beautiful sight for the middle-aged man.


    Abraham recently departed from the UNS Light Bringer and headed out to the captured merchant vessel known as Pinguis Arca. The reason for his visit was an investigation.


    But it wasmostlybecause of his desire to know the consequences or results of his decision.


    As a middle-aged man of the 21st century, he wasn''t a power-hungry bastard who would kill others simply because they defied him. He wasrational,instead of emotional.


    Abraham also didn''t wish to be out of touch with reality and wanted to see what he had done personally. It might not be good for him now, but it will bring results in the future.


    ''Though¡­ I''m starting to doubt whether I''m ready or not.'' He quietly thought to himself and nced at the Marines beside him. Despite the victory, they were still cautious of their surroundings.


    This made the Fleet Admiral give them a sense of profound respect.


    Anyhow, there was a reason why Abraham doubted his readiness to tackle the matter. It wasmostlybecause this was the first time he would be seeing a corpse with his very eyes.


    Watching a corpse through the lenses of the televisionpared to seeing one, in reality, was thrgestdifference he had to tackle.


    He would feel the dreaded atmosphere, smell their blood, see the expressions they had before their untimely demise, ande to terms that he had ended their lives.


    Even though Abraham could try to justify himself as doing it for the greater good. Monsters always begin with this phrase. All for the greater good.


    If he promotes such a saying to his enemies,thenit wouldn''t take long before he would have such words pointed at hisownsubordinates or people.


    ''Am I wrong with my thoughts, Systema?'' Abraham asked his partner for her opinion regarding the matter of morality.


    In a second, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | In terms of logic and result-based decisions, it might soundfoolish. However, logic and result-based decisions are imprudentthemselvesas they don''t include the variables of their actions in their equation. |


    | One''s action can affect the oue, and results might be far from what one would expect. So, I have no opinion regarding the matter as what''s important is that it works for the Fleet Admiral. |


    | Nheless, Systema appreciates the thoughts of the Fleet Admiral. |


    | The price of life must always be heavy.Otherwise, the moment it bes lighter would bethe time someone has bea true monster.|


    What Systema meant was simple. Logical and result-based decisions wouldn''t always be the best ones. The world of humanity doesn''t move in the wheel of logic.


    Instead, they roll over through interactions, emotions, and rtionships. Logic was merely an afterthought, and one must understand this simple fact.


    Variables will always be there, and what you expect through your result-based decision might not appear.


    But¡­ One can manipte the variables instead of affecting the entirety. However, this subject was something for the future to discuss.


    "Sometimes, I can''t help but wonder that you might be an actual old-sagely man, Systema." Abraham lightly chuckled as his thoughts might have gone too deep.


    He mustn''t overthink things and continue to move at his own pace. After all, he might stumble if he bes too impatient.


    "Sir, we are about 5 minutesawayfrom the merchant vessel." The Marine steering the jet-ck zodiac reported to the Fleet Admiral.


    Abraham nodded in understanding and asked something from the Marine.


    "Can you give me a radio?" There was something he wanted to do, but since he had decided to investigate the merchant ship. He couldn''t find time to do so.


    Since he had time before reaching the ve-trading ship, this might be the perfect time for Abraham to enact what he wanted to do.


    "Here, Sir." The Marineplied and gave the Fleet Admiral a radio. He was curious as to why the highest ofmand wanted it, but it wasn''t in his rank to question his superiors.


    Abraham held the radio with his ck-gloved hands and opened a transmission with the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer.


    *This isOverwatch,is something needed?* A voice came out of the radio, which seemed to be them operator of the CIC.


    "Overwatch, I am Fleet Admiral Shepherd.I''d liketo contact the captain of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux. Can you call him?" Abraham asked tomunicate with Captain Lux.


    *Captain Lux is present in the Combat Information Center, Fleet Admiral. I will call him for you.* Them operator epted the Fleet Admiral''s request.


    "Thank you," Abraham respondedand waitedfor Captain Lux to call him.


    He could have immediately done it without wasting time. But after getting a warning from Lieutenant Commander Morgen, he decided to be cautious and patient.


    After some time, themunication line was openedandthe captain''s voice escaped the radio.


    *Sir, how may I help you?* Captain Lux coolly asked since the Fleet Admiral might want him to do something.


    "I''m giving you a warning, Captain Lux. I''ll be summoning more warships to our fleet, so I want our naval personnel to be ready and not get frightened by their emergence."


    Abraham wanted to summon warships since the total bnce of his Naval Points numbered over 2,000. It was enough to summon two warships in the random naval spin.


    While he could have waited until they returned to the port, Abraham needed more ships to manage the aftermath of the recent naval engagement.


    The UNS Light Bringer wouldbe havinga hard time handling the rescued hostages and prisoners of war, so the assistance of another ship was required.


    *Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I''llbe givingorders for the naval personnel to abstain from acting without direct orders.* Captain Lux felt a bit delighted to hear about the reinforcements.


    The current operations were far from goodinhis opinion. There were too many hostages and prisoners of war for a single warship to handle.


    So, more ships of the United Navy werea piece ofgood news for the captain.


    "Good, I don''t want an ident to happen because of misunderstandings." Abraham closed the radio after uttering such words and turned his gaze towards the high seas.


    He took a deep breath and thought that it was about time.


    ''I hope my luck is as good as before.'' Abraham thought and silently prayed to the RNG god forsomeblessings in his next endeavors.


    After taking his time, the middle-aged man returned to reality with determination. He took a deep breath and called upon his precious partner.


    "Systema, I''d like to purchase two Naval Random Spin." While it might seemit wasbetter to save some of his Naval Points, Abraham felt that this wasn''t somesort ofgame but actual reality.


    He can''t savehis Naval Points and use themwhen he finds himself in a troublesome circumstance.After all, it''s not like the warships could magically take care of his issues.


    The naval personnel in their respective warships also needed to be debriefed to understand the current situation of the United Navy. Especially when the naval personnel aren''t automatically imprinted with current vital information.


    As Abraham entertained his thoughts, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Random Naval Spin Selected! |


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    A gigantic floating wheel materialized before his sight. Inside it were hundreds of sses of warships and ships from different nations across the globe.


    With the spin triggered, the arrow at the center of the massive wheel began revolving. It started slowly at first, but with time, it became fasterthan ever before.


    In seconds, Abraham could only watch a blurry arrow spinning at an unparalleled speed.


    As he watched it with a scrutinizing gaze, Abraham felt nervous inside. His heart rapidly beat while he felt chills echoing in his spine. And his muscles also tensed.


    What Abraham wanted from the Random Naval Spin was simple.Aship that wasrge and hadgreatfirepower was enough for the middle-aged man.


    But whether he could get the ship he wanted from the gacha was another problem. This was why he disliked gacha games despite being addicted to them.


    It didn''t take long before Systema announced the end of the thrilling experience.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | Congrattions! You have received (Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigate)! |


    Abraham raised an eyebrow and wondered what the frigate was. He couldn''t remember a trace of it in his memories regarding naval ships, but it wasn''t like he was a greatnavalnerd in his former life.


    He was only aware of ships or warships that kept popping up in the news or on the Inte.


    ''From its name, it looks like this is a Russian frigate. Which I guess makes it better. Russians are known to put a lot of firepower in their ships, though their defensive capabilities are questionable.''


    Realizing that it was a modern Russian warship, Abraham''s confusion became delight.


    Firepower was what he neededsince stealth and anti-missile protection technology were impractical in the current state of affairs where their adversaries only had wooden ships to work on.


    Obviously, this would change in the future. But Abraham wanted a ship that could throw a lot of punches. It appears he got one.


    Though¡­ Before Abraham could continue thinking about the Admiral Gorshkov ss Frigate, the massive wheel didn''t disappear and began spinning once again.


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    Abraham ordered two Random Naval Spin, so with the first one done, the second probably followed.


    The middle-aged man gazed at the spinning arrow with a hopeful gaze. A cargo ship would be good enough for him.


    With the firepower problem partially solved, he needed more space for the rescued hostages and the prisoners of war.


    That''s the reason he hoped for a big ship. It doesn''t even need guns, as long as it could transport hundreds of people with ease, it was enough.


    At any rate, like before, it took some time until Systema announced the termination of the arrow''s revolution.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | Congrattions! You have received (San Antonio-ss Amphibious Transport Dock)! |

 Chapter 26: | 026 | UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas

    In a jet-ck zodiac piercing through the rough waters of the high seas, Abrahamhad a grin on his facewhile gazing at somewhere and nowhere.He wasspecificallystaring at the digital screen of his newly-gained warship, which was incredibly impressiveinhis opinion.


    ''I never thought I''d receive an LPD instead of a simple cargo ship.It seems that myluck in this foreign worldisfar from saddening, unlike my previous life.''


    Abraham was genuinely surprised regarding the effectiveness of his luck.It made him wonder if this was the reward of being unluckyduring the entirety of his formerlife.


    ''It doesn''t matter if this was a reward for my suffering. What matters is that it gives me valuable ships. Though, I knowthat Ishouldn''t rely on it in the future.''


    ''Perhaps,maybeI''ll get a bad ship on my next gacha endeavor.''


    He shook his head and decided not to get arrogant of his luck. He knew better than to be enamored by it anpletely relyon such an unreliable concept.


    So, he had to keep his expectations at bay. And besides, his luck wasn''t tooamazingin itself.If itreallywasextremely good,thenhe could have gotten an aircraft carrier by now.


    In simpler terms, not getting hit by bad luck wasalreadyenough for the middle-aged man. He didn''t need unparalleled fortune, whathe needed was stability.


    Anyhow, the subject had gone farther from what was previously thought. Abraham decided to tackle the two warshipsfirst,before going on in aramble of philosophy.


    "Hmm¡­ The information of the two should appear now." He muttered and noticed the materialization of two digital screens in front of him.


    The firstonewas the digital screen where the information about the Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigate was imprinted.


    ¡ñ| UNS Zarya |


    ?| The UNS Zarya is an Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigate of the Project 22350 ssification.It is a multi-rolefrigateoraguided-missile frigate stocked with the best weapons and sensors of the Russian Federation.|


    ?| As the frigate was designed to perform multiple roles, it can carry out long-range attacks against surface targets and ships, conduct anti-submarine warfare, carry out escort missions, and be deployed in a variety of situations that a general frigate ss would not be able to fulfill. |


    ?| The Zarya has a humble discement of 5,400 tons with a length of 130 meters and a beam of 16 meters. It has a maximum speed of 29.5 knots and aplement of 210 officers and enlisted personnel. The multi-role frigate also carries a single Ka-27 series helicopter capable of transport and anti-submarine warfare. |


    ?| The main armaments of the multi-role frigate are its UKSK and REDUT Vertical-Launching Systems(VLS),and a single 130mm Amethyst/Arsenal naval gun. It has supporting armaments such as two Psh CIWS 30mm,and two 14.5mm MTPU machine guns. It also has two Quadruple 330mm torpedounchers. |


    ?| Finally, it has a helipad and hangar for a medium helicopter. |


    Abraham carefully read the information about the newly acquired frigate with a scrutinizing gaze. UNS Zarya was its name, and it was a powerful frigate.


    It might be amongst the best frigates in his former modern world. But since he wasn''t totally knowledgeable of the matter. He promptly stopped himself from pursuing assumptions.


    "For a frigate, this ship is massive. This might be the main frigate of the United Navy for some time." Abraham muttered to himself and wondered about the price of this frigate.


    If it was cheaper than the Arleigh Burke-ss Destroyer, then it would be the first one mass-produced by the United Navy.


    ''As expected of Russians, they love putting a lot of firepower on their ships.'' Abraham nodded with appreciation in his eyes.Another powerful warship other than the UNS Light Bringer was alwaysaweeone.


    At any rate, since he had concluded his reading session with the first digital screen. It was time to read the second one.


    Abraham nced at the second digital screen with information about the San Antonio-ss Amphibious Transport Dock, or LPDfor short.


    ''The information on this ship isa lotlonger than UNS Zarya.'' Observing the digital screen, he raised an eyebrow when he realized its lengthy information.


    He rubbed his eyebrows at the headaches about what was toe, but information about his warships was what he needed.


    So, even if he hated reading long-written files, he had no choice as it was his jobto do so. But, at the very least¡­ He wouldn''t have to read them all over again in the future.


    With this in mind, Abraham took a deep breath and began reading the vast information about the amphibious transport dock.


    He hoped that the information inside was worth it.


    ¡ñ| UNS Guardian of the High Seas |


    ?| The UNS Guardian of the High Seas is a San Antonio-ss Amphibious Transport Dock of the LPD ssification. It is an amphibious transport dock designed to provide the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based tforms. |


    ?| The ship supports amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as a secondary aviation tform for amphibious-ready groups. |


    ?| As such, the LPD iworkedsurvivable, and built to operate with 21st-century transformational tforms known as the MV-22 Osprey, Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle(EFV), Air-Cushioned Landing Craft(LCACs), and future means by which Marines are delivered ashore. |


    ?| The Guardian of the High Seas has a sizable discement of 25,300 longtonsfollowed by a length of 208 meters and a beam of 32 meters. The LPD has a maximum speed of 22 knots and a vastplement of 28 officers and 333 enlisted personnel. It can also support an embarkednding force of 699 personnel. |


    ?| The LPD specifically carries four MV-22 Ospreys with one in the hangar deck and two Air-Cushioned Landing Crafts(LCACs). Along with fourteen Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles/Amphibious Assault Vehicles. |


    ?| The main armaments of the amphibious transport dock are its two Bushmaster II close-in-guns, two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missileunchers, and a Mark 41 Vertical Launching System(VLS). It also has support armamentssuch asseveral twin M2 Browning machine gun turrets. |


    ?| Lastly, It has a wide flight deck and arge hangar deck for repairs and maintenance. |


    The information imprinted on the digital screen was beyond worth it.The UNS Guardian of the High Seas wasa lotbetter than he hadpreviouslythought.


    From the four Ospreys, two LCACs, and fourteen EFVs, followed by the twopanies worth of Marines.He practically had a deployable army,which would makehandling indseasierthan everbefore.


    "Things are bound to get intriguing," Abraham mumbled with a smile as two golden lights radiantly shone amidst the rough waters of the high seas.


    The gleaming golden lights pierced through the heavens and the seas, bringing about luminescence rivaling the luster of the zing sun.


    Abraham squinted his eyes and felt the waves bing harsher.Fortunately, though, the zodiac was only a hundred meters away from the captured merchant vessel.


    ''With this, I won''t have to worry about the rescued hostages and prisoners of war anymore.'' He quietly thought and closed his eyelids with a relieved smile.


    The radiant golden lights soon dimmed with time and faded into the backgroundas thoughthey hadn''te to light. What reced it was a moderately sized warship and arge warship.


    Each had their respective names boldly written on their hulls, which were theUNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    The LPD was a magnificent sight to see. It was bigger than any ship he had seen before, but it was not like he saw a lot ofshipspersonally.


    Anyhow, Abraham enjoyed thrgesilhouette of the LPD and was looking forward to boarding the warshipteron.


    Meanwhile, in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux watched the two warships with interest. However, he soonmanded them operators of their next actions.


    "Open amunication line with the two warships." The old white-bearded man continued observing the newly-emerged warships while them operators did as they were ordered.


    "Openingmunication with UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas." One of them operators announcedandstatic escaped themunication instrument.


    Captain Lux took a deep breath before speaking through themunication line.


    "This is Captain Lux of the UNS Light Bringer, requesting verification from UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas." It was protocol to request for verification when meeting for the first time.


    After some time, a husky-like voice resounded from themunication instrument.


    *GreetingsComradeLux, thisis Captain Vokshod of the UNS Zarya.* The first one that responded was the Russian captain of the multi-role frigate, UNS Zarya.


    *Verification Acknowledged, I am Captain Howard of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas.* The second one was the captain of the amphibious transport dock, UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    "The two of you must havea lot ofquestions about your special circumstances. I willbe debriefingyou about it, so I hope you maintain your calm." Captain Lux calmly uttered.


    *Zarya will be hearing from ourrade.* Vokshod seemed to be an easy guy to get along with.


    *Guardian is also open to the debriefing, but I''d like to meet the Fleet Admiral afterward.* On the other hand, Howard sounded stern and cold.


    Captain Lux didn''t care about how they sounded as his job was to only educate them about the United Navy''s circumstancesin this world.What they did after was the responsibilities of the Fleet Admiral.


    "Alright, I''ll be giving you data about our discoveries during this recent week. We already went through our analysis, but you canundertake your own examinationif you wish to confirm the intel."


    Captain Lux stated and began debriefing the captain of the two warships.


    In the meantime, Abraham had arrived beside the wooden hull of the merchant vessel. He climbed through thedder leading to the upper deck and soon arrived at the bloodied venue where the execution was done.


    As heid his jet-ck irises upon the horrific scenery, Abraham saw dozens of corpses scattered throughout the wooden deck.

 Chapter 27: | 027 | Upsetting Truth

    "Damn¡­"Abraham quietly muttered under his breath while gazing upon the horrific scene of corpses scattered throughout the wooden deck of the merchant vessel. Itwasn''tworse than he imagined, but more grounded instead.


    As he stepped into the main deck where the cold corpsesy, the middle-aged man carefully observed the results of his actions with scrutiny and disappointment.


    He was the one who ordered their execution, and now that they were dead, theydidn''tseem that much different. Theydidn''tlook like the evil monsters he imagined them to be.


    ''Iguess this is what makes humans¡­ human. A monsterdoesn''thave to be hideous or be an abomination. They might look nothing more than a human.''


    This was the truth that Abraham discovered. Deathwasn''tasspecis he had previously thought. Everyone dies the same, with their lifeless corpse in or on the ground.


    ''Should I be disappointed?''Abraham thought while squinting his eyes. He crouched before one of the corpses and saw the expression it made before its demise.


    Horror, fear, and despair.


    He should have been regretting the decisions he had picked by now. But in his heart, there was no regret. Only the eerie tranquil as if his choice was paramount.


    Was he bing the monster that he was disgusted by?Abrahamcouldn''tfind the answer to this question, but perhapsin the future,he''llfind one.


    For now, the only thing he could do was make the choices that were for the best of himself and the United Navy.


    ''Whyam I having philosophical thoughts since I becamethe Fleet Admiral?''Abraham shook his head in annoyance. It must have been the books he had read in the office.


    "Clean the corpses up and throw them overboard. Lead me to the captain of this ship."He coldly ordered the Marines, who followed his words without any hesitation.


    Oneof themappeared to have prepared a mop as if expecting the order. This made Abraham wonder whether or not these crayon-eaten men were making fun of him.


    Though,he merely shook his head and appreciated their efficiency in the matter.


    While the Marines cleansed the bloodied main deck of themerchant''svessel, Abraham was led by one of the Marines into thecaptain''scabinwhere the ve-trading captain was held.


    As they stepped into the cabin through its cracked wooden doors, they saw the captain tied on a luxurious wooden chair with 2nd Lieutenant Campbell beside him.


    The Marine gave way for the Fleet Admiral and stepped aside. On the other hand, Abraham walked forward with his steps echoing throughout the cabin.


    Captain Crassus, who was beaten up by the 2nd Lieutenant, looked at the Fleet Admiral and started screaming in fear.


    "Ican''tunderstand whatyou''resaying! Why are you doing this to me!?"


    Abraham raised an eyebrow with interest in his eyes.It appears thatthe 2nd Lieutenant dida goodjob giving the captain a lesson, though it looks like the interrogationwasn''tworking.


    "Apologies, Sir. None of us understand whathe''stalking about, and maybe vice versa."Campbell nced at the captain while saluting to the Fleet Admiral.


    Abraham merely nodded at the 2nd Lieutenant and responded.


    "Language barriers are a problem, but fortunately, I can understand most of theirnguages."His proficiency in otherworldlynguageswasn''tsomething he was intent on hiding.


    It would be better if his subordinates knew of his capabilities sothat theywouldn''t preemptively dispose of possible intel because ofnguage barriers.


    "Isee¡­As expected of the Fleet Admiral,I''llbein your guidance in the interrogation."Campbell smiled at Abraham, revealing his ivory teeth.


    To think this was the guy that executed the ve-trading sailors.


    Abraham shook his head and felt his palms cold despiteitbeing covered by the finestofgloves.He stood in front of the tied captain and maintained his icy expression.


    "Iam Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd of the United Navy."He introduced himself to the captain and slowly tookouta ck revolver from his holster.


    Abraham ced it beside the tied captain of the merchant vessel and remembered the teachings of his beloved partner, Systema.


    When dealing with captured enemies,hemustn''treveal a trace of weakness and converse with them calmly.He must also subtly announce their fates if theydon''tcooperate.


    Hedidn''tknow if putting a revolver beside the captured enemy would do the job.But it was the only wayhe knewto subtly dere their unfortunate fates.


    "How about you introduce yourself?" The middle-aged man smiled at the captured captain who gaped at him with undisguised horror. It was quite something for a man to look at you with such a provoking gaze. It made him feel a strange emotion.


    Anyhow,regardless of his sadistic thoughts, Abraham patiently waited for thecaptain''sresponse.After all, he had all the time in the world towait.


    Captain Crassus gazed at the somewhat handsome Fleet Admiral and muttered inhisragged breath.


    "Itdoesn''tmatter if I introduce myself. Youwon''tbe able to understand me to begin with."He seemed to grumble in annoyancethoughit wasced with fear.


    Abraham lightly chuckled at the response of the ugly bastard. But it soon disappeared as a threatening voice escaped his lips.


    "It looks like we are in understanding with each other. I hope you respond properly, or else." Abraham held the revolver and waved it beside the captain''s head.


    Crassus immediately realized what had happened and looked at the middle-aged man indeepshock. He was dumbfounded as it was beyond his expectations for someone who could understand him to appear.


    "You-"The captain stopped when he saw the icy gaze of the Fleet Admiral. The man before him wanted answers, so he could only gulp and respond with dread.


    "I-I am Captain Crassus of Pinguis Arca, a humble businessman."


    Crassus''s introduction made Abraham want to rip the bastard''s throat. He didn''t know if human trafficking was something humble in this world, but to have the gal to say it in front of him.


    Fortunately, he controlled his emotions well and his outward appearance didn''t change in the eyes of the pitiful captain.


    "Ahumble businessman, huh?Well, well,let''stalk about your presumed merchandise, humble businessman."Abraham''swords were shrouded in sarcastic disgust.


    "How many people are you nning to sendwhere are you selling them?"He asked a vital question to the captured captain of Pinguis Arca.


    Crassus was a bit hesitant after hearing the words of the Fleet Admiral. But with the revolver beside his head, the captain stopped hesitating and answered truthfully.


    "We nned to sell 130 ves into the Colonial Dominion of Terra."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, remembering the 127 ves recorded by Systema. That meant that 3 ves died before they got rescued by the United Navy.


    "Colonial Dominion of Terra¡­ Do you have a map of it?"The middle-aged man inquired once again, gazing directly into the eyes of the fearful captain.


    "Ye-Yes, I have a map ofTerra''ssea region,"Crassus responded while avoiding the peering gaze of the Fleet Admiral.


    "Thank you for answering honestly, captain.It''sgood thatyou''recooperative."


    "But, is there something youaren''ttelling me? For them to reinforce you with escort vessels, you must have sacrificed a lot for their protection. Though, why did you do it?"


    Abraham was satisfied that the captain cooperated with the interrogation, but he knewthatthingsweren''tas straightforward asit wason the surface.


    Crassus''sbody trembled, which was immediately noticed by the middle-aged man.


    ''Jackpot.''Abraham thought and decided to push the captain even further.


    "Please cooperate with me, Captain Crassus.Wouldn''tit be interesting to seethe sunrise of tomorrowinstead of forever basking in darkness?"With such words,Crassus''spir copsedandhe wapletelyat the mercy of the Fleet Admiral.


    "Thi- This¡­ I- I don- I mean¡­ What do you want to know?"Crassus lowered his head indejectionwhile lumping his body into the luxurious chair.


    "Ihave already said it before, Captain Crassus? What are you willing to protect so much on this ship?"Abraham felt pleased about his first interrogation.


    "Iwas nningto sell her to the Colonial Dominion of Terra for a hefty profit. I nned to have the greatest auction of all time, so I needed to get her to Terra no matter what."Crassus confessed and continued.


    "The magi are probably interested in something like her, one of a kind. No, perhaps, four of a kind. The rarest of allbeastfolk,and the strongest at that."


    Following each word of Crassus was the jumping interest of Abraham. The rarest and strongest beastfolk was chained under theshipimprisoned by various runes.


    "She was amongst the four revolutionaries of the Resistance, theleaders of the rebellion.I managed to acquire herafter getting a tipthat she was injured and exhausted to damnation."


    "And so, I captured her andassaid before, nned to sell her in the Colonial Dominion of Terra."Crassus felt weak after confessing to the Fleet Admiral.


    It was as though he was betraying himself, whichwasn''tfar from the truth.


    On the other hand, Abraham was in deep thought as he analyzed the matter of the captain. It appears that the pig wasn''t lying, meaning that his words might have some truth in them.


    If it was the truth, it meant thatthere was some big shotimprisoned in this ship.


    One of the rarest and strongest beastfolk that stood amongst the four leading revolutionaries of the so-called Resistance.


    After calmly scrutinizing the informationgivenabout the beastfolk imprisoned below, Abraham became more interested in the subject matter.


    Obviously, with interest stemming from the titles of the beastfolk, the Fleet Admiral wanted to meet and free her personally.It would be an intriguing sight, and perhaps, he would receive a favor.


    With this in mind, Abraham smiled at Captain Crassus as though he had struck gold. Meanwhile, Crassus felt chills over his body and noticed the Fleet Admiral staring at him with a scary smile.


    The ugly bastardcouldn''thelp but wonder if he was about to be tortured for the entirety of his life.

 Chapter 28: | 028 | Captain Crassuss Circumstance

    In the captain''s cabin of Pinguis Arca, Abraham stood on the wooden deck while holding an old-looking notebook between his gloved fingers. He had furrowed eyebrows as he nced at the words written on the pages.


    "I overestimated the Throne of Babel." He muttered with a tinge of disappointment in his tone. It appears that his perk, Throne of Babylon, didn''t give him the ability to understand writtennguage.


    Or perhaps, this was something that was beyondnguage.


    Nheless, it was disappointing for the middle-aged man who desired to learn more about magic. It felt like a great loss, but there was no use in continuing to be depressed about it.


    With this in mind, Abraham shook his head and threw the disappointment to the back of his mind. He turned his gaze towards the captured captain who looked at him with a horrified gaze.


    His eyes squinted as though asking what he had done to make the ugly bastard so terrified of him.


    "I guess there''s nothing left here, or is there?" Abraham raised an eyebrow and the captain flinched in instinct. This made Abraham feel that there were more treasures lurking about.


    ''This guy is hiding a lot of secrets.'' Abraham thought and looked at his men. He signaled the Marines to deeply inspect the area and destroy any obstacles in their path.


    The Marines nodded in understanding and swiftly followed their orders. They destroyed the cabs of the captain and broke every part of it where something could be hidden.


    After seeing nothing, their next target was the luxurious wooden desk. Crassus subtly moved, which was instantly noticed by Abraham who was keenly observing the captain.


    ''So, he hid it inside his desk.'' The middle-aged man snickered inside his mind and watched the Marines break the luxurious wooden desk into various pieces.


    Its destruction resounded throughout the cabin, and after some time, a chest was revealed. It was a small chest that could only be considered as storage for jewelry.


    "What a treasure we have here, Crassus. How do you think should we open it?" Abraham grinned at the captured captain.


    Crassus didn''t reply, which prompted the Fleet Admiral to look at his fellow subordinate, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell.


    Campbell nodded with a determined gaze and stepped forward. Crassus gazed at the toon leader in confusion before getting hit by a hard punch in the cheeks.


    *Pam!*


    Blood sttered across his face as he felt the stinging pain of his bloodied mouth. Crassus almost lost his consciousness and was barely holding on to his senses.


    "I don''t want things to be violent, Crassus. Tell me, how do you open this chest?" Abraham''s smile disappeared as a threatening tone escaped his mouth.


    Crassus looked at the Fleet Admiral and instinctively wanted to spit his blood on the middle-aged man''s face. Luckily, he stopped himself as he didn''t want to die yet.


    "Y-You¡­ Use blood¡­" Crassus breathed in and out throughout his response as he was barely out from the effects the hard punch did to his face.


    "Blood, huh¡­ As expected, things are always interesting with you." Abrahammented and took a drop of blood from the ugly bastard''s lips.


    After taking the droplet, he smeared it onto the small fancy chest.


    It didn''t take long as the locks inside the chest unfolded themselves, bringing about its opening. Inside were two interesting artifacts, with one being somewhat familiar.


    The first artifact was the runicmunicator resembling a bar of silver engraved with various runes of magicraft. As said before, it was used for long-rangemunication for those that acquired it.


    The second artifact seemed stranger than the first one. It resembled nothing more but a crimson gem with no obvious engravings in it. It makes one wonder whether or not it has any special properties.


    "I''ll be bothering you to know more about these two." Abraham smiled at the captain who felt repulsive anger in their heart.


    But Crassus contained it with all his might and released it with a sigh.


    The captain then started slowly exining the properties of the two artifacts. Although, he was having a hard time uttering words because of his bloodied mouth.


    Abraham listened carefully as he realized that the so-called runicmunicator was how the Pinguis Arca managed to call for reinforcements.


    With this in mind, his thoughts were directed at how they could jam the connection between two runicmunicators.


    However, he decided to have these thoughts at the back of his mind as there was another artifact he needed to think about. It was an interesting artifact, to say the least.


    The second artifact was called the Lingua Gem by Captain Crassus. ording to the captain, it trantes the words spoken by anyone or anything. Practically, a portable Throne of Babel.


    ''I see¡­ So, this is what they use tomunicate with the beastfolk. I guess thenguage barrier is problematic.'' Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as a realization struck him.


    ''They made this gem to tell the beastfolk they will be enved. Resistance is futile, and the results are death. A horrid use for an amazing artifact.'' He shook his head in disappointment.


    "Campbell, take this gemstone. Treat it as a trantor, which will help youmunicate with the locals of this ce." Abraham gave the Lingua Gem to his 2nd Lieutenant.


    Campbell epted the gemstone and nodded at the Fleet Admiral. Afterward, Abraham returned his attention to the captain.


    "Untie him and cuff his hands. We''ll be bringing him to the lower decks." He ordered the Marines, who acknowledged the orders with a nod.


    The Marines swiftly surrounded Crassus, who shivered from fear. They untied him from the luxurious chair, but immediately cuffed his hands behind his back.


    Crassus was a bit confused as to what was going on, but instantly understood after the Marines led him outside the cabin. They were nning to free the monster below.


    "What a great day, Crassus." Abraham smiled while some Marines were mopping the bloodied wooden floor. All of the corpses were already thrown overboard, leaving nothing behind but sttered blood.


    The captain of Pinguis Arca felt chills in his spine. The so-called United Navy gave no mercy to those who had died. Luckily, it seems that those alive were given mercy.


    Though¡­ As war prisoners of the United Navy.


    Crassus didn''t reply to the Fleet Admiral who was enjoying the warm sunlight of the golden sun. It made the middle-aged man feel a bit light, especially after the cold slowly seeped into his body.


    Abraham merely shook his head after getting no response from the captain and led the group to the lower decks. They entered the staircase and soon reached the lower decks.


    In the lower decks were several guarding Marines with some of them giving assistance to the injured and shackled hostages. Other Marines were also busy breaking the chains.


    Abraham''s entrance into the lower decks brought everyone''s attention. The Marines immediately stopped what they were doing and saluted the Fleet Admiral.


    "At ease." He uttered, making the Marines continue what they were previously doing.


    Meanwhile, a Marine officer stepped forward and lightly bowed to the highest ofmand. The Fleet Admiral must need something for him to go down into the lower decks.


    "How may I help you, Sir." The Marine officer asked with obvious respect.


    "Is there somece in the lower decks that your team can''t enter?" Abraham inquired, to which the Marine officer nodded in agreement and replied.


    "Yes, there is a strange vault at the bottom of the lower decks. We are still trying to force our way into it, but it will take time. The vault is somewhat tough."


    It appeared that the Marines had discovered the prison cell of the imprisoned revolutionary and were making an effort to open it.


    "Can you lead us to it?" Abraham asked and the Marine officer responded with a thumbs up. "If that is the wish of the Fleet Admiral, I shall do so."


    With the guidance of the Marine officer, Abraham''s group went deeper into the lower decks. They arrived at the bottom and saw a strange-looking vault engraved with several runic enchantments.


    The prison cell of this revolutionary wasvish and extremely secure. Her power must be somewhat powerful, enough to give Crassus a sense of caution.


    ''I wonder if such runic enchantments can work against a magus.'' Abraham was already thinking of ways to use the prison vault against the magi.


    But that wasn''t the subject they were tackling at the moment.


    He turned his gaze to the cuffed captain of Pinguis Arca as if expecting him to do something. Crassus noticed the eyes of the Fleet Admiral and sighed in disappointment.


    Bing a prisoner was far from delighting, but it was his fate as the defeated.


    Following the desire of the Fleet Admiral, Crassus walked forward and stood in front of the vault door. He looked at it and remembered the revolutionary he had captured.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if what he had done was the worst choice of his life. After all, without it, his fate would have been far from a prisoner.


    Crassus took a deep breath and muttered one single word to the runic enchanted vault imprisoning the revolutionary.


    "Aperta."


    The locking mechanism of the vault door slowly unraveled, causing clicks of metallic hum to reverberate throughout the bottom deck of Pinguis Arca.


    Everyone backed away from the vault door as it steadily loosened and released its bolts. In a couple of seconds, the vault door unfastened and opened before their eyes.


    The Marines prepared themselves for the worst while Abraham squinted his eyes with a serious expression stered on his face.


    Even though he might have been acting easygoing, he was the most nervous amongst the group. He hoped for whatever was inside to be peaceful as a bloodbath would probably follow if it was hostile.


    When the vault door fully opened, Abraham and the Marines saw what was inside. The walls of the vault were cluttered with runes while chains spread throughout the interior preventing movements.


    At the center of it all was the shackled revolutionary.


    A gorgeousdy with silver-white hair and a pair of sharp ck horns on her head. She had a thick dark-scaled tailying beside her body, while her limbs were strapped in chains.


    She was the fallen one.

 Chapter 29: | 029 | The Fallen One, Laplace

    In the fortified vault imbued with various runic enchantments and secured with several chains, a gorgeous white-haireddyy shackled at its center. Quite contrasting appearance from the monster-like imprisonment.


    When the fortified vault doors slowly unfolded and opened itself to the outside world. The white-haireddy slowly opened his eyes and saw the one that imprisoned her along with many others.


    She noticed the unbridled fear in the captain''s eyes, making her slightly chuckle at his unfortunate circumstance.


    On the other hand, Abraham was in a daze as though he had seen something profound, which wasn''t far from the truth for the middle-aged man.


    A stunning white-haireddy with demon-like ck horns and a dark lizard tail was a check in the list of things he found attractive.


    Though, Abraham controlled himself and didn''t reveal much from his expression. It would be damned if the other side thought of him as a weirdo.


    "My, my¡­ Crassus. You lost your life." An exquisite voice escaped her supple lips while the captain trembled in horror.


    Abraham noticed the reaction of Crassus and wondered what the captain feared so much from the white-haireddy in front of them.


    "It looks like you already knew what happened to the ship." The Fleet Admiral remarked and the beautiful white-haireddy raised an eyebrow before returning to look at him with interest.


    "So, you understand ournguages. Here I thought, I will be handling another annoyingnguage barrier." She lightly chuckled as if not bothered by her situation.


    "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd of the United Navy." As per etiquette, Abraham introduced himself to the imprisoned one.


    The gorgeous white-haired demoness merely gazed at the Fleet Admiral, seemingly stupefied. However, she hid it quickly for a second.


    "I am honestly dumbfounded, a human actually respectfully introduced himself to a beastfolk. Is the sun rising from the west?" The white-haireddy yfullymented.


    "Apologies, but the sun is sadly rising from the west." Abraham gave an amusing smile to thedy, while the Marines nced at the Fleet Admiral in shock.


    But the 2nd Lieutenant red at his men to not react much to their Fleet Admiral''s attempts. There must be a reason for it, a n perhaps.


    "What a jolly gentleman," The white-haireddy giggled while being shackled by dozens of chains.


    "May I know your name?" Abraham asked as his mind ran with various digital screens that helped him talk eloquently to the beautiful white-haireddy.


    ording to Systema, he needed all the help he could get. Or specifically, her words were.


    | Fleet Admiral, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow and graduate as a man. Systema will assist every moment of this conversation for the Fleet Admiral''s future. |


    Abraham didn''t know if he should be disappointed in himself for asking for assistance from his precious partner, but with how things were going, he wasn''t regretting it.


    The gorgeous white-haireddy raised an eyebrow and turned her golden irises with slit-like pupils to the captain of Pinguis Arca, Crassus.


    "I see¡­ Crassus must not have entirely exined what he was keeping in the bottom of his ship." There was a tinge of disappointment in the white-haireddy''s words.


    "Crassus, I believe you will exin the truth to the gentleman here, correct?" Her voice resounded in the rune-imbued vault, making Crassus rapidly nod his head.


    Abraham felt somewhat confused as the ugly bastard seemed to be a lot more terrified of the imprisoneddy than of him. He didn''t know why, so he was a bit curious about it.


    Crassus nced at the Fleet Admiral feeling egged between the rock and a hard ce. Just when he thought things couldn''t get worse, he was now standing in front of an actual monster.


    The captain of Pinguis Arca stepped closer to Abraham. The Marines were about to stop him, but the middle-aged man signaled them to halt and let the captain continue on his way.


    When the two were close to one another, Crassus took a deep breath and exined the information of the beautiful white-haireddy in great detail.


    "Thedy here is the leader of the rebellion, considered as one of the four rarest beastfolks named the cardinal beast deities. Her title was Dragon. The runes in the vault are barely suppressing her power and I suggest not to mess with it."


    Crassus whispered while glimpsing at the white-haireddy who was merely smiling at him. The captain felt shivers before shaking his head and continuing his exnation.


    "She''s stronger than anything and anyone. Even the Magus you fought will not be able to handle her and would probably be defeated in a minute."


    "The reason why I was able to capture her to begin with was luck, so I hope that none of us will y with fire." Crassus''s warning made sense, but Abraham felt a lot of bias from it.


    It waspletely natural for Crassus to be fearful. After all, he was the one that imprisoned her when she was at her lowest. Besides, her dangerous threat only implies that she was hostile against the United Navy.


    But through the Brand of Loyalty, Abraham understood her overall sentiments towards the United Navy and it was mostly neutral. There were no signs of hostilities or hatred.


    With this in mind, he arrived at his greatest decision that he wouldn''t regret throughout the entirety of his life. It gave him a powerful ally and perhaps¡­


    At any rate, Abraham gazed at the imprisoned one with determination zing from his eyes. The gorgeous white-haireddy looked at him with calm and muttered.


    "Have you decided my fate?" Her tone was the same yet different. It wasn''t as confident as before and it was shrouded with hidden pain.


    It looks like she wasn''t overpowering as she''d like to portray.


    Maybe, there was tragedy in her capture. Though¡­ Abraham understood that it wasn''t his right to intrude on her personal history and life.


    "I''ll decide once you give me your name, personally." He calmly stated and entered the rune-enchanted vault of the imprisoned white-haireddy.


    The dragoness looked at Abraham with a dumbfounded expression and lightlyughed at his words. Her golden-slitted eyes peered with grace at Abraham''s before she responded to his words.


    "I am Lace, the Dragoness of the East." The imprisoned one finally introduced herself to the Fleet Admiral, bringing about an amiable atmosphere.


    "Good to see you, Lace. Call me, Abraham. I''ll set you free." Abraham smirked at the white-haireddy and walked over to the runic enchantments imbued on the vault''s walls.


    He took out a military knife from his coat and began ruining the enchantments. In mere seconds, the enchantments lost their power and the suppression of Lace faded in an instant.


    The white-haired dragoness, or Lace, felt her strength returning to her weakened body. It has been a while since she grasped this great power.


    Afterward, the chains restraining her to the center broke into pieces as she steadily moved her shackled limbs left and right.


    Abraham felt the strength of the dragoness and wondered the limits of her power. She might be able to lift a truck with ease, and maybe more in her current state.


    "How does freedom feel like?" He inquired, to which the white-haired dragoness replied with a saddened smile.


    "Delightful and Heavy." Quite a depressing answer, but Abraham gave a thumbs up and remarked to the freed white-haired dragoness.


    "It looks like you''re free."


    Freedom wasn''t always without a price as it has responsibilities and consequences. You would be in charge of your own life, and be responsible for your failures.


    Sometimes, you would fear the responsibilities of freedom. But that''s a natural process and time will help you adapt to its difficulties.


    It was something Abraham personally understood from his former experiences.


    Meanwhile, Crassus was beside the Marine, in fear of the dragoness doing something against him. She stared at him in intrigue and grinned, revealing her fangs.


    "Do I appear like someone who wants to eat you, Crassus?" Lace seemed like teasing Crassus, but Abraham knew that the captain would have died if not for the dragoness understanding that he needed the captain alive.


    The color of her sentiments towards Captain Crassus was incredibly hostile. Which was understandable. You just don''t move on from envement, because someone said so.


    "We can chatterter, how about we climb to the upper decks?" Abraham coolly advised, which everyone in the bottom deck epted.


    The group then walked through the staircase with Abraham and Lace leading the way. It didn''t take long for them to reach the main deck and the radiant light of the sun swiftly covered their bodies.


    Lace used her pale arms as cover from the bright radiance of the sun and soon observed the main deck of the conquered merchant vessel of Pinguis Arca.


    As her golden-slitted eyes discerned her surroundings, the dragoness promptly noticed gigantic metallic warships passing beside the merchant ship. One towered over everything and created a vast shadow epassing the ship.


    It was then she realized the exceptional power of the United Navy.

 Chapter 30: | 030 | Calm Before The Storm

    The white-haired dragoness, Lace, gazed at the metallic warships of the United Navy with clear amazement. She was a bit curious about how Abraham''s force managed to capture the merchant ship, but with these weapons of war before her.


    The truth was obvious.


    Pinguis Ara was conquered through sheer firepower.


    Lace slowly turned her eyes to the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd, with a curious gaze, wanting to know more about the United Navy.


    Abraham merely grinned when her eyesid down upon him and calmly exined some information about the United Navy, which the dragoness carefully exined.


    "The United Navy is a modern naval force consisting of several unique fleets and technologies. Compared to this sea, we might seem alien, even to the humanity you loathe."


    "After all, you must have felt it right? The great differences between us and them." He stated with confidence as though he uttered a fact.


    Lace only smiled at his statement and nodded in response. There was a substantial difference between the humans of the United Navy and the humans of Europa.


    But the differences between the two humanity remained questioned. Even Abraham didn''t know the answer, but a conjecture was already made inside his head.


    And it was a disappointing one.


    At any rate, with Lace''s confirmation, he continued his exnation.


    "Our values are simple and that is the freedom of all sapient-life."


    "Stemming from that value is the banning of very and the enforcement of maritime security for the freedom of anyone to safely navigate the seas."


    "It might sound arrogant to outsiders, but it is our value and that is something that must never change. Otherwise, the United Navy will be no more."


    Abraham asserted the values of the United Navy which every naval personnel proudly uphold. It was a part of their identity that must never be abandoned.


    "I see¡­ Somewhat of a strange idea that I never thought of, but it makes sense." Lace was undergoing enlightenment.


    For someone who was always exposed to the violence of the olden era, getting introduced to the values that needed a thousand years to bepletely born was quite an intriguing affair to go through.


    "Doesn''t your rebellion involve acquiring freedom from the envers in the colonies?" Abraham raised an eyebrow as her statement confused him even though he understood it a bit.


    "Correct, we fought for freedom, but not for all. Only for us and our kind. Because of that, some of our species also enved humans." Lace shook her head and felt disappointed.


    The idea was there, but it wasn''t something easy to realize.


    In theke of hatred where everything was painted in blood, the idea of your enemies'' kind being treated the same as you were revolting.


    "That is understandable. When you are in a precarious situation, it will be hard to prioritize others who aren''t connected to you in any way." Abraham understood the sentiment of priority.


    It wasn''t something foreign to him or anyone in his world. Even the United Navy will have the same sentiments for those they protect and those outside of their influence.


    If given the option to save others or themselves, the United Navy will pick their own and then the others.


    "But to think that the beastfolk could enve other humans." Abraham was somewhat surprised by this fact. He thought that the beastfolk were at the bottom of the food chain, but it looked like he was wrong once again.


    "While most of the Ferus Sea are upied by the colonizers of Europa and the other continents, there are some under control by beastfolk-controlled nations."


    "However, those nations tended to be closed-off and vicious even to their own kind. One can consider them barbaric, but they were my former allies nheless."


    Lace exined the reasons why such a thing could be possible. Though¡­ There was something in her words that brought Abraham''s attention.


    It was the fact that she considered them as her former allies, which meant the burning of the bridges between the two.


    Something must have happened for that to ur.


    "You have given me a lot of information, Lace. I am extremely grateful for it. I''ll try my best to return you to your rebel forces." Abraham wanted to have an ally as it was impossible to handle the world alone.


    But when he uttered of her rebel forces, Lace''s face seemed to wallow in sorrow, hatred, and deep mncholy.


    Abraham noticed it clearly and wondered whether or not something had happened to her rebel forces. But he didn''t dare to question it as it wasn''t the time.


    They barely met and didn''t have time to understand each other deeper yet, so it was better to bid on his patience and wait for her to open up.


    Before the two could continue their deepening discussion, a radio operator walked over to the two and issued a report to the Fleet Admiral.


    "Mission Report, Fleet Admiral." The radio operator saluted and awaited further instructions from the highest ofmand.


    Abraham turned his eyes away from the radio operator and expressed his enjoyment of their discussion.


    "It was an interesting conversation, Lace. I''ll be taking my bid with my subordinate here. I hope we can continue our discussionter."


    "I have the same thoughts, Abraham." A yful smile was on Lace''s face, making Abraham unknowingly shiver. It was like being stared down by a predator.


    Anyhow, Abraham swiftly parted from Lace and headed to the corner railings with the radio operator for the uing mission report. It looks like his subordinates havepleted it with ease.


    "I''ll start with the Mission Report, Sir." The radio operator announced and Abraham nodded in agreement.


    The radio operator soon started his long report about the rescue mission of the prisoners of war. Most were captured with ease, but some resisted and were promptly taken down.


    Abraham wasn''t against their execution since they were the ones who dared to resist his personnel. Besides, hostilities weren''t taken well on the decks of UN Ships.


    The radio operator also mentioned the transfer of prisoners of war to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas where they will be kept during the entirety of the maritime-security mission.


    Other than that, the precise number of war prisoners was about 86 men. A rather low number, but it was already a barely manageable one.


    Amongst the prisoners of war, there were also captured high-ranking officers, which might have confidential information about their opponents.


    All in all, the information reported by the radio operator was extremely useful in providing a depth and image of their situation.


    As the radio operator continued his report, Abraham felt satisfied by the results and silently nced at the dragoness who appeared to be observing the boundless horizon.


    With his jet-ck eyes on her, Abraham uttered a question to his precious partner.


    "Systema, is she listening to my conversation?" He couldn''t help but wonder whether or not Lace could hear them from a distance.


    Systema''s response didn''t dy and a mechanical ring resounded in Abraham''s mind.


    *Ding!*


    | The individual, Lace, is listening to our conversation Fleet Admiral. |


    "How?" He raised his eyebrows as it was hard to believe that someone could be hearing them from afar.


    | Judging from her bodynguage and movements, I have deduced that she''s lovingly listening to your conversation like how one would listen to a radio. |


    | How the target manages to do that is unknown¡­ |


    Abraham shook his head when he heard of Systema''s words and looked at the dragoness with deepening interest. A smile emerged on his face as his conversation with the radio operator concluded.


    After the report, the radio operator returned to do his job after giving a salute while Abraham went back to the gathering of Marines in the main deck.


    He stood before them as though he was about to give an announcement, which he was going to do.


    "The UNS Light Bringer is finished cleaning things up. It''s time for the hostages to be extracted from the merchant ship."


    "They must be fully extracted in 10 minutes. I want us out of here quickly." Abraham announced and ordered his men for the extraction of the hostages.


    He and the Marines had been dwelling on this ship for far too long. They needed to leave the merchant vessel and continue tracing the route given by Systema for thepletion of the maritime security mission.


    "Affirmative, Sir!" 2nd Lieutenant Campbell shouted and saluted to him. The Marines also did the same and epted his orders without questions.


    With that, the extraction or evacuation of the hostages was underway. Several zodiacs were being filled with beastfolks and delivered to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    Meanwhile, Abraham walked towards the wooden railings and carefully observed the dazed dragoness.


    "The scenery must be captivating." He calmly muttered and stood beside her, watching the same horizon as the white-haired dragoness.


    Hearing his words, Lace got out of her trance and glimpsed at the handsome middle-aged man beside her. A pleasant smile formed on her face as she responded.


    "It is enchanting¡­"


    Following her response was silence, the two never uttered a single word while looking over the same beautiful scenery.


    But such silence was soon broken when Lace spoke to Abraham in a soothing voice.


    "Apologies for eavesdropping in your conversation, Abraham." She seems to have proactively apologized for listening to his discussion with the radio operator.


    "It''s just something I can''t help. I can hear everything around me with ease, distances don''t matter." But then, Lace just dropped a bomb out of nowhere.


    Abraham could only look at her with an astounded expression.

 Chapter 31: | 031 | Sirens Call

    In the main deck of Pinguis Arca, Abraham was dumbfounded by what Lace had revealed to him. The ability to hear in vast distances? What were its limits and how far can it go? Such questions echoed inside his head.


    But before asking some questions to the dragoness. Abraham immediately threw his astounded expression away and regained his calm.


    It wouldn''t be good to have a stupid face during the conversation with Lace.


    "How far can you hear and what are its limits?" He humbly questioned, wanting to know more about her abilities. After all, it was never good to be ignorant.


    Lace gazed at his jet-ck eyes with thoughts going through her head before responding to his curious question. A yful smile emerged on her face as she pointed into the high seas.


    "Hmm¡­ I can hear how amazing you are from your subordinates in that warship." What she was pointing at was none other than the UNS Light Bringer.


    At first, Abraham kept ncing at her pale finger and the UNS Light Bringer trying to calcte their distances from one another.


    Luckily though, Systema assisted him and gave him the answer.


    *Ding!*


    | The distance between the dragoness and the UNS Light Bringer is over 750 meters or specifically about 786.4 meters. |


    ''I appreciate your assistance, Systema.'' Abraham thought to himself and realized the words that Systema had uttered in her monotone voice.


    ''What the-''


    786 meters was a far distance in Abraham''s mind. The fact that she heard so far into the high seas while also being able to hear through metallic reinforced walls was nothing short of amazing.


    ''I underestimated her.'' He felt that he had underestimated the capabilities of this white-haired dragoness greatly. And this might not be the end of her capabilities, so he became even more curious about her.


    But there were some things that should be questioned and some things that shouldn''t. Abraham feared that he might ask an information too personal to the dragoness.


    It won''t be good for rtions, especially when he sought for her power and her forces in the high seas.


    "That is¡­ Incredibly amazing, Lace." Abraham muttered under his breath, but it was clearly heard by the dragoness, who merely grinned at his words.


    "This isn''t the end of my abilities, Abraham. I''m sure you''re curious about it." Lace ced her fingers under his chin and her golden-slitted eyes directly gazed upon his clear jet-ck irises.


    Abraham stepped back and lightly coughed beforementing to the dragoness.


    "There are things that must be said, not questioned. I believe that you''ll tell meter, not out of debt, but because you want to."


    Lace froze when he heard his genuine words of patience and humility. It made her a bit embarrassed of her recent actions, though she hid the embarrassment deep in her heart.


    On the other hand, Systema was bewildered by how good her Fleet Admiral''s eloquence was in speaking with a woman. It made her wonder if it was talent or luck.


    For someone who was considered to be a middle-aged loser, such words might havee from somewhere, but where actually?


    Abraham didn''t know that his kind words brought confusion to both women inside and outside of himself.


    Other than not knowing how to read facial expressions from professionals, he was also ignorant that kind, loving, and understanding words were women''s weaknesses.


    "As expected of a gentleman, you must be popr, Abraham." Lace decided to counter the middle-aged man''s unexpected allure, but sadly she failed.


    "I am sadly not, Lace. But thank you for yourpliment." Abraham smiled as this was the first time someone assumed that he was a popr guy.


    Which, not gonna lie, felt good for his abyssal ego.


    Apliment would always make other''s day brighter, regardless if they were men or women. It was a natural state of appreciation that social monkeys like humans loved.


    Upon understanding this knowledge, Abraham felt that it wasn''t pleasant to be the only oneplimented. So, his lips opened and pleasant words escaped his mouth.


    "I must say, Lace. You are honestly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You''re a charming and gorgeousdy," There were no lies in his words.


    Abraham didn''t talk to women that much in his former life, and to be honest, Lace was really the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen.


    "Oh my¡­ Is Abraham hitting on me?" Lace smirked at the middle-aged man, who raised an eyebrow after hearing her.


    The fact that thisdy always teased him at any moment was intriguing yet provoking. It was time to counter, so an enthralling idea appeared inside his mind.


    "Apologies, Lace. It seems that I was too obvious." Abraham gleefully grinned at the dragoness.


    Before they could continue, however, 2nd Lieutenant Campbell interrupted their conversation. The blond young man had a serious expression on his face, signifying the emergence of a troublesome problem.


    Campbell saluted to his Fleet Admiral and reported the newest ry of the warships.


    "Sir, a target group has been detected 50 kilometers away from our current location." His words resounded and Abraham immediately raised an eyebrow.


    "Say again, 2nd Lieutenant," Abraham ordered and the 2nd Lieutenant calmly responded. "Target group detected, distance 50 kilometers."


    The Fleet Admiral furrowed his eyebrows as this was beyond problematic. It might be another reinforcement of the merchant vessel, or it might be entirely something else.


    "Has the extraction of the hostages beenpleted?" Abraham coolly asked since they needed to retreat fast before whatever group heading towards this location reached them.


    "Extraction is about to bepleted, Sir. We are at ourst batches of rescued hostages." Campbell answered, which made the middle-aged man sigh in relief.


    "It looks like it''s time for us to leave," Abraham muttered under his breath and nced at Lace, who had an expression of understanding.


    He wondered whether or not the dragoness knew something of the unexpected intrusion of a target group.


    "Do you know something, Lace?" Abraham questioned while Lace looked at him with her golden-slitted eyes and softly replied.


    "Your current circumstances sound familiar."


    "May I know what you have fought before capturing the merchant''s vessel?"


    While the vault blocked most of her hearing from going through, she could feel the ongoing battle before the capture of the Pinguis Arca.


    Hearing her question, Abraham thought for a moment before responding to the dragoness.


    "We fought four escort vessels who appeared to have a group of magi protecting them. It was a tough battle, but we hadplete victory over them."


    Abraham''s response made Lace raise an eyebrow and mumble under his gaze.


    "So¡­ War masters, huh. I guess with their involvement, things make sense." After her short mumbling, she gazed at Abraham and stated.


    "Your warships are in trouble, Abraham. You have fought against War masters, which might not be as problematic as the usual magus, but can be troublesome when grouped up together."


    "What do you mean by that, Lace?" Abraham felt confused as to what the dragoness was trying to imply from her words.


    "The War masters, in their final breath, can sacrifice themselves for a forbidden spell. The one they used might be the siren''s call, which is a horrific spell that could destroy fleets when enacted upon."


    "Specifically, the siren''s call emits an unknown frequency that can travel for hundreds upon thousands of metrons. Afterward, that frequency can call sea monsters known as Leviathans to its location."


    The more Lace exined, the more hopeless Abraham became.


    Sea monsters? When did dealing with some magic guy result in fighting against sea monsters? Was his luck so bad?


    Abraham couldn''t help but have useless thoughts before returning his calm and realizing the importance of the information unveiled by Lace.


    "2nd Lieutenant, advise the captains to be cautious and report to them the possibility of sea monsters being our adversaries." He swiftly ordered Campbell beside him.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral." 2nd Lieutenant Campbell saluted to Abraham and took his leave to meet with the radio operators in the merchant vessel.


    "Lace, thank you for the vital information." Abraham smiled at the dragoness as he was incredibly grateful for the information she had given him.


    The fact that they could possibly consider the target group as sea monsters would make them more prepared for the uing assault.


    "You''re wee, Abraham." Lace epted the thankfulness of the Fleet Admiral with a soothing smile.


    "How about we take our leave. Staying in this merchant vessel is bing a hazard to us." Abraham threw his hand out to the dragoness, who epted it without hesitation or dy.


    The two of them entered thest batches of zodiac delivery along with 2nd Lieutenant Campbell and the Marines. The merchant vessel was emptied of life and became nothing but a dested ship floating in the middle of the high seas.


    Meanwhile, in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux heard various reports from the intelligence officers and operators.


    "152 degree probe detection. Distance 43,000 meters and closing. Depth lowering from 10 to 125. Speed 50 knots, elerating."


    "Get the bird up in the air!" Captain Lux ordered for the Seahawks to move.


    "Sending orders to the hangar deck, Sir." One radio operator ryed his orders to the ones in the hangar deck.


    "Target group at 152 degrees. Distance 40,000 meters. Speed 53 knots. We are fast approaching!" Another naval personnel reported.


    Upon hearing it, Captain Lux immediately sounded the rms.


    "Ready for the engagement!" With his words, a reverberating rm resounded throughout the decks of the UNS Light Bringer.


    *This is not a drill! This is not a drill! General quarters, all hands man your battle stations!*

 Chapter 32: | 032 | Herd of Leviathans

    Inside the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Abraham watched the live footage recorded by a Seahawk. Within the live footage was the herd of sea monsters propelling themselves into the location of the United Navy Fleet.


    Abraham''s eyebrows were furrowed as the reality of their circumstances set into his mind. It was far from good, especially with their newly-acquired intelligence.


    ''Sea monsters with a length of between fifty meters and a hundred meters are heading towards us. Despite their size, they also seem very fast. Can we even handle them?''


    He silently thought with a grave expression. If they wanted to win against their iing adversaries, they must carry out a first strike.


    "Fleet Admiral, what are our further orders?" Captain Lux inquired with profoundness. Abraham was interrupted from his thoughts and nced at the captain.


    "Let''s execute our first-strike protocol and immediately throw every anti-surface and anti-submarine ordnance we have towards them."


    "These sea monsters are extremely dangerous. The moment they get close to us will be the time our fleet will meet its demise."


    Regardless of how big or metallic their warship was, two or three sea monsters might be able to sink them. And with a herd of them iing, it was obvious what the result was.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. We will beunching our avable standard missiles." While it was painful to waste millions of dors, it was for a chance of survival.


    "Good, I want them ready in 2 minutes." Abraham nodded in satisfaction and Captain Lux began implementing the orders of the Fleet Admiral.


    With Captain Lux gone, Abraham was left alone, observing the herd of Leviathans. Lace gave deeper information about these creatures, and he finally understood why the spell was forbidden.


    Leviathans were violent sea creatures that traveled in a herd of a dozen or more. They were serpentine in form, but with several tentacles dangling from their body.


    These oceanic abominations have scales that not even a barrage of cannon balls couldn''t prate, and an acidic saliva that could melt anything or anyone.


    They would sink any ships in their nearby vicinity as though it was their covenant, so they weren''t useful for military purposes, which the nations of foreigners understood.


    But while not useful for military purposes, they were a trump card that could be used when one was fated to die against the enemy.


    It was the concept of mutually assured destruction or MAD. The fact that these locals understood the concept was already problematic for the Fleet Admiral.


    ''I can''t help but feel that things will be moreplicated in the future.'' Abraham thought while shaking his head in annoyance.


    He already understood that his life in this world would be far from a calm one. But this was too much for a middle-aged man like him to handle.


    Just after handling a naval battle, destiny wanted him to fight against a sea monster? How much does it want him to die?


    Abraham couldn''t help but feel that the world was against him. It felt a bit foolish to feel such a way, though it was hard not to.


    ''Let''s stop being narcissistic and handle the trouble.'' He wryly smiled and quietly thought to himself. He continued to observe the monitors presenting the situation outside.


    Naval strategies kept popping up inside his head and none of them were working out. He wasn''t dealing with an enemy fleet, destroyer, cruiser, aircraft carrier, or a submarine.


    He was about to fight against a herd of giant sea monsters.


    ''Perhaps, I might be thinking too much about it. Instead, I need to understand how they engage to know the tactics I could use against them.'' Abraham had a realization.


    Through this thought process, he analyzed the information he had about the Leviathans. From the words of Lace, these sea monsters seemed to attack in close quarters.


    If they engage through close quarters via ramming into ships, one can consider them as agile massive guns or torpedo boats. Although faster and more agile than any gunboat. They could also submerge deep into the waters.


    With this consideration, an idea struck the Fleet Admiral. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. These guys were like stronger and faster ramming ships.


    But that doesn''t make them impossible to fight against, only hard to deal with.


    "Have the armada follow the maritime-security route at full speed. The UNS Zarya will be leading the formation with the UNS Light Bringer in the rear. The UNS Guardian of the High Seas will be in between the two."


    Abraham gave further orders, which were heard by the intelligence officers and themunication operators. Without any hesitation, they ryed his orders to the bridge.


    The reason for the recent orders was simple. Their greatest advantage was distance and they must maintain it for their survival.


    Through this, one can conclude that the United Navy must advance and not face the sea monsters head-on. Instead, they could use their torpedoes and missiles to terminate the Leviathans one by one.


    It was a sound strategy that didn''t have any issues. It was also the better option as a direct fight against sea monsters would cause a lot of casualties.


    "Orders have been ryed, Sir. The bridge will be following through ordingly."


    "Fleet Admiral, a data link has been established with UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas. Their respective captains are desiring to meet the highest ofmand."


    The first report made Abraham nod in contentment, but the second one made him confused. It was then he remembered that he hadn''t met with the captains of the two newly summoned ships.


    "Open their transmission," Abraham ordered and themunication operator connected the transmission through a data link.


    One might be curious about the data link.


    Well, the tactical data link(TDL) systems were essentialponents of fully integrated navalmunications systems on both manned and unmanned naval tforms.


    All navalmand, control, andmunications (C3) systems rely on tactical data link systems and standards to either transmit, ry or receive critical data.


    TDL interoperability enables tactical data to be shared between operators in real time on manned tforms and enables data from unmanned tforms to be integrated into the C3 data streams.


    True tacticalmunications interoperability across all naval assets facilitates amon, mission-critical view of surface, subsurface, air, and space environments.


    In simpler terms, it wasparable to a highly advanced private discord server for Navy assets. Typically, there would be satellites supporting the data link for vast connection.


    But for now, they could only connect a data link through close distances of half a thousand kilometers maximum.


    *Comrade Fleet Admiral, Zarya is honored to see the highest ofmand.*


    *Fleet Admiral, Guardian reveres.*


    In two of the monitor screens were the captains of the UNS Zarya and the UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    Vokshod looked like the usual Russian old man, although a bit on the buffer side. One might mistake him for being in his forties because of his unusually high vitality.


    On the other hand, Howard had short gray hair and seemed to be only a few years older than Abraham. Perhaps, the captain had just recently reached his forties.


    "It''s nice meeting you two." Abraham nodded at the two captains in the monitor screens and continued. "I would like to discuss more about the two of you, but for now, we have a problem to handle."


    "I''m confident that the intelligence officers had sent you my orders." While he would like to get to know them more, this wasn''t the time for such interactions.


    *Comrade Fleet Admiral, orders have been received. The UNS Zarya will be leading the formation of the great armada.* Vokshod felt honored to be given the responsibility of leading the front of the formation.


    *Fleet Admiral, the battle n has been weed. The UNS Guardian of the High Seas will be providing full support to the formation and will tackle the sea monster problem.*


    Howard also didn''t seem against the n Abraham had in mind. It was simple but effective for their current circumstances.


    While a protocol for such situations was desired, he understood that they didn''t have the time and resources to create the strategic n.


    Besides, they could handle sea monster protocols after they survived these precarious circumstances they found themselves in.


    "Good, I will be expecting your cooperation in this uing battle." Abraham was satisfied that his newly acquired naval personnel were listening to him without resistance.


    *The UNS Zarya will endure and fight for the United Navy!* Captain Vokshod saluted to him before ending the transmission.


    *The UNS Guardian of the High Seas has the same determination, Fleet Admiral. We will engage against anyone, even the entire world if the situation says so.* Captain Howard was the same and had deeper resolutions.


    His transmission ended after uttering such words and silence encapsted the monitor screens that recently turned off.


    But before Abraham could keep himself in the pleasant grasp of silence, the radio operators reported the status of the Leviathan Herd.


    "Sir, Target group at 152 degrees. Distance 35,000 meters. Speed 55 knots and increasing. Depth elevated from 125 to 5." The radio operator''s words resounded throughout the Combat Information Center.


    Abraham''s eyebrows became furrowed as he clenched his fist in annoyance. Though, he calmed himself from anger and decided to tackle the issue with rationality.


    "Is the bird ready forbat?" He questioned the intelligence officer, to which the officer nodded and calmly responded to the highest ofmand.


    "The Seahawk is ready forbat, Sir."


    "Okay, have them start the first-strike protocol. However, advise them to be cautious and not get too close into the waters. They can use every ordnance equipped in the bird."


    What Abraham needed was for the Leviathan Herd to slow down. After that, the UN armada will start raining freedom warheads on these annoying giant fishes.


    "Affirmative, Sir. Rying orders to Harpoon." The radio operator handling the inboard surface-to-airmunications replied to the Fleet Admiral.


    Meanwhile, in the middle of the high seas was an MH-60R Seahawk piercing through the air with unparalleled speed. It circled around the Leviathan Herd, which could be seen treading in the waters below.


    The maritime aviation warfare officer had just received the ryed orders from the UNS Light Bringer. The Overwatch wanted them to engage with the herd and slow them down.


    Maintaining distance and caution was paramount.


    "Orders received," The officer muttered under his breath.

 Chapter 33: | 033 | Sea Hunting

    Three kilometers away from the herd of Leviathans.


    An MH-60R Seahawk, codenamed Harpoon, hovered 10 meters from the rough waters of the high seas. Below it, descended the dipping sonar system which could detect underwater targets with remarkable ease.


    "Sonar deployed!" An aviation crewman reported while looking down at the vicious tides from the confines of the interior.


    "Target group has been detected. Distance 2,800 meters and closing." The maritime aviation warfare officer muttered under his breath.


    Following his words, the crew operating the Harpoon gazed at him with anticipation. They were the trigger of the first strike operation, so it was somewhat exciting for the aviation personnel.


    The officer took a deep breath and continued with his words.


    "Mark 54 lightweight torpedo ready for deployment!" He nced at the radar system and saw the target group getting nearer by the second.


    "Locking to the leading Leviathan." Another crewman reported, signifying the signal to open fire.


    "Foxtrot, release!" The maritime aviation warfare officer released the torpedo from the anti-submarine helicopter with a single push of a button.


    As the torpedo fell from the Seahawk, itnded on the rough tides with a ssh and immediately propelled itself into the high seas.


    It headed towards the target group with ferocity and targeted the Leviathan leading the herd of sea monsters.


    The aviation personnel watched the propelling torpedo as it pierced into the waters. It only took a minute for the freedom torpedo to be half a kilometer away from the target group.


    They kept watching through the monitor screen while the radar system detected both the torpedo and the leviathan about to make contact.


    And then¡­ It happened.


    *BOOM!!!*


    An explosion resounded throughout the high waters as it erupted into damnation. A massive ssh was made and blood sttered along with it.


    "Observing results¡­" One of the crewmen reported and observed any movements from the leading Leviathan.


    "Results confirmed! Target has been engaged and terminated!" With the results of their engagement clear, the dipping sonar system was pulled from the waters.


    The Harpoon swiftly elevated its altitude for necessary precautions and immediately reported what had happened to the Overwatch.


    "Overwatch, this is Harpoon. Torpedo''s engagement was a sess. Leading leviathan has fallen." The maritime aviation warfare officer reported to the UNS Light Bringer.


    *Harpoon, sess confirmed! Effects have been recorded and the herd has loosened its eleration. Further engagements have been authorized through hellfire weapon release.*


    The next order of the Overwatch was not surprising for the aviation personnel of the Harpoon. With the Leviathans so near to the surface, it was the greatest opportunity they had before the sea monsters submerged.


    "Affirmative, Overwatch! Harpoon will further engage." The officer epted the next orders with calm.


    *Good¡­ May the United Navy be with you, Harpoon.* For some reason, the radio operator on the other side started uttering references from their old world.


    "May the United Navy be with me, Harpoon out." The maritime aviation warfare officer yed along with the reference and closed the transmission.


    After the transmission between Overwatch and Harpoon ended, the officer ryed the further engagement orders of the highmand to the aviation personnel.


    "Overwatch has ordered us to continue our engagement against the sea monsters. Our main priority will be slowing them down and buying time for the armada to prepare for the incursion."


    All of them nodded in understanding and weren''t against the new orders. Their torpedo didn''t seem too effective against the herd, so they needed to engage further.


    With the orders ryed by the officer, the pilot swiftly flew the Harpoon to the herd of Leviathans charging towards the armada of the United Navy.


    The officer watched the giant sea monsters swimming through the rough waters while pummeling through the corpse of the leading Leviathan.


    "It looks like they are determined to reach their target." The officer muttered in disappointment as it would have been better for these fishes to retreat.


    "Sir, hellfire has locked into the remaining leading Leviathans."


    An aviation personnel coolly reported to the officer. He looked at the locked sea monsters on his monitor screen with a digital square moving along with them.


    The officer looked at the aviation personnel and nodded before ordering the release of the air-to-surface missiles.


    "Open fire!" The maritime aviation warfare officer ordered with a thunderous voice. Subsequently, the aviation personnel opened fire and released the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.


    *Swooosssh!*


    *Swiiisshhh!*


    *Swuuusshh!*


    *Swiioosshh!*


    One after another, the hellfire missiles propelled themselves into the air with unparalleled eleration. They pierced through the air like a hot knife through butter and left a trail of smoke behind.


    It didn''t take long for the missiles to arrive at their destinations. What ensued were deafening explosions almost rivaling that of the torpedo eruption.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    "Locked targets hit confirmed! Verifying damages and results." Upon impact, a crewman reported to the maritime aviation warfare officer.


    "Damages verified. Results, four leading Leviathans have been disabled but not terminated. They are slowing down with a grievous wound along their body."


    Another crewman reported to the officer, and it seemed that the effects were somewhat disappointing. None of the Leviathans hit by the hellfire missiles were killed.


    They were only severely injured, but perhaps this was enough.


    "Target group distance 1,252 meters. Speed 43 knots. They are decelerating, Sir." The piece of good news was the sess of their operation. The herd of fishes finally slowed down.


    This would buy the armada enough time to prepare for the iing assault.


    "I''ll be paying for dinner once we return!" The officer smirked and nced at the pilot. "Maintain our altitude and be cautious as we don''t know much of their capabilities."


    The pilot merely nodded to the officer''s orders while the officer opened the transmission with Overwatch through themunication operator.


    *Harpoon, this is Overwatch Actual. Congrattions on your operation''s sess.*


    *You have bought the United Navy enough time.*


    Abraham''s voice escaped the confines of themunication device, making almost every crewman in the helicopter straighten their back and instinctively salute.


    "The honor is ours, Fleet Admiral. It was also because of your wisdom to initialize the mission that brought us this victory." The maritime aviation warfare officer responded with great care.


    *My involvement matters not.*


    *Harpoon will Exfil from the target group and return to Overwatch. While Exfil, the Harpoon will drop sonobuoys for increased uracy in the data link.*


    *The first-strike protocol will soon begin, so brace yourselves.* After giving them a warning, Abraham''s transmission ended.


    Silence encapsted the interiors of the Seahawk before the pilot had the helicopter evacuate from its previous location.


    If the Fleet Admiral''s words were correct, a missile barrage would strike the target group and a bloody event would unfold. They needed to get out, fast.


    "You''ve heard the Fleet Admiral, let''s drop the sonobuoys in the route of the target group!" The maritime aviation warfare officer ordered the sonobuoys to be dropped.


    Sonobuoys were small expendable sonar buoys dropped from aircraft or ships for anti-submarine warfare. They were extremely useful, especially when the data link couldn''t be used to itsplete potential.


    Without dy, the aviation personnel dropped the sonobuoys in numbers while returning back to the UNS Light Bringer.


    Gazing at the crewmen, the officer merely grinned at them and remarked.


    "Brace yourselves, men!"


    Things would be bound to be shaky in the near future.


    While the Harpoon flew back to the United Navy''s armada, flickering rms red over the Combat Information Center as things were about to get heated.


    Several intelligence officers, radio, andmunication operators were deeply concentrated in their devices and duties, monitoring the iing target group.


    "Are the tomahawks ready?" Abraham asked Captain Lux, who calmly stood beside him.


    The Tomahawk in the UNS Light Bringer was a RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile, a perfect weapon that would hammer the sea monsters into the abyssal depths of the high seas.


    "Tomahawks are ready for release, Fleet Admiral." Captain Lux nodded and responded to Abraham''s question. The middle-aged man was pleased and followed the protocol.


    "Good, armada will begin the first-strike protocol," Abraham ordered the beginning of the first-strike protocol and the rms red even louder throughout the interiors of the ship.


    It wasn''t only the UNS Light Bringer that had its rms ring. Both the UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas were also in the same state.


    "Datalink has connected with the sonobuoys. Target group has been detected with greater uracy!"


    "Designating target group. Alpha 100001, Alpha 100011, Alpha 100111, Alpha 101111, Alpha 111111, Alpha 100002, Alpha 100012, and Alpha 100112."


    With the Leviathans in the target group assigned with their own identifications, it was time for them to lock in.


    "Locking in¡­ Alpha 100001 locked, Alpha 100011 locked,Alpha 100111 locked,Alpha 101111 locked,Alpha 111111 locked,Alpha 100002 locked,Alpha 100012 locked,and Alpha 100112 locked."


    "Targets have been locked, Sir. Awaiting for weapons release." The naval personnel slowly turned their gaze and looked at the Fleet Admiral with anticipation.


    Abraham met their gaze with determination and dered the first strike of the United Navy.


    "Weapons open!"


    Following his words were the various reports of the naval personnel proceeding with the order andunching the tomahawk missiles.


    "Utching 8 VLS Door Cells, Foxes are open!" One of the naval personnel reported, and his words were followed by another calm one.


    "Tomahawks ready! Launching in 3¡­2¡­1¡­" Following the sequence of theunch was the vibration of the entirety of the UNS Light Bringer. It shook for a second before the missiles resounded like thunder.


    *SWOOOSHHH!!!* *SWIIIISSHHHH!!!* *SWUUUUSHHH!!!*


    The tomahawks propelled themselves into the heavens and pierced through the blue skies with a radiant sh. With it were the missileunches of the allied warships, UNS Guardian of the High Seas, and UNS Zarya.


    Each of them also deployed arge number of tomahawks into the iing targets.


    *SWOOOSHH!!!* *SWUUSHH!* SWIISHH!*


    Abraham could only watch the multipleunches of expensive freedom warheads with a cold expression. The price was a lot to pay. Probably reaching the number of tens of millions.


    But.


    "It''s a small price to pay for survival." He muttered under his breath, observing the monitor screens recording theunches.


    For as long as the United Navy stands in this foreign world, abhorrent prices have no heed over Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.

 Chapter 34: | 034 | Sea Brawl

    "Brace!" The maritime aviation warfare officer yelled at his crewmen as the Seahawk trembled violently from the passing freedom warheads of the United Navy''s armada.


    *SWOOOSSHH!!!* *SWIIIISSHHH!!!* *SWUUUSSHHH*


    The pilot skillfully maneuvered the helicopter and controlled it with great expertise. The Harpoon stabilized and the shaking of the helicopter ended without any troubles.


    All of them could see the trail of white smoke left behind by the barrage of tomahawk missiles. There should be over a dozen of freedom warheads in the first strike.


    The officer sighed in relief when their helicopter didn''t lose stability and fell into the ocean. It would have been embarrassing and dangerous for them.


    At any rate, with the multipleunches of the United Navy''s armada. The first-strike protocol had officially begun. Not only was the officer curious about the results, but he also wondered about the highmand''s reaction.


    Meanwhile, in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer. Abraham watched the radar ry of the missiles piercing across the distance.


    The radar signature of the Leviathans kept blinking in and out while the naval personnel in the CIC watched with anticipation.


    Sadly, however¡­ Things weren''t meant to be smooth sailing in this world.


    "Target Group 152 degrees. Distance 33,561 meters, closing in. Speed 36 knots, stable. Depth 6 and lowering." The newly arrived report made Abraham furrow his eyebrows.


    The herd of Leviathans was submerging, which wasn''t a piece of good news. After all, as the sea monsters get deeper, the tomahawk missiles would be less effective upon impact.


    Luckily, bad news wasn''t the only thing that emerged. There were also pieces of good news.


    "Foxtrot closing¡­ Distance 2,553¡­2,024¡­1,489¡­1,001¡­561¡­058¡­ Impact!" One of the radio operators reported the status of the first strike, which was a sess.


    An impact was made before the Leviathans could fully submerge themselves into the high seas.


    "Target Group Status. Alpha Track Numbers. Alpha 111111 to Alpha 100012 confirmed hit! Three hostiles sunk." Another radio operator reported to the Fleet Admiral.


    "Now, Alpha 100001 confirmed hit! Hostile sunk."


    "Alpha 100011 confirmed hit!"


    The pieces of good news kept piling up for the Fleet Admiral as several Leviathans were directly hit by the tomahawks. An impact of the missile would probably be enough to split their body into two.


    Though¡­ Not every sea monster was sessfully hit by the barrage.


    "Alpha 100111 has submerged! Strike missed."


    "Alpha 101111 failed to strike."


    "Alpha 100112 has fully submerged! Strike ineffective."


    Three Leviathans of the herd managed to escape their doom and submerged into deeper waters. When the news of their actions was reported, Abraham felt the need to eat fish for dinner.


    He wasn''t happy after the first-strike protocol failed.


    Wasting millions of dors for freedom warheads should haveplete results. But he understood that reality wasn''t as simple as the games he had yed.


    There were dozens of variables, which was why when striking a target. Any military would send more than one bomb just to be sure.


    Silence encapsted the Combat Information Center, though the rm kept ring throughout the metallic interior of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "Target group has not changed its trajectory. Distance 27,143 meters. Speed 45 knots. Depth 125 and sinking." An intelligence officer reported the ryed information of the radio operators.


    Although, it was saddening that all of the sea monsters didn''t get terminated by the first strike. Their chances of survival were greater than before as only three Leviathans were left.


    "Harpoon is on sight and is requesting fornding. Sending permission to aviation control." Amunication operator said while rying the permission order.


    "Connecting Harpoon transmission to aviation control." Anothermunication operator uttered and sent the connection to the aviation control of the UNS Light Bringer.


    *Ding!*


    While Abraham carefully listened to his naval personnel, a familiar mechanical bell rang inside his mind. He raised an eyebrow, not because of its arrival, but for itsteness.


    ''The sub mission prompt is incrediblyte.'' He thought to himself as the monotone voice of Systema resounded inside his head.


    ¡ñ| Escape(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| A Herd of Leviathan has set its sights on the United Navy sailing across the high seas. While engagement against such creatures is probable, it is the most destructive and gruesome path. The Fleet Admiral must save the fleet from inevitable doom. Because of this sub mission, the maritime security mission will be pronounce a sess after the sub mission''spletion.


    The reward for the sub mission''s sess will be 1,000 Source Points. |


    When Abraham heard and read the digital screen before him. His eyebrows furrowed as he realized something significant that Systema had indirectly dered to him.


    ''I was half expecting Systema to ask for the termination of the Herd of Leviathan. After all, despite notpletely eradicating them, we are on the path of victory.''


    ''Perhaps, there is some unknown variable I am ignorant of.'' Abraham wasn''t stupid and understood the implications of some things.


    At any rate, the more he thought about it, the more confident he became about the theory of an unexpected variable lurking in the abyss of the high seas.


    With this in mind, Abraham desired to change their strategies toplete retreat and withdraw to the Port of Dawn for resupply and repair.


    He looked at Captain Lux, who immediately noticed his gaze and humbly lowered their head.


    "Does the Fleet Admiral wish for something to be done?" Captain Lux calmly questioned while Abraham merely looked at him for a second before gazing back at the monitor screens.


    "Order the change of strategies. We mustpletely retreat. Full speed ahead, withdraw to the Port of Dawn." Abraham ordered with a serious tone.


    Captain Lux was dumbfounded by the unexpected order of the Fleet Admiral. He wondered what could have happened to their operation that forced the Fleet Admiral toplete withdrawal.


    However, despite his shock, Captain Lux followed the orders of the Fleet Admiral with unparalleled loyalty.


    "Send a transmission to the data link. The Fleet Admiral has ordered aplete withdrawal. The UN armada will be changing its routes and returning to the Port of Dawn."


    His stern words echoed throughout the Combat Information Center, which poured cold water on the anticipating naval personnel. But their excitement wasn''t out of ce.


    This was their first time fighting against a monster, so they might find themselves interested in putting Sea Monster Hunter in their resume.


    However¡­ Even though they had some resistance from theplete withdrawal order, they understood the consequences of failing to follow the issuedmands.


    At the minimum, they would be court-martialed. At worst, executed.


    So, the naval personnel swiftly followed themands of Captain Lux and sent a transmission of the order into the data link. As such, every ship would be able to hear the withdrawal orders.


    "Transmission sent!" One of themunication operators ryed, while another one followed.


    "UNS Zarya has acknowledged the orders of the Fleet Admiral."


    "UNS Guardian of the High Seas has acknowledged, Sir."


    With the confirmation of the two warships, theplete withdrawal order was undergone. The leading warship, UNS Zarya, changed its routes while the others behind it followed.


    Abraham watched through the radar system ry and noticed that one of the remaining Leviathans was directly heading toward them.


    But since the Leviathan was submerged, a lot of anti-ship or anti-surface missiles couldn''t be used. Though¡­ There were always anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes.


    "Take it out." Abraham calmly ordered and another weapon release was granted to the CIC of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "Utching torpedo tube, Fox open." One intelligence officer reported as another followed.


    "Firing Mark 54 lightweight torpedo in 3¡­2¡­1¡­"


    "Mark 54 lightweight torpedounched. Designated target, Alpha 100112."


    A torpedo wasunched from the torpedo tubes of the UNS Light Bringer. It was pushed outward and fell to the waters with a ssh before propelling towards the submerged target.


    "Foxtrot distance to target, 12,315 meters!"


    "Distance closing in! 10,154¡­7,561¡­5,111¡­2,745¡­121¡­ Impact!"


    In the radar system array, the blinking dot of both Alpha 100112 and the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo faded from the machine as though they hadn''t existed.


    Abraham calmly watched the results of the impact and saw no more issues with it. This made him sigh in relief as it would be problematic if something did happen.


    "Sir, Harpoon has been transported to the hangar deck. Operatives have been withdrawn." One of themunication operators reported the status of the Harpoon.


    Abraham nodded at the operator as the safety of his personnel was paramount in his eyes.


    "Good, have them take a res-" Before he could continue responding to themunication operator, one of the naval personnel shouted at him with bad news.


    The naval personnel was a radio operator who discovered something significant.


    "Fleet Admiral! Our active sonars have detected arge creature at the bottom of our nearby location. It has a bigger radar signature than the Leviathans we have seen!"


    The report shocked Abraham, but sadly, it was merely the beginning of what was toe.


    "Sir, look!" An intelligence officer pointed at the monitor screen recording the status of the merchant vessel.


    The waters below the Pinguis Arca got rougher as bubbles began to escape from underneath.


    "Unknown signature is elevating its depth. 250¡­164¡­100¡­45¡­12¡­ It''s on the surface!"


    *BOOM!!!*


    What followed was a reverberating explosion that echoed throughout the high seas. The merchant vessel was rammed into pieces, and a massive sea monster leaped from the rough seas.


    It resembled a Leviathan, but a lot bulkier, stronger, and had dozens more tentacles. Its appearance wasn''t the thing that amazed Abraham. It was its size.


    The length of the newly-emerged adversary was at least 250 meters in length. It was a monster amongst monsters.


    Watching the unknown Leviathan take space on the monitor screen made Abraham realize why the sub mission focused on the armada''s retreat.


    Fighting against such a massive sea monster was suicide. Especially with its distance from the small fleet. A withdrawal was probably the only option they had.


    And Abraham wasn''t against it.


    "Prepare yourselves! Concentrate on the withdrawal and don''t attract the attention of the unknown Leviathan." Captain Lux gave several orders to the naval personnel.


    He finally understood why the Fleet Admiral wished to withdraw.


    "Target Identification. Tagging¡­ Target ssified!"


    "Leviathan Alpha."

 Chapter 35: | 035 | Withdrawal

    Abraham quietly watched Leviathan Alpha fall back to the rough waters with an explosive ssh down. Despite its size, the giant sea monster was fast and agile. Some rather problematic traits for the United Navy.


    ''Nothing''s left from the Pinguis Arca.'' He thought while observing the leftover pieces of the wooden merchant ship.


    Even though it was significantly smaller than the warships of the United Navy, the fact that Leviathan Alpha could destroy it with ease disturbed him.


    "Sir, the radar signature of Leviathan Alpha has disappeared!" One of the radio operators tensely reported as the flickering big dot of the sea monster vanished.


    They were practically blind against it, which made the naval personnel in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer somewhat nervous.


    However, before they could delve deeper into the disappearance of Leviathan Alpha. Another problematic report resounded in the Combat Information Center.


    "Two iing radar signatures detected. Target group 132 degrees. Distance 2,500 meters and closing. Depth 187." The leftovers of the Leviathan Herd have arrived.


    "Target group identified! Alpha Track Number. Alpha 101111 and Alpha 100111!"


    "Fire torpedoes to target Alpha 101111 and Alpha 100111." Abraham calmly ordered while Captain Lux was busy coordinating the withdrawal of the United Navy Fleet.


    "Affirmative, Sir." An intelligence officer responded and another weapon''s release was done.


    "Utching torpedo tube, Foxes open."


    "Firing mark 54 lightweight torpedoes in 3¡­2¡­1¡­"


    "Mark 54 lightweight torpedoesunched. Designated target, Alpha 101111 and Alpha 100111." The torpedoes were released almost immediately uponmand.


    With each moment under the pressure of battle, the efficiency of the naval personnel increased.


    The torpedoes escaped the metallic confines of their torpedo tubes and dropped into the rough waters of the high seas. Upon contact with the tides, it burst into its target and sunk deeper into the ocean.


    "Foxtrots distance to the target, 1,954 meters!"


    "Distance closing in! 1,222¡­321¡­ Impact!"


    Abraham carefully observed the ongoing engagement with scrutiny, inspecting every possible movement from their adversaries.


    "Target Group Status. Alpha Track Numbers. Alpha 101111 and Alpha 100111 confirmed hit! Two hostiles sunk." The current engagement was a sess and the remains of the Leviathan Herd were defeated.


    But nheless, no one in the Combat Information Center cheered.


    The threat of Leviathan Alpha loomed over their mind as they spread their awareness into various radar arrays to find it.


    The same could also be said with their friendlies, UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    In the confines of the Combat Information Center of UNS Zarya, Vokshod was busy directing his naval personnel to find Leviathan Alpha.


    Even though they should have incredible sonar capabilities, none seemed to be able to find the gargantuan sea monster.


    Vokshod had a serious expression as he had a hard time believing the disappearance of the abomination. It was practically a moving hill, how could they not find it?


    Despite his unrelentingints, Vokshod continued to be patient and maintained his calm. He was the captain of the UNS Zarya, so he shouldn''t be panicking like a child.


    "Comrade, have any of ourpanions sent some intelligence through the data link?" Vokshod inquired as their colleagues might have discovered something about the monster.


    "Sadly none, Captain Vokshod. Ourrades are also asking for intelligence about the monster." A Russian intelligence officer responded with a saddened voice.


    "I see¡­ It looks like we aren''t the only ones blind from this abomination. I guess this sea shouldn''t be underestimated." Vokshod sighed in disappointment.


    Before, he was ted by their victory against the herd of sea monsters. But now? He can''t even cheer for what they have won because of the impending threat.


    "Maintain strict vignce. We must never let our guard down." He sternly ordered hisrades, not wanting an unfortunate fate to befall upon them because of carelessness.


    On the other hand, in the interiors of the bridge belonging to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, Captain Howard was in the same predicament as the other captains.


    Bing blinded towards an unknown and giant sea monster didn''t feel good. But no matter how much he urged his subordinates to find Leviathan Alpha, there were no signs of its existence.


    ''The UNS Guardian of the High Seas is in a problematic circumstance. We are the lowest,rgest, and least equipped warship against sea monsters.''


    ''If it was and invasion or operation, the Guardian would have been helpful. But in a sea engagement against sea monsters, it''s hard to support other ships.''


    The UNS Guardian of the High Seas was a San-Antonio ss Amphibious Transport Dock. Its main use was the support and transportation of marinepanies into highly contested zones.


    It was a warship of great capabilities as without it. A naval force wouldn''t be able to do much tond forces other than pummel them to the ground with superior firepower.


    "I hope that the United Navy can leave this sea unscathed." Captain Howard muttered in his breath while preparing himself for the worst that could happen to them.


    If they do lose, he will do everything to rescue the Fleet Admiral and evacuate him to the so-called Port of Dawn. At the very least, they wouldn''t be the fleet that would bring the highest ofmand to his death.


    But regardless of his depressing thoughts, the reality was in itselfplex. There was no use in provoking what-ifs inside one''s mind for something that hadn''t happened yet.


    To avoid a doomed fate, one must merely work hard for themselves and others around them.


    With this in mind, Captain Howard had some relief from the stress the lurking sea monster brought.


    Meanwhile, back in the UNS Light Bringer was Lace wearing her newly-acquired clothes that took some time to be adjusted because of her beastly proportions.


    Mainly, her thick dragon tail that required newbie tailors to work hard to have it excellently adjusted to her.


    Anyhow, Lace''s clothes were merely ordinary everyday modern clothes. Practically, ck shorts and a white T-shirt. If not for her ck dragon horns and tail, she would have resembled a modern model.


    "Their clothes are interesting¡­" Lace waved her thick dragon tail back and forth as the newbie tailor perfectly adjusted her shorts to fit them.


    However, as much as she wanted to enjoy looking at her beautiful and unique clothes. There was a troublesome issue she needed to solve.


    Since Abraham had saved her from bing sold to the annoying magus, it was natural to pay the favor by helping him in his troubled state.


    "For every herd of Leviathan, there is its leader. Bigger, stronger, better, and older than the rest. An Elder Leviathan."


    In all honesty, Lace hadn''t fought against such a gargantuan sea monster. A Leviathan was manageable and perhaps easy, but the same couldn''t be said with an Elder Leviathan.


    The logic of their bodies doesn''t work the same as an ordinary Leviathan.


    Besides, Lace wasn''t interested in fighting to death against such an abomination. Though¡­ As said before, she must help her savior.


    And so, Lace looked in a particr direction and walked towards it without any hesitation. She smashed through the metallic wall, leaving behind a hole leading to the main deck of the destroyer.

 Chapter 36: | 036 | The Dragoness

    In the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, a report from the naval personnel startled Abraham from his solemn state. ording to his subordinate, the dragoness had just broken out of the private cabins and got into the main deck.


    "What!? Why did she do that?" Abraham was confused as to what made Lace take destructive ways out. There were doors leading to the outside for heaven''s sake.


    "We don''t know, Sir. She simply left after getting her new clothes and is hanging in the railings of the main deck." The naval personnel who reported the situation of the dragoness were also muddled about it.


    "I see¡­ I guess I''ll have to personally confront her about it." Abraham sighed while he wondered what he had done wrong to the dragoness.


    He turned his gaze towards the white-bearded captain and ordered him to takemand of the operation.


    "Captain Lux, you''ll be takingmand for a moment. I have something important to do." Abraham''s words resounded, to which the captain swiftly responded with a salute.


    "I shall do so, Fleet Admiral. I will be waiting for your return."


    Abraham nodded in satisfaction and left the confines of the Combat Information Center. In all honesty, takingmand of a warship wasn''t his job.


    He was the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. His duty was to guide the direction where the United Navy shall go, practically a shepherd.


    He wouldn''t tell a carriage driver how to drive a carriage as the driver already knows the skill to do so, to begin with.


    The reason why he was takingmand was merely because of his inexperience. This would probably be thest time he''ll be in a warship.


    Especially when the United Navy will grow bigger than ever before and gain several fleets. His attention would be pointed at arge margin, not only to the smaller section of the sea.


    At any rate, Abraham walked through the metallic hallway of the interiors and saw the opened door leading to the main deck.


    He stepped into it and got outside of the main deck where he was met with the sea breeze ruffling his jet-ck hair and the light of the golden sun gleaming over his body.


    Abraham nced around and saw a gorgeousdy leaning amongst the railings. Although the scenery was familiar, it was a lot more differentpared to before.


    From the clothes, the stature, the atmosphere, and many more.


    "You''re troublesome, Lace." He muttered, knowing that the dragoness would be able to hear it with her vast hearing distance. Perhaps, she might have already known he wasing.


    Abraham was met with a smirk from the dragoness. He felt a vein popping up in his forehead when he saw that smirk.


    He walked towards her and sarcastically remarked to the gorgeous white-haireddy.


    "For someone who broke through a wall, you seemed awfully proud of it, Lace." His words were met with a chuckle and following response from the dragoness.


    "Oh, did I~"


    "Oh, yeah you did. Do you know how much repairing a wall costs?" Abraham questioned since repairing a broken wall would require money and time.


    "I don''t know how much it cost. But it should be nothingpared to the weapons you are throwing at the Leviathans." Lace''s counter was apt, but Abraham felt that she was instigating something from him.


    "Wait¡­ You are not implying¡­"


    "Yes, I am implying that." Before he could continue, Lace already answered his confusion.


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows after hearing her answer as he wasn''t in agreement with it. Even though she was strong, Leviathan Alpha was an abomination of a monster.


    To fight against it was foolish, especially without a proper weapon.


    "I won''t agree with it, Lace. I don''t underestimate your strength. But you just recovered from your weakened state. Fighting against an abomination like that is foolish."


    He voiced out his agreement in the sternest voice possible. He didn''t want his ally to die the moment he discovered them. That would be problematic for the middle-aged man.


    Lace didn''t seem convinced, which made Abraham want to drag thisdy to rest in her quarters. Sadly though, he would be dragged by her instead.


    "I am grateful for your worry, Abraham," Lace revealed a soothing smile that froze Abraham. Her golden irises seemed to glimmer while her slitted pupils absorbed him.


    She was a beauty, there was no doubt of that. But that wouldn''t be enough to convince him.


    "However¡­ I am a lot more different than you think."


    "It may be ironic, but despite looking more human than an ordinary beastfolk. We cardinal beast deities are actually the farthest." Lace calmly exined and turned her gaze to the horizon.


    "Not because of our power, intelligence, or anything of that matter. The reason is simple." She stopped for a moment and looked at Abraham seriously.


    "Because we weren''t humanoids to begin with."


    Just like that, Lace just dropped another bomb. Abraham felt confused for a moment, wondering what she meant by her words. Thousands of thoughts flooded his head trying to find an answer.


    "I want to pay the favor of freedom, Abraham. I am not doing this because I want to be free from your debt. My desire is only to protect my savior." Lace continued as the edges of her lips slowly rose.


    "Nevertheless, there are a lot of things you could do without fighting against that monster. You are an ally, Lace. A weakened one at that. Making you fight wouldn''t do good for the United Navy''s ethos." Abraham softly argued.


    None of the two were willing to back out from their decisions. As leaders of their respective organizations, they had their personal dignity to deal with.


    Abraham didn''t want his only ally to fight against the sea monster. Especially when she was just recovering from her recent envement and injuries.


    On the other hand, Lace was the dragoness who led as the rebel forces'' leader. She wasn''t someone who''d make an ally fight on their own, merely because she was injured.


    If she could help in some way, then she would do so.


    Even if her current state doesn''t deem it applicable.


    Besides, she was a cardinal beast deity. Her regeneration, endurance, speed, and power weren''t to be underestimated.


    "You''ll see what I mean, Abraham."


    "After all, actions speak louder than words."


    Lace slightly chuckled and slowly backed away into the railings. Abraham realized what she was doing and sprinted at her at full speed.


    However, he was already toote.


    "Lace!" Abraham reached out his arms as Lace fell into the rough waters of the high seas. His thoughts rumbled with anxiousness, thinking of what to do.


    But before he could continue his surging worry, the blue waters bubbled as a shadow emerged. His body shook while a monstrous creature slowly emerged from the high seas.


    It dwelled beside the UNS Light Bringer, a gargantuan pitch-ck serpentine dragon with golden dominating eyes. Its scales glistened along the piercing light as sea water dripped from its body.


    Abraham gazed at it with a sliver of dread, but when he looked at the dragon clearly with his jet-ck eyes. The Fleet Admiral slowly saw its familiar beauty.


    "Lace¡­"

 Chapter 37: | 037 | A Dragon All Along

    The feeling when you confront your suicidal friend as they hopped off the roof while smiling at you before disappearing and turning into a gargantuan pitch-ck serpentine dragon was a strange and unique feeling.


    It wasn''t just any serpentine dragon. It might as well be an eastern dragon with a length of 300 meters and a diameter of 20 meters.


    Abraham feltplicated, yet somewhat amazed by the intriguing circumstances he found himself in.


    To think that his dragoness friend would actually be a real dragon. It was within understandable terms that she was but a humanoid beastfolk with dragon-like traits. But to literally transform a dragon?


    It was nothing short of a fantasy.


    "You''re crazy, Lace." He smiled as though not bothered by the massive pitch-ck serpentine dragon gazing at him with its dominating golden eyes.


    ''That''s the first someone said such words to me.'' A soft voice echoed in his mind while the serpentine dragon lightly growled at the Fleet Admiral.


    At first, Abraham was surprised to hear the voice of Lace inside his mind. But it wasn''t unbelievable as she had recently be a dragon in mere seconds.


    The capabilities she had might be a lot stranger than he had previously thought.


    "Hmm. How would they act, then?" Abraham inquired with light curiosity. The bit of dread that shrouded his heart faded through the calmness of the remarkable situation.


    ''Well, it was along the lines of¡­ Crying for mercy, screaming for help, running away, or kneeling and praying for divine grace.'' Lace responded with intrigued.


    Abraham, the man who had freed her, was always strange. The way he acted was different, somewhat foreignpared to the usualmon sense of the world.


    It was a breath of fresh air, but it was also an invitation to curious thoughts regarding who he might really be and what his United Navy really was.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow after hearing Lace''s response. The expected reactions weren''t far-fetched as Abraham could already imagine it in his mind.


    Crying for mercy when cornered by a gargantuan serpentine dragon. Screaming for help, not wanting to face the force of nature alone.


    Running away, which was the smartest choice, though a useless one. And finally, praying to the serpentine dragon, giving faith and devotion.


    Practically, surrendering themselves to the force beyond theirprehension.


    "That may be because I feel a bit jealous of your ability. Transforming into a giant eastern dragon is cool and exciting. Obviously, this may be because I don''t understand the implications of bing one."


    "But to be honest, I don''t care what implications there are. The ability to be a dragon is amazing." Abraham was honest with his answers.


    "And it''s not like I didn''t fear you, at first. I just got over it when I realized that it was you all along. Besides, anyone would feel the dread of meeting a giant dragon face to face for the first time."


    One sometimes wonders whether or not the Fleet Admiral had maxed out his speech skills. For a recovering man from the realms of deviousness, he was great at his words.


    ''Abraham, you''re still hitting on me even though I''m practically a giant serpentine dragon. A fang of mine is already the size of your body.''


    ''You''re interesting¡­'' The pitch-ck eastern dragon let out a silent growl as its head levitated nearer to the Fleet Admiral.


    *Ding!*


    | I believe that the dragoness just used you of being a fur- |


    ''Shut it, Systema. I''m not one of them. And to be fair, dragons are awesome.'' Abraham felt embarrassed as the two were now condemning him of baseless usations.


    | It ain''t baseless if every moment you talk to the dragoness. You try to charm her with your maxed-out speech of eagle freedom. |


    ''What- And where did you learn that?'' He felt confused as his precious partner was starting to punch him with usation after usation even though he was innocent.


    | An unproven innocence. |


    ''Yeah, yeah¡­'' Abraham shook his head and looked at the golden and arrogant gaze of the pitch-ck eastern dragon.


    Even though it seemed like the dragon was looking down on him. Abraham couldn''t fight against the allure of regality that the dragoness unconscionably emitted.


    "That''s just how I am, Lace. And despite being a dragon, you''re as beautiful as you were before. Perhaps, a bit better." Abraham found the eastern dragon form awesome.


    He wouldn''t deny such a basic fact.


    ''I guess you haven''t changed. You''re the same as the moment I met you.''


    "Which hasn''t been that long," Abraham added, which made the pitch-ck eastern dragon chuckle.


    ''At any rate, Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. How about we n our counter-attack. The Elder Leviathan is a vengeful being. It wouldn''t leave your fleet alone, even if you don''t instigate it.''


    Lace decided to change the subject to the pressing one, which was the lurking Elder Leviathan at the bottom of the high seas.


    Abraham realized that he was so consumed with his conversation with an actual dragon that he forgot for a second about the circumstances they found themselves in.


    "Understood, let''s strategize."


    "Let''s first start with how to bring the Leviathan Alpha or Elder Leviathan out of the cradles of the abyss," Abraham uttered, to which Lace immediately replied.


    ''I''ll handle that.''


    "Okay, assuming you got the guy into the surface. We''ll assist you however we can against the fish. I''m sure you don''t want to be spoon-fed of your deserved victory, correct?"


    With the existence of a gargantuan eastern dragon, he was confident in fighting against Leviathan Alpha. After all, what''s better than having a monster brawl in the middle of the seas.


    ''It looks like you understand me very much, Abraham. I don''t really try to fight against Leviathans as I have no reason to do so, but that doesn''t mean I''m weaker than them.''


    Lace stated with unmatched arrogance, befitting the dragoness.


    It made the devious side of Abraham imagine him being stepped on and insulted by the dragoness. However, such devious thought was quickly thrown away into the void of his mind.


    Where it will never be heard of ever again.


    "That sounds convincing." Abraham nodded in understanding and remarked.


    ''I shall haul the Elder Leviathan to the surface then. I''ll be up in a moment, Abraham.''


    ''Take care.'' Her soft and enticing voice sounded out in his mind.


    Abraham swiftly got out of his trance and saw the pitch-ck eastern dragon grinning at him, showing off its silver fangs that were the size of the middle-aged man.


    It then turned its massive head to the rough waters and quickly slithered towards the tides. It plunged into the ocean and swam inside of it with an unmatched speed.


    A brawl between two monsters was about to begin.


    "Captain Lux, you can get out now," Abraham muttered after some time of staring into the vicious seas. Behind him were several Marines emerging from the metallic doorway.


    With them was the captain of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux. From his expression, he appeared to be extremely worried.


    But Abraham didn''t have an interest in exining much for now. Instead, what he needed to do first was keep his promise and prepare the armada for the battle.

 Chapter 38: | 038 | The Fleet Admirals Dilemma

    In the metallic hallway of the UNS Light Bringer''s interior were Captain Lux and 2nd Lieutenant Campbell walking beside one another. Behind the two was a group of Marines, and in front of them was their highest ofmand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    "So you''re telling me that the Fleet Admiral is trying to charm that gargantuan eastern dragon?" Captain Lux quietly muttered to the blond-haired 2nd Lieutenant.


    "Well¡­ Technically, when we found her first. She was merely a gorgeousdy with dragon traits like her jet-ck horns and tail. None of us knew that she could be an actual dragon."


    2nd Lieutenant Campbell stated since they were ignorant of her true form. But ignorance wasn''t the same word they could corrte to their Fleet Admiral.


    This eludes that their highest ofmand might have been knowledgeable about her true form as an actual pitch-ck eastern dragon.


    "I guess the Fleet Admiral knows no bounds. Even a real dragon wouldn''t be far from his grasp." For some reason though, Captain Lux was amazed.


    In his eyes, a dragoness was the perfect spouse of their Fleet Admiral. It fits perfectly with the United Navy, and it would make their highest ofmand''s lineage grander.


    "That is to be expected from the Fleet Admiral. He''s beyond human understanding. His goals are outside of our capacity to conjure. A dragon for a spouse might be the very most understandable of his ns."


    2nd Lieutenant Campbell was skilled in the art of yapping. He uttered such words without a tinge of embarrassment. He even was proud of it, as though he stated a fact.


    "I wonder when we''ll hear news about the Fleet Admiral''s children-" Before Captain Lux could continue babbling his weird dreams, Abraham who walked in front of them stopped taking a step forward.


    He slowly turned his gaze towards the ones behind him and they swiftly avoided his gaze, acting like nothing just urred.


    "You do understand that I am in front of you, correct? And I can hear you clearly with my own ears." Abraham strictly muttered while his subordinates kept avoiding his gaze.


    After some time, he sighed and continued walking towards the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer.


    He didn''t know what had happened. But his reputation was at rock bottom. He only thought of dragons as cool. Why were his subordinates starting to pair him with Lace?


    *Ding!*


    | That''s because you''re a furr- |


    ''As I said before, I''m not.'' Abraham denied the usation, and out of nowhere, Systema retracted her statement.


    | It appears that I was wrong. |


    The middle-aged man felt hope upon hearing such monotone words. The dream of regaining his respected reputation dawned.


    But then, it was washed away by the biblical flood from Systema''s following words.


    | The correct term would be a scal- |


    ''No¡­ And what are you trying to say, Systema?'' Abraham raised an eyebrow as his partner has been annoying him since the emergence of Lace.


    | Fleet Admiral, do you understand the world you are in? |


    Systema asked a strange question to the middle-aged man, making him confused. What did she mean by it, or what was she trying to say?


    ''I don''t understand, Systema. What do you mean by understanding this world?'' Abraham inquired, wanting to know more about the intention behind her question.


    | From the parameters set by what is fantasy. Through giant animals, sea monsters, magic, medieval ships, and many more signatures. We can conclude that this is a fantasy world. |


    ''And? What does this fantasy world have to do with the United Navy or me?'' Abraham asked as he became more dumbfounded by what his precious partner was saying.


    | You are close-minded, Fleet Admiral. A fantasy world signifies the existence of monster girls. Whether it''d be cat girls, wolf girls, fox girls, mermaids, harpies, and perhaps demon girls. |


    The middle-aged man felt enlightenment through the cultured words of his partner. His abandoned dreams long lost to time resurfaced inside his mind.


    ''However, I''m not interested in going on a harem spree, Systema. I might not look or appear like it, but I''m a monogamous guy.'' Abraham dered his personal views.


    | ¡­ |


    | Impossible... |


    ''What do you mean impossible? Do you think every man only wants to f*ck? We also want to have a happy marriage and a loving wife who cares of us.'' Abraham felt a bit vexed.


    Every guy wants to be happy in their lives. It was as simple as that.


    Besides, while a harem might be intriguing at first nce, Abraham doubted that he would be able to handle more women in his life. One already needed your whole attention. What about two or more of them?


    It would be the death of him.


    | I see¡­ You''re much of a better man than I had previously thought, Fleet Admiral. You have grown. |


    For some reason, Abraham felt like being praised by a single mom who realized that her troublesome son had finally grown up into a respectable adult.


    He immediately shook his head and decided to ignore the strange feeling. At the moment, he must tackle the problem before him.


    Abraham and his entourage entered the Combat Information Center. Every naval personnel looked at the Fleet Admiral with a piercing gaze.


    After all, they saw him talking with a gargantuan eastern dragon as though they were close friends. Obviously, they would be curious.


    "Attention!" Captain Lux shouted, gaining the eyes of others. The old white-bearded man straightened his back and announced.


    "The Fleet Admiral has something to say, so listen carefully." With his words resounding throughout the Combat Information Center, the naval personnel were ordered to listen.


    Seeing that most of his subordinates were ready to hear him, Abraham slightly coughed and looked at his naval personnel with the sternest expression he could conjure.


    "We are here to change our battle ns to act in the uing events. Our strategies will change once again as we have gained the assistance of an important ally."


    "The United Navy will be bringing the fight to the sea monster. And along with our eastern dragon friend, we will prevail from these precarious circumstances and achieveplete victory."


    "So, prepare for battle!" The current strategy of the United Navy was entirely overturned. They would be now fighting against the sea monster without thoughts of retreat.


    The naval personnel in the CIC straightened their backs and saluted to the Fleet Admiral at the same time. It was quite a sight to see and the previous embarrassment of Abraham faded.


    "Okay, let''s start." Abraham nodded in satisfaction and dered. The naval personnel swiftly returned to their positions and assumed their respective duties.


    The news about the change of strategies was also sent to the data link along with some information regarding the eastern dragon, who would be their ally.


    Their tactics are arranged in a maneuver that would support the eastern dragon in her brawl against the Elder Leviathan.


    Abraham watched his subordinates prepare for the uing monster brawl, and the report he expected had finally emerged.


    "Sir, two big radar signatures are rising from the bottom of the seas. They are heading to the surface fast." One of the radio operators reported.


    Abraham only grinned upon hearing the news and muttered.


    "Let the monster brawl begin."

 Chapter 39: | 039 | Eastern Dragon Versus Elder Leviathan

    Combat Information Center, UNS Light Bringer.


    "Designating radar targets. Alpha Target: Leviathan Alpha. Bravo Target: Whiskey Dragon. Designation Confirmed, sending intel to the data link." An intelligence officer reported.


    "Target designation sent. Data link confirmed." Another one followed.


    "Target Leviathan Alpha. Distance 2,000 meters. Depth 2,556 and rapidly rising. Speed 45 knots. Commencing torpedo strike operation?" A naval personnel calmly inquired.


    "Negative, operation armaments are air-to-surface missiles and turret batteries. Await for Leviathan Alpha to resurface before ordered striking." Abraham struck down the naval personnel''s question.


    "Maintain a distance of 2 clicks from the targets. We will be using precision strikes against Leviathan Alpha. Avoid attacking or harming Whiskey Dragon."


    He uttered an order, to which his naval personnel responded with a nod. This battle would be intricate as it would beparable to them shooting one guy while it brawls their ally.


    "Affirmative, orders sent to the data link. Bridge has also been ryed with the orders." Amunication operator disclosed while navigating through theplex equipment of the CIC.


    Time then passed by for the naval personnel inside the Combat Information Center. Most of them were concentrated on their duties, awaiting the official start of the battle operation.


    "Target Leviathan Alpha. Current status¡­ Distance 1,950 meters. Depth 1,431 and rising. Speed 42 knots." The intelligence officer sent another report.


    "Give me the status of Whiskey Dragon." Abraham inquired since he wanted to know the current situation of Lace.


    "Target Whiskey Dragon. Status¡­ Distance 1,915 meters. Depth 952 and swiftly rising. Speed 50 knots. It seems to maintain an appropriate distance between itself and Leviathan Alpha, Sir."


    One of the naval personnel answered and reported the situation to the Fleet Admiral. Abraham nodded in satisfaction as he wouldn''t want something bad to happen to his dragoness.


    "Estimated time of arrival?" He asked as his patience was barely holding out as a lot of things had urred on his first day on the maritime security mission.


    "ETA 3 minutes, Fleet Admiral." An intelligence officer humbly responded.


    "Good, prepare for their arrival to the surface." Abraham took a deep breath and watched the monitor screens rying the status of the oceanic depths below them.


    Seconds went by as the middle-aged man saw the two blinking dots get closer to them and the surface.


    "Maintain linear formation, and prepare for our turret battery. I want them pointed at our target." Abraham sternly ordered and his naval personnel immediatelyplied.


    "Turret batteries from UNS Light Bringer, UNS Zarya, UNS Guardian of the High Seas, pointing to 123 degrees." One of the intelligence officers reported.


    "Seahawk is armed, Fleet Admiral. Do you want them to be up in the air?" Hismunication operator ryed and asked for theirunch.


    "Clear the airspace. The battle will be difficult and hazardous. I don''t want to have my bird sink into the depths of the high seas." Abraham shook his head and rejected.


    Their uing monster brawl would make it hard for a helicopter to maintain its support. It might even be destroyed as coteral damage from the fight.


    "Understood, sending rejection to the hangar deck." Themunication operator who asked for the bird''sunch didn''t have that much opinion and sent the rejection into the hangar.


    "Sir! Target Whiskey Dragon is on the surface!"


    *BAMMM!!!*


    The rough waters erupted into oceanic mist as a pitch-ck eastern dragon escaped from its vicious grasp. The dragon slithered into the heavens and roared towards the sea.


    *ROAR!!!*


    *BAMM!!!*


    What responded to its thunderous roar was the Elder Leviathanunching itself from the deep water and into the heavens, trying to chomp the dragon in half.


    But the eastern dragon easily dodged its assault and bit its tentacle instead.


    *SCREEECHH!!!*


    An echoing cry resounded throughout the heavens and earth. Sadly for the Elder Leviathan, it didn''t end there.


    "Turret Batteries, Fire!" Following such orders from the Fleet Admiral, the 5-inch turrets of the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya immediately followed afterward.


    *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!*


    Various shells exploded from the side of the Elder Leviathan causing its fleshy bits to be charred. It red at the armada and returned to the rough waters.


    However, instead of trying to square up against the eastern dragon for a second bout. The Elder Leviathan changed its course and target.


    It was swimming towards the United Navy''s armada.


    "Prepare for 10 tomahawkunches!" Abraham ordered with his grim voice. The naval personnel inside the Combat Information Center swiftly prepared for the missileunch.


    "Locking into Leviathan Alpha."


    "Leviathan Alpha Locked! Awaiting for weapons'' release." With the confirmation of his naval personnel, the Fleet Admiral ordered theirunch.


    "Fry the fish!" Through Abraham''s order, the tomahawks were free forunch. The naval personnel swiftly facilitated theunch, which didn''t take more than ten seconds.


    "10 VLS Door Cells Utched, Foxes are open!" One of the weapon officers ryed, and after his ry was a stimted voice from a partner naval personnel.


    "Tomahawks ready! Launching in 3¡­2¡­1¡­"


    Apanying theunch sequence was the juddering of the entirety of the UNS Light Bringer. It quivered for a moment before the tomahawk missiles reverberated like thunderps.


    *SWOOSHHH!!!* *SWIIISSHHHH!!!* *SWUUUSHHH!!!*


    The tomahawk missiles thrust forward, deserving of their titles as freedom warheads. White smoke shrouded the deck upon theirunch as they pierced through the sky and headed down to the iing Elder Leviathan.


    It wasn''t only the UNS Light Bringer thatunched its barrage of tomahawk missiles. The UNS Zarya and UNS Guardian of the High Seas also followed the attack order.


    *SWIIISHHH!!!**SWOOOOSSSHHH!!!* *SWUUSHH!!!*


    The tomahawks pierced through the azure skies with gleaming lights. It didn''t take a second for them to crash down into their target, bringing about deafening explosions.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    They reverberated throughout the high seas and the heavens above it. The radiant lights brought about by the explosions overshone the sun''s light for a moment.


    *SCREEEEECCHHH!!!*


    A piercing screech followed the explosions as the Alpha Leviathan turned away from the armada, fearing another barrage of tomahawk missiles.


    Unfortunately for the Elder Leviathan, though¡­ The eastern dragon behind it wasn''t finished.


    After the deafening explosions caused by the United Navy, the golden and dominating eyes of the pitch-ck eastern dragon dawned upon the Elder Leviathan.


    Without any hesitation or dy, it swooped into the rough waters and bit into the sea monster''s head with its sharp fangs.


    *SCREECCH-* Before the Elder Leviathan could continue screeching, it was forced into the water while the eastern dragon bit deeper into its head.


    It swam wildly from its pain and tried to shake the eastern dragon off from its fishy body. But the eastern dragon was proven to be a good hunter as it never freed its prey from its fangs.


    "Sir, the Leviathan Alpha is heavily injured from the tomahawk barrage." An intelligence officer calmly reported the Elder Leviathan''s status.


    Its defeat served a greater purpose for the United Navy since it would make them a bit more confident in treading the rough waters of the high seas.


    "Good, maintain distance from the target and assist Whiskey Dragon if the situation requires it," Abraham responded with a nod and gave another order to his naval personnel.

 Chapter 40: | 040 | Elder Leviathan Critical Stage

    Somewhere in the high seas was the United Navy Armada and a pitch-ck eastern dragon engaging against a lone Elder Leviathan who had its herd blown up into bits by UN freedom warheads.


    The small fleet of warships belonging to the United Navy maintained a linear formation and distance from the brawling monsters.


    After all, none would desire to be part of the coteral damage brought about by the monster brawl.


    From the looks of it, the naval force double-teaming against the sea monster was winning the vicious shes.


    Dozens of injuries shrouded the Elder Leviathan''s body as its tough hide could neither resist the firepower nor biting strength of the United Navy Armada and eastern dragon.


    It kept screeching from the unbearable pain it found itself in and wanted to escape. But there was no way the United Navy would let it escape.


    With the amount of taxpayer money spent on dealing with this fish. At the very least, they wanted to kill it so that it wouldn''t bother them ever again.


    Precautionary measures were always a predominant part of the United Navy''s logos. It was better for the problem to not be a problem than to wait for it to be an issue.


    It was simple logic.


    Through this thought process, the moment the Elder Leviathan dared to show its back to the United Navy. 5-inch shells from the warships'' naval guns would blow its back into damnation.


    Afterward, the eastern dragon would bite its neck and try to tear as much flesh as possible from the Elder Leviathan, bringing about a spill of dark blue blood into the ocean.


    The Elder Leviathan was severely injured and cornered by forces it couldn''t clearlyprehend. What it thought to be its prey would soon be its executioner.


    Obviously, it didn''t want to meet its end after living for centuries on the high seas. But there was nothing it could do as it was alone, surrounded by its adversaries.


    Its herd of Leviathans that it had cultivated for a century was blown into bits and sunk into the depths of the high seas in mere seconds by strange radiant exploding birds.


    How such birds could sacrifice themselves and die in an explosive manner was a question that it couldn''t answer.


    Nevertheless, what mattered wasn''t its curiosities and wonders, but its survival. It needed to escape the circumstances it found itself.


    And to do so, it must do everything it can to fight against the adversaries that dared to corner it. Even if it does die, it must take its enemies with it.


    Quite an ironic and interesting logic as it was the same thoughts that the ones that called for it had before their untimely sacrifice and deaths.


    A question does arise, however. How can it escape from this situation or perhaps take out its opponents? Well, one mustn''t underestimate the capabilities of a cornered beast.


    There was a reason why it survived for centuries.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    In the interiors of the Combat Information Center residing inside the UNS Light Bringer, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd watched the monster brawl with deep interest.


    He observed it through the monitor screen and saw the Elder Leviathan being slowly defeated by thebined force of the United Navy''s Armada and the dragoness.


    Sadly though¡­ Things in this world were never meant to sail smoothly.


    "Sir, a high-frequency spike is detected. It''s currently rising at an elerated pace." One of the radio operators reported with an anxious voice.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, wondering what the radio operator meant about the high-frequency spike.


    "Fleet Admiral, ourmunication and radars will be hit hard." An intelligence officer rified, which made Abraham realize the seriousness of the situation.


    "Send out to the data link."


    "Provide maximum firepower support. Communications will be down for a mom-" Before Abraham could continue uttering his orders, a thunderous explosion resounded.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The UNS Light Bringer and its armada shook from the potent force of the explosion. Their metallic walls and decks trembled for a few seconds before calming down.


    "Give me a report!" Abraham sternlymanded, wanting to know the current situation.


    "Status report, Sir. The Elder Leviathan just unleashed a high-concentrated energy wave. And¡­" The intelligence officer seemed hesitant to continue.


    But the middle-aged man didn''t have time for hesitation.


    "And what? Tell me."


    "None of our sophisticated systems are properly working. The radar array ispletely down andmunication got knocked out. But that isn''t¡­ The most problematic thing, Sir."


    "The UNS Light Bringer, Our ship¡­ It''s rising from the sea." Thest words of the intelligence officer shocked Abraham.


    How the hell would a several thousand-ton warship levitate from the seas?


    "Sir, Leviathan Alpha is exuding a high-voltage electrostatic field. It''s slowly growing¡­" One of the naval personnel ryed and pointed at the somewhat static monitor screen.


    "Sh*t!" Noticing the current state of the Elder Leviathan, Abraham felt that they got unknowingly hit by the second stage of a sea monster boss.


    "Fire our naval gun and get our missiles up in the air, don''t let the fish continue! Otherwise, we will be fried!" Abraham deafeningly ordered with his heart rapidly beating.


    The naval personnel immediately started moving for a counter-engagement. However, they were slowly losing their bnce as the warship was steadily tilting backward.


    If this continues, even if they defeat the Elder Leviathan, they''ll probably sink from their current problematic position.


    Meanwhile, in the high seas was the Elder Leviathan, levitating with a thick field of electrostatic energy surrounding it. Its dozens of eyes glowed as though it was a deity descending from the skies.


    The capabilities of a cornered beast weren''t to be underestimated.


    Lace watched the circumstances of her allies and opponent with a dominating gaze. She quietly slithered behind the Elder Leviathan, who had concentrated its attention on the armada of warships.


    The eastern dragon calmly bid her time, and her patience was rewarded with glee.


    Another barrage of missiles escaped the confines of the warships. They propelled themselves into the air and pierced through the heavens.


    *Swoooshhh!* *Swiiishhhh!* *Swuuuushhh!*


    The naval guns of the warships also followed the barrage with suppressive fire pointed towards the Elder Leviathan.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    In an instant, the Elder Leviathan''s electrostatic suppression field was met with explosions. Unfortunately, however, some missiles had their guiding systemspletely broken by the field and they sadly sank into the vicious tides.


    But the 5-inch shells of naval guns had proven themselves to be effective as they pierced through the electrostatic suppression field and impacted the head of the Elder Leviathan.


    *SCREECHHH!!!*


    It cried out in pain of course, but Lace wasn''t willing to let such an opportunity go. So, without any hesitation or dy, she hastened and attacked the Elder Leviathan from the back.


    *ROAR!!!*


    She bit its head with her sharp fangs and tried to slither around its body, trying to constrict the body of the sea monster.


    Though¡­ It wasn''t without its problems. Lace felt the sharp pain, rivaling that of a thousand ants biting across her body.


    The electrostatic suppression field of the Elder Leviathan was trying to fry her into crisps and turn her into a fried lizard. Lace could only grit her teeth and hope that she could kill the Elder Leviathan before it could cook her.

 Chapter 41: | 041 | Monster Brawl Climax

    "Fire! Fire everything we got! Support Whiskey Dragon! If she gets defeated, this armada will be at the bottom of the sea!" Abraham yelled at his naval personnel while anxiously watching Lace getting tortured by the electrostatic field.


    Shards of her jet-ck scales broke off bit by bit. If this continues, her flesh will get fried by the high-voltage electrostatic field brought about by the Elder Leviathan.


    "All tomahawks are clear! Permission for weapons free!" One of the naval personnel ryed and requested the Fleet Admiral.


    With no questions, hesitations, or dy, Abraham epted the request as there was no need to feel bad about the millions of dors spent if they were using it to stay alive.


    "Get that fish!" Abraham ordered and the naval personnel surrounding him nodded at the same time. Their efficiency was rapid as their actions didn''t waste a second.


    "Utching 20 VLS Door Cells, Foxes are open!" They were throwing every anti-surface missile they had in stock within the verticalunching system toward the Elder Leviathan.


    If that didn''t work, then they''ll use everything they got, from torpedoes, anti-submarine missiles, and anti-air missiles.


    "Tomahawks ready! Launching in 3¡­2¡­1¡­" In mere seconds, theunch sequence was already initiated. Both the time of the United Navy Armada and the Elder Leviathan were running out.


    The first one to die would be the loser.


    With the missileunch, the UNS Light Bringer trembled from the power of 20 tomahawksunching themselves into the heavens one after another. It was as though they were met with an earthquake in the warship.


    Thunderous echoes of the tomahawks'' propents resounded throughout the UNS Light Bringer. As if thousands of fireworks were exploding simultaneously around them.


    *SWOOOOOSHHH!!!* *SWIIIIIIIISSHHHH!!!* *SWUUUUUUUUSHHH!!!*


    *SWIIIIISSHHHH!!!*


    *SWUUSHHH!!!*


    *SWOOOOOOOOSSSSHHH!!!*


    Brilliant lights escaped the confines of the UNS Light Bringer as they pierced through the air and roared like savage dragons who were about to tear their prey apart.


    UNS Zarya also fired half of its kalibr stockpiles which numbered about 24 missiles. It was quite a scene since twinkling stars emerged from the frigate and propelled themselves like awakening monsters.


    The UNS Guardian of the High Seas wasn''t nning to watch the situation without doing anything. It fired its bushmaster guns and ESSMs inrge quantities.


    Obviously, the United Navy wasn''t holding back its firepower. All of these missiles were pointed at one location of the Elder Leviathan. And it was its head.


    Dozens upon dozens of missiles pierced through the air like homing daggers. They glided above the seas and through the heavens like hypersonic birds.


    In mere seconds, the missiles arrived before the electrostatic field created by the Elder Leviathan. Dozens of them exploded upon contact, but the shock waves brought by the explosions caused a hole to emerge in the electrostatic field.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    It was the perfect opportunity.


    As such, numerous tomahawks and kalibrs punctured through the hole of the electrostatic field and directly impacted the Elder Leviathan''s head.


    What followed was tens of gleaming lights rivaling that of the sun. They even outshone its sunlight as though they were falling stars sinking from the skies.


    Abraham watched everything through the monitor screen with his heart rapidly beating. Anxiety grasped his mind as he saw a thick cloud of smoke covering the Elder Leviathan''s head.


    Along with the smoke was also the iing shock wave brought about by the explosions.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The UNS Light Bringer shook with a magnitude stronger than before. Some devices and electrical circuits were affected by the sts and the waves also caused the floating warship to tilt sideward.


    It was at this moment that the Fleet Admiral realized the full scale of the United Navy''s firepower. There was no need to use or even desire to acquire nuclear capabilities.


    With such firepower akin to an exploding volcano, they had little to no rivals.


    "Sir, the electrostatic field is causing the frontal explosion topress. This might be the reason for the higher than usual yield of the missiles." An intelligence officer reported.


    "Will the back be affected?" Abraham inquired as it would be problematic if they injured their allied eastern dragon.


    "Well¡­ Since the explosions werepressed in the front of the Elder Leviathan''s head. There should be little to no burns to the eastern dragon. The only problem is¡­"


    Once again, the intelligence officer hesitated, making Abraham furrow his eyebrows.


    "The shock wave brought about by the explosions would turn organs into puddles." The words of the intelligence officer shocked the middle-aged man.


    But before he could react to it, another report came in from his naval personnel.


    "Fleet Admiral, electrostatic field is losing its high-voltage energy yield. We have won!" The announcement caused the naval personnel in the UNS Light Bringer to cheer.


    "YEAH!"


    "FREEDOM BABY!"


    "I LOVE DEMOCRACY!"


    Their reactions were interesting, but Abraham didn''t have his mind or heart celebrating their victory.


    The UNS Light Bringer quivered for a moment before slowly falling back to the rough waters of the high seas. When theirnding was confirmed. Abraham didn''t hesitate anymore.


    "Is the Seahawk still on the flight deck?" He questioned a nearby intelligence officer.


    "Yes, Sir. But the aviation personnel are trying to load it back to the hangar deck." The intelligence officer softly responded as the gaze of the Fleet Admiral was cold.


    "Tell them to get the bird up in the air," Abraham ordered as he watched the fog of smoke clearing up on the monitor screen.


    He squinted his gaze as he saw a shadowy figure falling into the vicious tides. He clenched his fist and looked at his naval personnel.


    "Prepare a rescue team."


    Hearing the stern words of their Fleet Admiral,the naval personnel in the Combat Information Center understood that this wasn''t the time to be celebrating.


    There were many things to be done, and one of them was rescuing their important ally.


    "Affirmative, Sir! Sending orders to the aviation control." One of themunication operators immediately sent the orders to the aviation control.


    Then, a reply was received from the aviation control.


    "Sir, the aviation control has epted your orders. ording to their report, the Seahawk will be up in the air in less than a minute along with its rescue personnel."


    This was a piece of good news as the less time the dragoness spent in the sea, the better. So, Abraham nodded in satisfaction and gave another order.


    "Good, get Lace to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas. The medical quarters there should be capable of handling severe injuries or life-threatening problems."


    Meanwhile, in the rough waters of the high seas,rge pieces of flesh left behind by the Elder Leviathan floated along the vicious tides. With them was a figure, who almost got hit by the firepower of the United Navy.


    Lace felt pain throughout her body as her consciousness was barely holding on to her senses. Time seemed fast yet slow in her mind. The radiant sun also appeared to blur her perception.


    But soon, a shadow covered its entirety.


    The burst of pping sounds escaping the propellers echoed in her ears while she felt her body being carried up into the air.


    And so, the monster brawl ended¡­ Strangely and unexpectedly.

 Chapter 42: | 042 | Smug Dragoness

    Bluish crackling light shrouded everything as the crimson red bloomed with radiance before her sight. What followed was unending pain and suffocation. She couldn''t breathe properly for some reason, and then¡­ She cked out.


    In the medical quarters of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, a white-haireddy awoke her slumber from fright. Her heart rapidly beat as dread enraptured itself in her chest.


    Upon her awakening, the piercing lighting from the ceiling blinded her. The white walls of the medical quarters didn''t help, but the soft andfortable bed did calm her for a bit.


    "Lace, are you okay?" She heard the familiar voice of her friend, which echoed inside her ears and mind. Everything seemed disoriented and unsteady for the dragoness.


    "A-Abraham¡­ Is that you?" Lace weakly and softly muttered from her supple lips. What had happened to her was the second worst thing she had experienced in her life.


    "It''s me, Lace. You are safe now. We defeated the so-called Elder Leviathan." Abraham tenderly revealed their victory against the gargantuan sea monster.


    "Defeated the Elder Leviathan, huh. I don''t feel good despite this victory of ours." Lace weakly remarked, making Abraham wryly smile.


    "I-¡­ It was my fault, Lace. I ordered my subordinates to unleash everything we had against the Elder Leviathan. I won''t excuse myself for what I have done."


    "I deeply apologize." Abraham bowed towards theying white-haired dragoness who smiled meekly at the middle-aged man.


    "If not for the fact that I consider you as my friend, I would have thrown you to the wall for blowing your bombs on my face." She remarked while holding Abraham''s arm tightly.


    Hearing the words of the gorgeous white-haireddy, the middle-aged man nervously smiled while trying to de-escte the situation.


    "Yeah, yeah¡­ I''ll consider this as a favor. I owe you one for making sure that the Elder Leviathan stayed put." Abraham anxiously chuckled.


    The Fleet Admiral''s nervous chuckle steered the ample feeling of domination creeping into thedy''s heart. She opened her eyelids, revealing her golden-colored irises glowing with a neon hue.


    "You owe me a favor, Abraham. I hope you won''t forget that."


    While she wanted to aid her savior against the gargantuan sea monster, Elder Leviathan, the situation of getting blown up was beyond that.


    "I won''t forget the debt, Lace. Without you, the armada would have probably been picked off one by one by the sea monster." Abraham straightened his back and looked back at the dragoness with his jet-ck eyes.


    He wasn''t ignorant of the situation. He knew that Lace was one of the primary equations that was needed for their victory.


    Without her bringing up the Elder Leviathan to the surface and pinning it into one location, it would have been extremely problematic for the United Navy.


    Lace smiled at the serious response of Abraham and slowly stood up from herfortable and soft bed. She stretched her arms upward while yawning.


    Abraham looked at her with an astonished gaze. He was undoubtedly confused as he previously thought that the dragoness was severely injured.


    Lace stepped out of the medical bed and stood beside the confused Abraham with a smirk. She patted the middle-aged man''s shoulders and calmly exined.


    "I am a dragon."


    Such simple yet baffling words made the Fleet Admiral perplexed. But he shook his head and decided to throwmon sense away. After all, he was dealing with a cool dragon.


    "So, were you pretending to be weak during our conversation?" Abraham raised an eyebrow while Lace merely kept her teasing grin.


    "Maybe¡­ Or maybe not." Lace smugly taunted and was about to step outside through the metallic wall. But before she could walk a few feet away, she felt a hand on her shoulder.


    "You''re not thinking of going through that wall, right?" Abraham sternly questioned while Lace nced at him and the wall she was about to break through.


    "Hmm, perhaps I was nni-" Before the dragoness could continue, Abraham drilled his knuckles into her pale temples, making the gorgeous white-haireddy grunt in pain.


    "Argh! Stop it, Abraham! I was joking." The dragoness tried to resist, but Abraham merely dodged her iing arms and continued grinding her temples.


    "You smug dragoness. You think you can just keep teasing me." Abraham was grinning as though enjoying the suffering the white-haired dragoness went through.


    "I promise I will¡­" Lace apologized prompting Abraham to release her from the grinding session between his knuckles.


    "Do it again." But the arrogant dragoness wasn''t someone that would back down from suffering. Abraham furrowed his eyebrows and was about to start the grinding session once again.


    However, the gorgeous white-haireddy already left the confines of the medical quarters in an instant.


    "She''s fast at escaping." He muttered under his breath before a smirk emerged on his face. It was the first time he had fun for quite some time.


    And it was the best feeling that he had, especially after the recent troublesome situation they found themselves in.


    Abraham shook his head and decided to wipe that smirk off his face. It was intriguing, but somewhat strange for a middle-aged man like him to act like a child of some sort.


    *Ding!*


    | For a former loser and gamer, are you sure you weren''t already experienced in acting like a child? |


    Out of nowhere, the familiar mechanical bell rang inside his mind and the sarcastic yet monotone remarks of his precious partner echoed inside his mind.


    ''Why did you have to interrupt my internal monologue, Systema? Besides, acting like an idiot in public and ying a game in private ispletely different from one another.''


    Abraham thought while getting out of the medical quarters. He walked through the familiar metallic hallway and soon arrived on the flight deck where several dozens of naval personnel surrounded a white-haired figure in the middle.


    They appeared to be asking tons of questions about Lace and her eastern dragon form. Not only that, but they also inquired about her rtionship with the Fleet Admiral.


    While Lace answered the first questions to the best of her ability, the rtionship query was responded to with a mere smile from the dragoness.


    When Abraham arrived at the flight deck, the naval personnel immediately dispersed themselves. The middle-aged man walked through the flight deck and met with the dazed dragoness.


    "Must be hard trying to answer their questions." Abraham calmlymented to the tranced Lace. She seemed to be watching the clean-up process that the United Navy was operating.


    "It wasn''t that bad, though I feel that some of my image has been tarnished," Lace stated while cing her pale arms on her hips.


    "I feel the same." Abraham''s reply was short and clear. His reputation wasn''t good after being considered as someone who was trying to woo a dragon.


    "Oh, the Fleet Admiral cares for his reputation?" Lace smirked while Abraham gazed at her and chuckled. "Well, it''s thest thing I care about on my list."


    "The safety of those important around me is the first. Their happiness follows, though I consider the importance of these two as equals." Abraham''s priorities weren''t primarily about himself.


    It was always all about those around him. Those who cared for him. For they were the ones to make the world warmer for someone like him, naturally, he would treasure them the most.


    "I see¡­ You''re a lot better than me, Abraham." Lace expressed with a tinge of destion.

 Chapter 43: | 043 | Aftermath Cleansing Operation

    "I don''t really consider myself as better than anyone else." Abraham softly smiled while gazing at the seemingly saddened dragoness. Perhaps her past was hindering her future, and maybe he could help her from it.


    He understood being lost. Not knowing where you should go or where you should end up in this long yet short life. It wasn''t until he was transmigrated after his death that Abraham found his calling.


    And he didn''t want his friend to die to find hers.


    "Even I sometimes doubt my choices, whether they''ll be the best for me or for those around me. But regardless of their results, I can only learn from them and move forward."


    "You know¡­ There are no bad choices in this world. One you might perceive as a bad choice might be a good one to the other. It all depends on the situation you find yourself in. And whether such a choice benefits you or not."


    "Let me ask you a question, Lace." Abraham stepped nearer to the dazed dragoness who looked at him with her golden irises akin to beautiful gems.


    "Did you choose the best option for yourself? Emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally? Was it for something you believe in?" It was a simple and hard question. Aplex yet straightforward one.


    The golden irises of Lace glimmered with radiance. Abraham''s words seemed to give her some enlightenment about herself.


    "It was the best, Abraham¡­ Even if I went back in time, I would have done it again." Lace responded to Abraham''s questioning words with a soft smile.


    "Then, there''s no need to think much about it. What you did was for the best of yourself. It might be selfish, but that doesn''t matter. You control your life, and it isn''t for others to decide."


    "There might be responsibilities and consequences to your choices. But you can tackle them knowing that you at the very least chose with your freedom."


    "Others face consequences brought by the choices they picked through the thoughts of others. And who could they me? The others who urged them? Or themselves for not having the courage to face responsibility."


    "Regardless, there''s no need to be saddened over your choice, Lace. For they make us who we are."


    Abraham stopped speaking as he might have gone too overly emotional with his short speech about choice and freedom. They were practically heading out of the topic.


    "At any rate, be confident, Lace. Regrets only make us bitter about what had already happened." He gently patted the white-haireddy''s shoulders.


    "I see¡­ You''re quite correct, Abraham. A dragon regretting their choice would be aughing stock of the century." She lightly chuckled while turning her eyes to the warships cleaning up the mess of the Elder Leviathan''s corpse.


    "But it does make me wonder, Abraham¡­ Why are you cleaning up the sea?" Lace was a bit curious about Abraham''s reasoning for the current undergoing operation.


    "Well, it''s not thatplicated. The Elder Leviathan''s body is a hazard to the sea and ourselves. Just to make sure nothing unexpected happens, we try to clean up our mess."


    Abraham remembered many kaiju movies where former monsters get resurrected from the leftovers of their corpses. He didn''t want some vengeful sea monster trying to eat the United Navy in the future.


    "Besides, we are curious about how the flesh of this gargantuan sea monster works. Maybe there''ll be some breakthrough in our scientific and biological research department."


    How sea monsters work was always a topic in Abraham''s mind. Theirposition was important to study as it might give them some idea about how such massive weights could support themselves.


    "That makes sense. I do sometimes wonder how something heavy could swim in the water." Lace remarked, making Abraham raise an eyebrow at her.


    "Why are you looking at me like that?" She questioned as she was confused why Abraham was giving her the stare of judgment. Had she done something wrong?


    "You have a gal to say that despite being a giant eastern dragon that could fly in the skies with ease," Abraham uttered with a tone of astonishment.


    "What''s wrong with that?" Lace looked at him as if he was an idiot for saying such words to her. This made the middle-aged man doubt himself.


    Were giant flying creatures natural in this world?


    "Hahahaha, what''s that face, Abraham? I can''t believe you." Lace chuckled while barely containing her tears from dripping out of her eyes.


    Her chuckles echoing inside his mind made Abraham realize that he might have been tricked or perhaps bamboozled by the dragoness.


    But before he could grind her head with his knuckles, Captain Lux stepped forward with a report at hand. He interrupted the two from their conversation with calm.


    "Sir, the cleansing operation is near itspletion. As per the order, the Ospreys sent to transport various vital parts of the Elder Leviathan are currently returning to the Port of Dawn."


    "Remaining vital parts will either be carried by the UNS Guardian of the High Seas or destroyed into damnation for zero contamination." Captain Lux''s report was concise.


    Abraham nodded in understanding and thought about the report inside his head. The Ospreys, which was their only long-range transportation aircraft, was the primary part of the cleansing operation.


    Because of their high load capacity and long-distance transport, they were the best aircraft for the job.


    As to why they were directly sent to the Port of Dawn, it was merely because the UNS Guardian of the High Seas had no space to spare for the corpse parts of the Elder Leviathan.


    "Thank you for the report, Captain Lux. Have you notified the Port of Dawn about the iing transport of biological hazards ?" Abraham inquired.


    Not telling the Port of Dawn that something might be heading their way was a recipe for disaster.


    "I have already sent them a transmission about the iing Ospreys. However, they did have a lot of questions about why the maritime security mission ended early and how we got Ospreys under ourmand."


    Abraham chuckled for a bit after hearing about the questions the Port of Dawn had about him and the United Navy Armada. Well, it was understandable.


    It would be somewhat strange if the fleet you sent to scout nearby sea regions returned inrger numbers.


    "We''ll exin what happened once we return," Abraham stated which made Captain Lux nod in agreement.


    "Abraham, do you feel something?" Lace gave a strange question to Abraham. He raised his eyebrows wondering what the dragoness meant, only for her to point in one direction.


    "What are you trying to point at?" Abraham questioned as the gorgeous white-haireddy was pointing at the interiors of the USN Guardian of the High Seas.


    Meanwhile, Captain Lux nced at what Lace was pointing at before realizing something important. He furrowed his eyebrows andmented to the two.


    "Has the cargo area interested Lady Lace?"


    Understanding that the dragoness was pointing at the cargo area, Abraham had the same question in mind.


    Lace merely looked at them with her golden eyes before answering with an interested tone.


    "I feel something calling for me in that direction,"


    Abraham nced at Captain Lux with a gaze of wanting to know what was in the cargo area.


    "Hmm¡­ That''s the ce where we are keeping some of the remains of the Elder Leviathan." Captain Lux remarked as the two stared at the old-white bearded old man at the same time.

 Chapter 44: | 044 | Elder Hearth

    Deep inside the UNS Guardian of the High Seas was a small cargo area containing various hazardous biological materials taken from the corpse of the Elder Leviathan.


    Throughout this small cargo area were several naval personnel wearing precautionary hazmat suits, gloves, and gas masks. They seemed to be tasked with documenting the biohazards.


    While they were efficiently and quietly documenting the biohazards of the Elder Leviathan, a white-haireddy unexpectedly entered the cargo area without any protection.


    "Miss, you can''t enter this area without protection. Please follow our safety rules." One of the naval personnel conducting the documentation stopped the dragoness.


    Lace turned her gaze at the naval personnel with her irises gleaming in radiant gold. But she calmed herself down and nodded in understanding.


    Although she didn''t understand what they were saying, they seemed to be implying her outfit''sck of protection.


    On the other hand, Captain Lux and Abraham had hurriedly arrived since the dragoness just stormed off the flight deck for no reason and disappeared quickly from their eyes.


    "Lace, why are you in a hurry?" Abraham questioned while looking at the white-haireddy and the piece of biological hazard she was staring at.


    "I feel some strange energy emanating from that flesh, Abraham. It feels a bit enticing, like cooked beef." Lace calmly answered while putting on her own bio-protection suit.


    Abraham nced at the biological hazard that was considered cooked beef by Lace. It did look like cooked beef, but there was no way anyone would be eating it without any precautions.


    "Don''t tell me you''re nning to eat it." Abraham sternly inquired to the dragoness. Luckily, she shook her head and responded in rejection.


    "I obviously don''t consider it as food of some sort, Abraham. I''m not someone who eats anything for no reason." Lace sounded a bit offended from being treated like a gluttonous beast.


    "That doesn''t give me confidence at all." Abraham quietly remarked though it was clearly heard by the dragoness who found it offending and lightly stomped his foot.


    "I don''t appreciate that, Abraham. Nheless, wait here for a moment and watch. I''ll try to investigate that smell." Lace seriously uttered and left to discover where the strange feeling wasing from.


    ''She didn''t even wait for my answer.'' Abraham sighed and waited for the dragoness at the entrance of the small cargo area. He observed her from afar as she got nearer to the biohazard.


    Lace walked closer to the piece of flesh that radiated the strange feeling. As she got closer to it, the stronger the feeling became.


    It felt as though it was directlying from her blood. As if her bloodline was tempting her to get closer to the flesh for some reason.


    With each step, the dragoness got closer. As she stood before it, she slowly tried opening up the biohazard with her gloved-covered hands.


    The documenting naval personnel merely observed her from others. The same could be said with Captain Lux, who was watching with interest in his eyes.


    Most of them were wondering what the dragoness was trying to do and what was actually inside the piece of flesh.


    Lace separated the flesh bit by bit and slowly noticed a hard object in its depths. It took some time to hold it clearly, but it was at this moment that she realized it was rather tiny.


    Perhaps, at the size of a small marble.


    The dragoness pulled the tiny object from the biohazard left behind by the Elder Leviathan. With her strength, she easily took it out from the flesh and finally, it was for the world to see.


    She was right about its size. The only difference was that it was an actual marble. A gorgeous marble that seemed to be brimming with azure-like shifting substances.


    Lace examined the beautiful marble under the pinch of her pale fingers with a scrutinizing gaze. After peering at it for quite a while, she finally had some understanding about what it may be.


    "What do you think is it, Lace?" Abraham calmly asked with curiosity all over his face. His interest was understandable as he wondered what the peerless marble might be able to do.


    "Hmm¡­ It''s hard to say, but I believe that this is thepressed mana essence of the Elder Leviathan. I don''t really see such things in other Leviathans, so it might be centuries worth of mana concentrated into one."


    "After all, just because the Elder Leviathan died, doesn''t mean that all of its contained mana would dissipate with time. Most of it mightpress into one object while some would dissipate with the body."


    Lace calmly exined, making Abraham nod in understanding. Although he had a hard time understanding what some of her words meant, the middle-aged man understood the concept.


    "That marble must be a powerful artifact," Abraham remarked, which made Lace grin and smugly express.


    "Correct, those bastard magi would probably be wasting their wealth for this marble." An artifact containing centuries worth of mana essence would cause chaos in the market.


    "What do you want to do with it?" Abraham calmly inquired and his questioning words did nothing but make Lace''s grin even wider.


    "Naturally, I''ll eat it." Lace confidently dered since this was a particrly rare artifact even for the dragoness.


    Abraham sighed at first before lightly smiling at the words that escaped thedy''s supple lips.


    Though... Inside his mind, he nned to converse with Systema about the subject.


    ''Can I eat that, Systema?'' The Fleet Admiral asked. What followed him was the familiar mechanical bell ringing inside his mind and the monotone voice of his precious partner.


    *Ding!*


    | You can eat the Elder Hearth, Fleet Admiral. Its effects would be internal implosion. |


    Systema''s words were straightforward. Abraham would practically explode if he dared to eat the marble in Systema''s fingers.


    Abraham felt disappointed after hearing the answer, but he wanted to know why he would explode. Fortunately, the following response of Systema answered his questions.


    | The physique of the Fleet Admiral does not have the ability to efficiently and safely absorb the Elder Hearth. If the Fleet Admiral does so, it would be akin to a demon core being eaten by a normal man. |


    When Systema spoke about the demon core, Abraham felt chills inside his spine. A demon core was practically a plutonium core. A ball of extreme hazard.


    Theparison practically destroyed the middle-aged man''s regrets about the so-called Elder Hearth.


    ''But will Lace be able to handle it?'' Abraham asked as he didn''t want his friend to eat something that rivaled a demon core.


    | Lace is part of the Cardinal Beast Deities. Her physique is the apex of what could be done with natural biology. She won''t die from eating it. |


    | Perhaps, she can evolve into something greater through the consumption of the Elder Hearth. |


    He nodded after hearing the exnation of his precious partner inside his mind. With the confirmation of his partner, he decided to not stop the dragoness from eating the ball of death.


    Lace calmly took off her gas mask and slowly ced the gorgeous marble, or the Elder Hearth, on her tongue. She closed her eyelids and gulped down the Elder Hearth in one swoop.


    Seconds passed by and everyone around her watched with scrutiny. But with time, she opened her eyes and felt nothing had changed.


    She turned her gaze to Abraham with a prideful smirk.


    But before Lace could utter a word brimmed with smugness, blood dripped from her lips and she fell to the metallic floor with a thud.

 Chapter 45: | 045 | Draconic Evolution

    "Systema, I trusted your words and this is the result of it?" Abraham silently muttered in anger as his thoughts were right about the marble being too dangerous for consumption. After all, if it wasparable to a nuclear demon core, why should anyone eat it?


    A familiar mechanical bell chimed inside his mind and the monotone response of Systema followed.


    *Ding!*


    | I only confirmed that Lace wouldn''t die from consumption, Fleet Admiral. I didn''t say that the Elder Heart had no effects on the one that consumed it. |


    | Even if Lace has the physique of the eastern dragon, the centuries worth of mana essence contained in that little marble would have been too much for her body to safely consume. |


    | But, as said before, she wouldn''t die from it. |


    Systema''s response was annoyingly concise. Abraham could only sigh since he couldn''t conjure a hard counter against his precious partner.


    He defeatedly sat back to his chair in the medical quarters, a room he hadn''t left too long ago before returning back with the same patient.


    Abraham watched Lace in deep slumber, wondering how she might evolve after eating that marble of implosive death. After all, Systema did say that the dragoness might possibly advance leap and bounds from her biological constraints.


    Or in short, evolution.


    ''Will her eastern dragon form be bigger? Perhaps, she can now breathe fire.'' Abraham had various thoughts inside his head regarding the evolution of Lace.


    Before he could continue thinking about how she might end up, he felt something strange in the air. His skin seemed to tingle as static seemed to shroud his nearby surroundings.


    It was then, that Abraham realized that the electrostatic wasing from the dragoness herself. With seconds passing by, it was bing stronger in voltage.


    Naturally, the middle-aged man backed away for safety and observed the transforming electrostatic field with scrutiny.


    Such a scene was something he would usually see on television, so it was hard to not get enamored by it.


    *BBZZzzzzz!* Bbbbzzzzzzttt!* *BBBBZzzzz!*


    The crackling echoes of the electrostatic snapping across the medical quarters reverberated in Abraham''s ears. It was at this moment that he understood that it was time to back off.


    Otherwise, he would get electrocuted by the growing electrostatic field of the dragoness.


    ''This dragoness is a troublemaker.'' Abraham clicked his tongue in annoyance and closed the door to the medical quarters.


    In the fringes of the medical quarter''s door, he could see the electrostatics'' radiance flickering in and out of existence. Along with it was a strange humming of the rumbling electric.


    Abraham calmly waited for what was happening in the medical quarters to calm down. Some naval personnel wondered what he was doing outside of it, but they quickly moved one after he exined the troublesome dragoness inside it.


    After a minute, the situation inside had returned to its tranquil state. The rumble of electrostatics had long disappeared, and danger didn''t seem to tirelessly flutter.


    Upon the obvious signs of calming, Abraham opened the door of the medical quarters and saw the scorch marks left by high-voltage electrostatics scattered throughout the ivory walls.


    The price of repair resounded in his mind, and he promised in his heart that the dragoness would go through the most torturous grinding session she''d ever go through.


    Though¡­ Speaking of the dragoness, Lace was now awake from her deep slumber. She stood silently in the interiors, gazing at her pale hand that was emitting electric shes.


    "Abraham, look." She uttered with amazement while controlling electricity like a conductor in a beautiful orchestra.


    Abraham merely watched in astonishment as the eastern dragon became capable of controlling electricity. He was a bit proud, to be honest.


    ''When will I get my buff?'' The middle-aged man thought to himself and entered the medical quarters casually.


    "You''re an electric dragon, now," Abrahammented while looking at electricity shrouding her as though she was a storm cloud of some sort.


    The edges of Lace''s lips rose as she smugly remarked.


    "More like a thunder dragon, hehehe~" Even a dragon wants to be a cooler dragon. Lace felt the growth of strength and became a bit more confident than before.


    "Yeah, yeah¡­ Oh, great thunder dragon, what is your guidance." Abraham sarcastically expressed with a tinge of mock amazement.


    "There''s no need to be a killjoy, Abraham. I''ll let you ride me if we have time." Lace pouted and confidently said while pointing her thumb at herself.


    The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow after hearing the words of the dragoness. Hearing someone say that they were willing to let you ride them was strange.


    "Where can I even ride you? I doubt I''ll be able to stick to your body without slipping." Abraham shook his head as he didn''t want to die.


    Though¡­ Honestly, riding a dragon did sound cool. But he would only do so with ample protection. He wasn''t stupid to ride it without anything that could save him if he ever fell from it.


    "There''s no need to worry, I''ll make sure you won''t slip off my body," Lace smirked, appearing more smug than ever before.


    Abraham remembered that he nned to grind this dragon''s head to damnation and he was nning to do so at this very moment.


    However, before he could act to his desires, Captain Howard coughed while watching them from the door of the medical quarters.


    Abraham looked at him with raised eyebrows and questioned.


    "Captain Howard, how long have you been staying there?"


    His questioning words resounded in Captain Howard''s ears. Despite being more aloof than the other captains, Howard felt that he must tread this situation carefully.


    "I just recently got here, Fleet Admiral."


    Captain Howard responded with some determination. Abraham didn''t look away from the captain and merely squinted his eyes.


    "You haven''t heard much from our conversation, correct?" The Fleet Admiral calmly inquired and the captain rapidly nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, sir! I haven''t heard or understood anything from the medical quarters."


    "Good," Abraham nodded in satisfaction and continued. "Anyhow, what brings you here, Captain Howard? Is there something that you need to report?"


    Captain Howard remembered the report he was about to give to the Fleet Admiral and immediately straightened his back with the following salute.


    "Fleet Admiral, the cleansing operation has beenpleted. The armada will be routed to the Port of Dawn." With Howard''s report, Abraham sighed in relief.


    Things were finally returning back to their calm. Through his relief, the mechanical bell rang inside his mind and the monotone report of Systema came after.


    *Ding!*


    ¡ñ| Escape(Sea Surveince Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Escape Completion Requirements(Completed) |


    ?| Three UN Warships Saved(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    Abraham saw and heard thepletion of thest sub mission in the maritime-security mission.


    | Unexpected reports have emerged¡­ Hostile: Elder Leviathan, has been promptly defeated. Secret Achievement Acquired. Allocating rewards¡­ |


    ¡ñ| Sea Surveince(Maritime Security Mission) |


    ?| Sea Surveince Requirements(Due to Unexpected Circumstance, the requirements has been deemedpleted) |


    ?| Maritime security route earnestly followed, three sub-missionspleted, and one secret achievement acquired(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Maritime Security Mission Status(Completed) |


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd! You havepleted the first Mission dered by the Naval Gacha System Apparatus, Systema! |


    He was bombarded with various notification reports from Systema, but he wasn''t bothered by it. Especially when most of them were good news and primarily speaking about his rewards.


    Abraham couldn''t help but get a bit excited about it. After all, there was no way he would go through all that for nothing.


    | Rewards will be given promptly in 3¡­2¡­1¡­ |

 Chapter 46: | 046 | Maritime Security Mission Reward

    In the medical quarters of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, Abraham watched several digital windows materialize before his eyes and end with the long-awaited reward panel of the maritime security mission.


    | You have obtained 1,000 Naval Points(Maritime Security Mission Rewards), 1,000 Naval Points(Escape Rewards), and 1x Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship(Secret Achievement Reward). |


    | Total Current umted Naval Points: 2,000 Naval Points! |


    "Hmm¡­ As expected, 2,000 Naval Points, huh." Abraham silently muttered under his breath while staring at the reward panel with scrutiny.


    But as he read deeper into the digital panel, he realized something important was written in it. It was the emergence of the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship.


    ''What-'' The middle-aged man found himself in disbelief as he couldn''t believe what he was seeing before his eyes. It felt like a dream, a little bit too good to be true.


    ''Am I bing mad because of the umting stress?'' Abraham wondered to himself if it was possible that what he was seeing before him was merely a hallucination.


    Something that his mind wanted to see.


    Before Abraham could ponder about the state of his sanity, the familiar mechanical bell of his precious partner rang inside his mind. What followed it was her monotone voice.


    *Ding!*


    | You aren''t falling into madness, Fleet Admiral. What you see before you is the truth presented by the Naval Gacha System. It is the reward for achieving the unforeseeable. |


    The monotone words of Systema awoke the middle-aged man from his trance state. It seems that the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship was real.


    ''So, it''s real. But what does it mean, Systema? Can you exin more about it?'' Abraham inquired, wanting to know more about his unique reward.


    | It has been deemed that the Fleet Admiral would be given a personalized ship as a reward for his secret achievement. The Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship was chosen. |


    | As the Fleet Admiral is the curious type, he must be wondering what a personalized ship means. |


    ''You''re correct, I was curious about it when you spoke of it.'' Abraham nodded in agreement since Systema wasn''t wrong about his curiosity about the personalized ship concept.


    | The personalized ship is a crewed ship summoned by the Naval Gacha Systema. Its difference from other summoned warships is the simple fact that it has no captainmanding it. |


    | Practically, a leaderless vessel. |


    | In simpler terms, it can be considered a directly controlled ship of the Fleet Admiral as it has nomanding officers. |


    ''I see what you mean. You''re implying that I am practically themanding officer of the ship. That''s the reason why it''s considered a personalized ship.''


    Abraham nodded in understanding as he grasped the concept of what Systema was trying to inform him.


    | Correct, the Fleet Admiral hasplete control over its crew and they have a higher than usual degree of loyaltypared to the ordinary naval personnel. |


    | These kinds of summoned warships are rather rare, especially with the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship dangling between the actual and concept warships. |


    ''Wait, I''m a bit confused. What do you mean by concept? Doesn''t the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship already exist? It isn''t a concept in my knowledge.''


    Abraham was a bit baffled by what Systema had said about the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship being a concept of some sort.


    | You are half correct and half wrong, Fleet Admiral. The Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship was a naval project that was never entirelypleted by the USN. |


    | What can be summoned by the Fleet Admiral is thepleted version of the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship. Far from its real counterpart, and closer to the concept version. |


    With the exnation of Systema about the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship, Abraham understood the difference between what he expected and what was toe.


    ''It might be a lot more powerful than expected. But I guess this works well for me.'' The edges of his lips rose as he imagined himselfmanding the vessel.


    The Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship might not have the ranges of a destroyer. But it sure does pack a lot of punch in its 16-inch guns.


    Any direction pointed by them freedom guns would probably be blown apart into damnation.


    "Abraham, you sure are grinning like a child. It seems that I''m not the only one that got something from the Elder Leviathan." Lace noticed the obvious changes in Abraham''s expressions.


    Abraham got out of his thoughtful conversation with Systema and noticed the dragoness smirking at him. Perhaps, his expressions were too obvious.


    "Well, I just got a gift from a certain someone." He uttered while maintaining the stupid smile on his face. It was hard not to get excited, especially when he was about to summon a battleship.


    It might look older than other warships, but it was the beast of the sea. It might as well be every man''s wet dream. Being able tomand such a warship was nothing short of an honor.


    Speaking of the battleship, Abraham turned his gaze towards Captain Howard. He immediately ordered the captain to notify the surrounding friendlies of a warship''s emergence.


    "Captain Howard, send out a notification to the data link about the arrival of a battleship in our armada. Make sure to not engage our reinforcements."


    Hearing the stern words of the Fleet Admiral, Captain Howard calmly nodded and followed the orders. He stepped out of the medical quarters, leaving the dragoness and the middle-aged man alone.


    "From what I can see, it must be massive and cool-looking." Lace calmlymented as if guessing the flooding thoughts inside Abraham''s head.


    "After all, you do like cool-looking giant dragons, right?" The white-haireddy''s teasing tone was prating through the aloof defenses of the Fleet Admiral.


    "But, it does make me wonder, Abraham. Where might this gift being from?" She squinted her eyes and stepped closer to Abraham.


    Her scent could be smelt clearly, and it was akin to a flowery scent. It makes one wonder if this kind of scent naturally emanated from her body.


    "What matters is not the origin of my gift." Abraham dodged her questioning with a smile and walked towards the door of the medical quarters.


    Arriving in front of it, he looked back at the curious dragoness and uttered.


    "Follow me, Lace. You''ll see the gift I got."


    Without any hesitation or dy, Lace followed Abraham as he walked through the hallway and entered the flight deck of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas once again.


    Several reverberating sounds of propellers pping the air echoed into her ears as the sea breeze ruffled strands of her silver-white hair.


    The piercing sunlight gleamed over her body while the sshing waves resounded throughout the flight deck.


    Lace saw Abraham standing beside the railings and headed towards him with brimming interest. As she got nearer to him, she noticed the Fleet Admiral staring into the distance.


    When she followed his gaze, she saw a behemoth of a warship bigger than anything she had seen before. It was long and bulky, d with thick armor and massive turrets.


    The dragoness finally understood where the excitement of the Fleet Admiral wasing from. As expected, men were as simple as she thought.


    Nheless, she was amazed by the size and the overpowering aura emanated from the ship. But what surprised her the most was Abraham''s following words.


    "That''s my ship, Lace."

 Chapter 47: | 047 | UNS Trinity of Solace

    ¡ñ| UNS Trinity of Sce |


    ?| The UNS Trinity of Sce is a Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship of the Fast Battleship designation. It is an entirely refurbished and modernized battleship of the old era outfitted with thetest radar technology and the updated Aegisbat system. |


    ?| As such, the battleship is capable of Anti-Air Warfare(AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare(ASuW). It haspletely overhauled its old designs and is entirely reced with modern effective systems. |


    ?| The Trinity of Sce has a gargantuan discement of 60,000 long tons with a length of 270 meters and a beam of 33 meters high. With its Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactor, the Modernized Battleship can reach up to speeds of 35 knots. |


    ?| Its currentplement is about 690 officers and enlisted personnel, primarily because of its modernization program which equipped its three 16-inch naval guns with fully automated loading systems and smart guided shells. |


    ?| The modernized battleship also carries four MQ-8B Fire Scouts for the provision of long-range reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support, and precision targeting support for grown air and sea forces. |


    ?| The main armament of the modernized battleship are its three 16-inch Mark 8 Naval Guns withplete auto loading capacity and Mk 41 Vertical-Launching System(VLS) between its middle section and stern. It also has a supportingplement of two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers and four 20mm Phnx CIWS |


    ?| Its extra armaments also ranged from four RGM-84 Harpoon Launchers, eight BGM-109 Tomahawk Launchers, one 20mm Thales Seahawk Sigma, and eight Otobreda 127mm/54 Compact Naval Guns armed with long ranged guided Vulcano ammunition. |


    ?| The Trinity of Sce is the prided ship of its navy. A symbol of power, wealth, and dominance over the seas. Let it be the starting point for climbing to the pinnacle. |


    Reading through the long description of the Modernized Iowa-ss Battleship, or UNS Trinity of Sce, spanning across several digital windows, was a weird and exhrating experience. It was as though your lottery win was described before your eyes.


    Abraham sat in his luxurious chair in silence as he dazed into the supposed g of the United Navy adorned on his office''s wall. It was beautiful, to say the least.


    The g of the United Navy was akin to the united nation''s g of his former world.


    The only difference was that it was navy blue in color instead of light and the global decor residing in the g''s center was reced with an anchor signifying the United Navy.


    Abraham never thought about the United Navy''s g since the creation of the naval organization. The reason was that it was hard to design an interesting g with a meaning.


    Luckily, he didn''t have to waste his time thinking about what may look good as their g. With the United Navy''s g before him, it painted a clearer picture of what they were as a naval force.


    ''Nheless, this massive warship is brimming with weaponry.'' The UNS Trinity of Sce had several dozens of armaments scattered throughout its deck.


    It was almost crowded with defensive arsenals, which could only be used as an offensive at the moment because the battleship had little to no modern forces to fight against.


    ''And a nuclear reactor at that? Although, only one unlike the aircraft carriers, it still is quite something to be equipped with a reactor.'' Abraham thought while reading the nuclear reactor part of the description once again.


    However, even though it was amazing in terms of weaponry, power, defense, endurance, and speed. He understood that it wasn''t invincible and must not treat it as such.


    "Nothing is invincible, every vessel that considered themselves as such always found themselves at the bottom of the seas," Abraham muttered under his breath.


    He understood that he must keep his confidence at grasp so as to not escte it into arrogance.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    Someone knocked on his door, turning Abraham''s attention towards them. He raised an eyebrow before calmly uttering to the visitor.


    "Come in." With his words, the door to his office opened. Beyond it was the white-haireddy, or the dragoness Lace, the smug ally of the United Navy.


    Her appearance was a bit better than before as she was wearing an officer uniform of the United Navy. Although Abraham didn''t know if it was allowed or not, Captain Howard seemed to be open to the idea.


    So, at the moment, Lace wore a navy blue officer uniform of the United Navy. It seemed to be tightly wrapped around her body, enriching her already enticing figure.


    But this officer wasn''t easily worn as it needed to be modified to conform to her jet-ck dragon tail. It took some time, but the same naval personnel that altered Lace''s first clothes easily modified the naval officer''s uniform.


    "You seem to be enjoying that uniform, Lace," Abraham smirked at the dragoness, who was grinning at him. Lace only winked at him and stepped closer to his desk.


    "Your subordinates sure are skilled, Fleet Admiral," Lace remarked while leaning over the middle-aged man''s desk. Her ck stockingsid bare for the eyes to see.


    "That is natural, of course."


    "Did you enjoy touring my ship?" Abraham nced at her stocking-d tights for a moment before looking away and changing the subject.


    "Well, it was enjoyable to explore this massive metallic warship of yours. Your subordinates seemed fond of exining how many weapons it has."


    Lace muttered while her golden irises stared directly at Abraham''s face. This warship, or the UNS Trinity of Sce, it was called, was a monstrous behemoth.


    Armored into damnation, crowded with dozens of weapons, and powered to the brim by the so-called reactor. With such a ship, it wouldn''t take long before the United Navy dominated this region of the Ferus Sea.


    "Consider them as excited," Abraham responded with a smile. He wasn''t bothered by the excitement portrayed by his subordinates. It waspletely understandable.


    Even he himself was excited about the battleship, how couldn''t they?


    Lace merely stared at Abraham and didn''t continue the conversation they had. Her golden irises seemed to glow, but before they could fully gleam, someone knocked on the door.


    The dragoness obviously felt interrupted, but she could only sigh and stand beside Abraham with a straightened back.


    Even though she wasn''t a subordinate of Abraham, most of his subordinates consider her as his personal trump card. It wasn''t hard to realize why such a misunderstanding urred.


    She wasn''t as dense as the middle-aged man in front of her. She would admit that they were too close, but she didn''t consider it a problem.


    However, as the United Navy and Abraham had treated her well since the beginning. She didn''t find it problematic to be considered a trump card of the Fleet Admiral.


    "Get in." Abraham was surprised at first by Lace''s action, but he quickly threw it out of his mind. After he uttered such words, the front door of his office opened once again.


    Behind it was an important naval personnel under his ranks. It was his direct subordinate, practically only below him. And perhaps the highest ranking of his officers.


    It was the Executive Officer of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Vice Admiral Charlotte.


    Lace squinted her eyes, critically observing the Executive Officer. And thetter did the same. Their gaze seemed to sh with one another.

 Chapter 48: | 048 | Vice Admiral Charlotte

    In front of the Fleet Admiral''s desk, Vice Admiral Charlotte stepped forward and gave the respected salute of the highest ofmand of the United Navy. Her grayish eyes peered at the middle-aged man before she calmly introduced herself as per protocol.


    "Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd, Vice Admiral Charlotte reporting." Her soothing voice escaped her supple lips.


    Charlotte''s beauty wasn''t to be underestimated. Although it didn''t rival that of Lace''s, it was still a realm on its own. Her silver-shaded blond hair and somewhat curved yet leaned body seemed to promote one another well.


    There was also her natural aloof expression and her empty grayish irises. It makes it hard to read, and perhaps that was among her greatest qualities.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, wondering what the Executive Officer of his ship might need from him.


    "Is there something you need, Vice Admiral Charlotte?" He inquired while gazing at the eyes of the Vice Admiral in front of him.


    "I am reporting the current route of the armada, Sir." Charlotte aloofly responded, making the Fleet Admiral nod in understanding as to let her continue.


    "We are about 100 kilometers from the Port of Dawn and are getting nearer by the minute. We have connected amunication transmission with the port and are sending intelligence to theirmand."


    "ording to their reports, the research personnel have already started investigating the biohazard of the Elder Leviathan. They have also reached 90% of the highwaywork''spletion."


    Charlotte''s report was short and concise. She seemed to be an efficient secretary, which made Abraham wonder if he should get one to lower his workload.


    After all, handling everything about the United Navy would be too much for a middle-aged man like him.


    At any rate, Abraham nodded upon hearing Charlotte''s report andmented.


    "It''s good that the highway is almostplete. We need the oil field to be up and ready for our future endeavors."


    "The Fleet Admiral is right. Supplies are what we need the most at the moment. As our fleet grows in numbers, so does the logistics that support it." Charlotte softly remarked.


    "Thank you for your report, Charlotte. But before you go, you seem to have something to say. Are you curious about the Elder Leviathan?" Despite the clear aloofness disyed by the Vice Admiral, curiosity was a hard thing to cover.


    "As expected of the Fleet Admiral. You are correct, I am curious about the so-called Elder Leviathan. To think that a 250-meter gargantuan sea monster exists in the sea."


    The recent arrival of the UNS Trinity of Sce made them unable to participate in the engagement of the United Navy''s Armada and the Elder Leviathan.


    Quite arge battle that would be written in the annals of history, and the UNS Trinity of Sce was nowhere to be found in that battle. It was a bit disappointing for the Vice Admiral.


    "I also heard of an ally participating in that battle, an eastern dragon that''s a bit longer than the gargantuan sea monster. I heard from the captains that it was massive."


    Charlotte also spoke about the eastern dragon. While doing so, her gaze seemed to linger on Lace. The dragoness only squinted her eyes and maintained her indifference.


    Abraham wasn''t dense and could feel some imaginary lightning crackling between the two. These two just met, and why do they act like mortal enemies.


    "Ehem, it is unfortunate that the UNS Trinity of Sce couldn''t participate in the monster brawl. It would have been an intriguing sight for its armament to be unleashed."


    The middle-aged man asserted which made the Vice Admiral nod in agreement. The firepower kept within the UNS Trinity of Sce was something to be used.


    Not kept forever without seeing the light of day.


    "I''m a bit curious about this eastern dragon. I''d like to talk to them someday. The captains seemed hesitant in giving me information about her." Charlotte tilted her head and continued.


    "They said that the Fleet Admiral must authorize them to do so."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the words of the Vice Admiral. He never ordered Lace''s identity to be a secret. But thinking about it clearly, he understood the reasons.


    Lace was overpowered. As an ally of the United Navy, she was practically their trump card.


    However, despite understanding the simple reason of wanting to hide your most powerful card, Abraham never considered her as a trump card of some sort.


    So, Abraham only nced at Lace with a smile on his face. She wasn''t a weapon for him or anyone to use.


    "There''s no need for my authorization to learn of Lace''s identity. She isn''t mine and no one controls her. Tell the captains to cease such efforts." Abraham remarked and ordered.


    "I shall see to it, Fleet Admiral. If my instincts are right, then she must be the legendary eastern dragon." Charlotte also smiled and stared at the white-haired dragoness.


    "Well, it''s not like she''s really hiding it." Abraham lightly chuckled as the jet-ck tail and horns of the dragoness were practically out for the world to see.


    Charlotte stepped closer to the white-haired dragoness and shook hands with Lace.


    "I''m Charlotte, pleasant to work with you." The Vice Admiral calmly uttered and stepped back. Lace only felt confused as she didn''t understand what Charlotte had said.


    "She''s introducing herself to you, Lace. Her name is Charlotte, and she''s d to work with you." Abraham did the trantion and realized that despite being able tomunicate with Lace.


    His subordinates had no way of talking to her effectively.


    Lace nodded in understanding and also followed the etiquette.


    "I''m Lace, the best and strongest dragon of the Ferus Sea. The stormbringer, bearer of the lightning bolt, and controller of the electrostatic." She smirked while introducing her not totally self-made titles.


    Abraham barely stopped himself from coughing blood out from the sheer second-hand embarrassment he was getting from the dragoness.


    Though, what she had said wasn''t a lie. She became the thunder dragon after eating the Elder Hearth. Her abilities must have grown to be stronger than ever before.


    But to keep her reputation as the dragoness, Abraham decided to keep things short.


    "She says she''s Lace."


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow as she was quite sure that what the dragoness had said was a lot longer than the words escaping her Fleet Admiral''s mouth.


    "I''m sure what she said was a lot longer than that though," Charlotte muttered in confusion while Abraham only continued smiling.


    The Vice Admiral could only sigh as the Fleet Admiral seemed adamant in keeping most of what Lace had said.


    "Anyhow, I''ll take my leave, Fleet Admiral. I''ll ry your orders to the captains through the data link." Charlotte lightly bowed and saluted before heading out towards the front door.


    When the Vice Admiral stepped out of the officer, silence lingered before Lace''s questioning words escaped her supple lips.


    "Abraham, what was that?"


    Abraham avoided Lace''s gaze and acted as though he hadn''t heard her. She will appreciate what he has done to save her reputation as the legendary dragoness.


    "I saved you from eternal embarrassment, Lace."


    "Eternal embarrassment?" Lace felt confused as to what Abraham had meant about eternal embarrassment, Why would she even be embarrassed?

 Chapter 49: | 049 | Port of Dawn Upgrade

    In the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Abraham watched a dot in the seemingly endless lines of the horizon. It was the destination of their armada. The lone port of the United Navy.


    The Port of Dawn.


    Located on the ind of Crescere. The ce where it all began. The Port of Dawn was the only establishment of the United Navy in this foreign world.


    It must be protected at all costs, for its destruction will cause the copse of the United Navy. The Fleet Admiral understood this simple yetplex concept.


    As he gazed at the boundless horizon, Abraham noticed a blinking icon in his perception. He raised an eyebrow wondering what it was.


    ''Systema, what''s that icon blinking in the bottom right side of my sight?'' He questioned through his thoughts. His precious partner didn''t disappoint as a response followed.


    It was yet again with a chime of a mechanical bell echoing inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | The blinking icon is an indication of a possible naval base upgrade. |


    Systema''s answer confused Abraham as he wasn''t aware that naval bases could be upgraded. Luckily, Systema seemed informed about her Fleet Admiral''s ignorance.


    ¨D¨D¨D


    | Naval Gacha System |


    ¡ñ| Bases |


    ?| Port of Dawn(Level 0: Upgradeable) |


    ¡ñ| Gacha |


    ?| Random Naval Spin(1,000 NP) |


    ¡ñ| Store |


    ?| Arleigh-Burke ss Destroyer Flight III(2,000 NP) |


    ?| San-Antonio ss Amphibious Transport Dock(1,600 NP) |


    ?| Admiral Gorshkov ss Frigate(250 NP) |


    -| Naval Points: (2270) |-


    ¨D¨D¨D


    The digital status screen of the Naval Gacha System materialized before Abraham. It has been a while since he opened his status. He never got to do so during the maritime security mission as his attention was on their unfortunate circumstances.


    ''Hmm¡­ A lot has changed.'' Abraham thoughtfully remarked while staring at the status screen. He obviously noticed the Port of Dawn''s upgradeable icon.


    He finally understood what Systema meant. With the Port of Dawn in the confines of level 0, it should be concurred that it can be upgraded.


    Naturally, with the importance of the naval base weighing in his mind. Abraham found it stupid to hesitate for a possible upgrade.


    Perhaps the upgrade would lead them to better defensive fortifications, industries, or an increase in poption. Each single result would be priceless for the current United Navy.


    With this in mind, Abraham decided to upgrade the Port of Dawn with utmost determination. Following it was the emergence of another digital screen.


    | Port of Dawn Level 0(1,000 Naval Points for Upgrade) |


    The price was honestly a lot cheaper than he expected. He thought he would have to grind for it but to think that the upgrade was already avable for him.


    ''I guess that''s the result ofpleting many side missions before the main mission.'' Abraham thought to himself before shaking his head and focusing on the digital screen in front of him.


    ''Systema, upgrade the Port of Dawn.'' Through his thoughts, several notification screens materialized one after another. The Port of Dawn upgrade had begun.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral has purchased the naval base level 1 upgrade. |


    | Upgrading Naval Base(Port of Dawn)¡­ |


    Abraham immediately noticed it. A golden radiance shone from the growing dot in the lines of the boundless horizon. It was the same color as the summoning but brighter than ever before.


    The effects of the naval base upgrade were not known. But he was confident that the Port of Dawn would berger than its former form. He couldn''t help but be excited with this thought.


    A couple seconds passed and the golden radiance glowed dim with time. He calmly observed the striking scene until the light faded from the dot.


    What followed was the appearance of multiple notification screens.


    *Ding!*


    | Port of Dawn sessfully upgraded. |


    | Port Personnel increased from 1,000 to 5,000! |


    | Moderate port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities added! |


    | 1st Battalion of the UA has been summoned! |


    Abraham raised an eyebrow as he read through the notification screens in front of him. The upgrade was a lot better than he expected. It increased his port personnel from 1,000 to 5,000 people.


    To him, it was arge number of people.


    Not only that but moderate port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities have been added. This would improve their manufacturing capabilities to another level.


    And finally, there was the summoning of the 1st Battalion of the UA. Obviously, the UA acronym meant the United Army.


    A military battalion was about 1,000 in personnel. It was practically an army in his grasp, which would make the exploration of the ind easier.


    ''Damn, the United Navy is growing pretty fast.'' Abraham noticed the elerated growth of the United Navy. Its growth meant the greater his safety would be, but it also gave him more work to do.


    ''It seems that I really need to get a secretary to help me.'' He thought and decided to close all of the digital screens except the status screen.


    The reason was simple. He wanted to turn his attention to something else.


    It was none other than the store.


    Beforehand, he thought of the store as too expensive for him to even dare to tread in. But things were different now, with the summoning of two more ships, the store had more versatility.


    The San Antonio-ss Amphibious Transport Dock was somewhat expensive, but it made a lot more sense than the Arleigh Burke-ss Destroyer.


    With its three marinepanies, it hosted arge number of military personnel. This also wasn''t counting the military vehicles transported by it.


    Because of this, the 1,600 Naval Points of the San Antonio-ss Amphibious Transport Dock was a better deal than the 2,000 Naval Points of the Arleigh Burke-ss Flight III Destroyer.


    But these two weren''t the things he wanted to dwell upon. Instead, his whole attention was pointed at the Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigate.


    ''Cheap.'' It was the only word that stuck in his mind when looking at the frigate. It was understandable, after all, for a mere 250 Naval Points, he could buy one.


    For a single Arleigh Burke-ss Flight III Destroyer, he could purchase eight Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigates.


    As someone who wasn''t entirely focused on missile defense and firepower, the frigate was the greatest warship that could ever appear in the store.


    Naturally, he wanted to buy it. However, he understood the importance of patience. He had a lot of things to do after returning to the Port of Dawn.


    Summoning more frigates would increase his alreadyrge workload.


    "I need to calm down." Abraham sighed and returned his gaze to the horizon. The former dot in its lines becamerger. It was the Crescere, the home of the United Navy.


    He calmly watched as the armada got closer to the Port of Dawn. To think that a single warship increased into an armada of four. Destiny really was unexpected.


    "Fleet Admiral, the Lieutenant Commander of the Port of Dawn wants to speak with you." One of themunication operators in the bridge reported.


    Abraham nodded at her and took the radio from her hands. He held it tightly with his fingers and the voice of his Lieutenant Commander sounded out of it.


    "Fleet Admiral, you must have gone through quite an interesting adventure during your time in the high seas."


    "As it is, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. But, you must have enjoyed my gift." He smirked while staring at the Port of Dawn which resembled more of a tiny city than ever before.

 Chapter 50: | 050 | The Armadas Return

    "So this is the Port of Dawn, huh?" In one of the several docks of the port, Lace remarked as she stepped out of the gangnk while covering her face with her pale arms from the gleaming light of the golden sun.


    The UNS Trinity of Sce was anchored in Dock 1 of the 5 docks in the Port of Dawn. Due to the battleship''s size, it took some time and guidance for them to be moored onto the dock.


    Lace observed the busy docks and the warships anchored along them. Dozens of strange iron carriages were parked and appeared to be prepared for the returning naval personnel.


    "It''s pretty big." Lace noticed the massive size of the Port of Dawn. It was like a tiny city, which was very unlike the viges of various tribes.


    Perhaps, the only structures that could rival what she was seeing were none other than the Colonial Dominions.


    "It wasn''t this big before. Although it wasn''t tiny either, it was a humble abode of the United Navy." Abraham got off the gangnk while carrying a couple of bags on his shoulder.


    Hearing the words of Abraham, the dragoness turned her head towards him with a smile.


    "You must be proud."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow after hearing her soft voice. Well, he was proud of what he had done for the United Navy. Its growth was something he was appreciative of.


    "I am proud. This is only the beginning for the United Navy. We will grow bigger, Lace." Abraham grinned at the gorgeous white-haireddy.


    "Well then, I am looking forward to seeing how much of this grows." Lace lightly chuckled and turned her gaze towards the Port of Dawn.


    The two of them walked through the dock and soon arrived at the passenger receiving station of the port. Even though migration hadn''t hit the United Navy yet, they were still strict in their migration procedures.


    As they arrived at the gate, one of the soldiers guarding it nodded at Abraham and saluted before opening the gates without any questions.


    This was one of the perks of being the Fleet Admiral. You practically own the ce.


    Abraham and Lace went through the checkpoint and saw various soldiers waiting for them in a convoy of ck SUVs and a single dark limousine.


    Naturally, the middle-aged man wondered where they got that convoy. After all, it would have been expected if it had been Humvees, but luxurious cars? When had they been able to afford it?


    "Surprise, Fleet Admiral? I got these from your gifts." Lieutenant Commander Morgen walked forward and expressed while saluting Abraham.


    "This is far from my expectations, Lieutenant Commander," Abraham smirked as they shook hands after Morgen concluded his military salute.


    Afterward, the Lieutenant Commander turned his eyes to the gorgeous white-haired dragoness. Although he had heard about her through the data link, the difference between reality and imagination was clear.


    Imagination had to make sense and meet expectations, but reality? It can be stranger and well beyond. Such unrivaled beauty was to be expected from the Fleet Admiral''s friend.


    "You must be Lace." Morgen smiled at the dragoness who tilted her head in confusion. "I am Lieutenant Commander Morgen, but you can call me Morgen."


    Lace and Morgen shook hands while she couldn''t understand anything he was trying to say. Though... She was aware that he was trying to introduce himself.


    "His name is Morgen, you can call him as such." Abraham calmly tranted, understanding that Lace was ignorant of theirnguage.


    Lace nodded in understanding after hearing the words of Abraham. Morgen then realized that she couldn''t understand what he was saying.


    "Language barriers, huh. I do wonder how we''ll handle this problem with the influx of refugees." Morgenmented as hundreds of refugees and war prisoners were entering the port en masse.


    "I supposed that''s a problem. But we did discover an artifact during our boarding of the ve-trading ship."


    "It could trante thenguages and intentions of people very well." Abraham addressed this since he knew the problems brought about bynguage barriers.


    "I assume you want to reverse engineer this artifact." Morgen understood what the Fleet Admiral wanted to do.


    "Yes, of course. It''s something we desperately needed for our expansion. After all, we must have the capabilities to talk to locals before even thinking about diplomacy."


    "However, it will be hard. It is a magical artifact, after all."


    They still had no idea how such things work. For them to even get an idea about the workings of magic, they must crack what was written in the diary left behind by the magus.


    "Magic is another highway of knowledge rivaling that of science. No matter how much we try, we won''t be able to catch up with the locals naturally." Morgen coolly expressed.


    "Naturally¡­"


    "I guess we will have to hire a group of magi in the future. We need their knowledge to be able to catch up." Abraham knew they had no chance against the group of people who had studied magic for their entire lives and for thousands of years.


    The best course of action was hiring them to learn about what magic was and integrate their knowledge into the United Navy''s existing structure.


    After all, there was no way the United Navy wouldn''t utilize magic, especially when it was actually before them waiting to be harnessed.


    However, as he thought about it logically through his mind, Abraham realized that he had a local of this world that could help him.


    It wasn''t confirmed whether she was skilled at magic or not, but she was already magically inclined when she could turn into a gargantuan eastern dragon or conjure static lightning.


    "Lac-" Abraham turned his head and was surprised that there was no one beside him. He was confused as to where the dragoness was.


    He nced at Morgen who merely pointed in a certain direction.


    Realizing that she ran off without him realizing, Abraham sighed and promised in his heart that he''d grind her head into damnation the moment he found her.


    "That dragon¡­ I can''t believe she ran off." He muttered under his breath.


    "She''s a dragon, Fleet Admiral." Morgen could only try to soothe his Fleet Admiral. As someone who was a bit adept in fantasy, dragons were never creatures that acted based onws or rules.


    "I guess she truly is." Abraham could only nod in agreement as he watched the direction where Morgen was pointing at.


    Once again, he promised in his heart that he''ll grind thatdy''s head into damnation with his knuckles. Just imagining it gave pleasure to his heart.


    Morgen shook his head as he felt sorry for the dragoness who would be punishedter on.


    "Let''s go, I''ll have to hear your report about the changes." Abraham entered the jet-ck limousine with aloofness and Lieutenant Commander Morgen followed.


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the Port of Dawn, a gorgeous white-haireddy with a draconic tail and horns roamed the street. She observed the structures in amazement, clearly impressed by the cleanliness of her surroundings.


    "As expected of Abraham, he has good taste." She nodded in satisfaction while continuing her stroll in the busy streets.

 Chapter 51: | 051 | Morgens Status Report

    In the jet-ck limousine driving through the streets of the Port of Dawn, Abraham gazed through the tinted windows and observed the current scenery of the port. The change was astonishing, to say the least.


    Most of the remainingnd of the port brimmed with various facilities and buildings that could support a poption of 5,000 to 7,500 people. In itself, the port could consider itself a tiny city.


    With several kinds of factories springing up one after another, it made him wonder about the growth in defensive capabilities of the Port of Dawn.


    Fortunately, his questions would be answered by the Lieutenant Commander''s report.


    Morgen who sat in front of Abraham in the limousine took out several report papers and exined them with ease and adeptness.


    "Fleet Admiral, our poption has risen from 1,000 to 5,000 personnel. With the inclusion of the naval personnel of our fleet, our poption should be 7,000 at least."


    The Lieutenant Commander first reported, to which Abraham responded with a nod. The middle-aged man was already aware of their poption growth.


    Seeing the nod of the Fleet Admiral, Lieutenant Commander Morgen continued.


    "Our docks have increased from a single one to five docks. Dozens of cranes have also been acquired for cargo transport, though we stillck cargo ships in our arsenal."


    "At the moment, we can''t utilize our transportation and cargo capabilities. I suggest we try to set out and trade with foreign cities."


    Trade was bare bones in the Port of Dawn, which wasn''t a piece of good news. There were only many things one could be self-sustainable to.


    Their current production was also less reliable than future importation. It would take time for them topletely adapt and start self-production of products.


    "Trading with other cities, huh? That sounds like an interesting idea, Morgen." Abraham muttered under his breath. The only problem with this suggestion was the cities.


    After all, while viges were confirmed to exist, cities were owned by organizations that might be hostile to the United Navy.


    "How should we trade with cities that are hostile to the United Navy?" Abraham calmly questioned the Lieutenant Commander as this was a problem that needed to be solved before thinking more about the trading suggestion.


    "I suggest we make a tradingpany that is semi-independent from the United Navy. With this, they wouldn''t corrte thepany to us and can apply for trade."


    Morgen responded with a suggestion, which interested Abraham.


    "That sounds like a good idea, Lieutenant Commander. I''ll take that in mind." Abraham wasn''t against the creation of the tradingpany.


    "Anyhow, our warehouses have grown in numbers. Empty warehouses have also been replenished to the brim. I believe that we canst 6 months with our resources, 3 months if we continue the operation of our navy."


    Lieutenant Commander Morgen reported the growth of warehouses and the fact that they were filled to the brim with supplies.


    This meant that for every upgrade of the port. Not only did it grow, but it also replenished its used supplies which was obviously good.


    "That is a piece of good news, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. Within three months, we should be able to construct some production facilities in locations of interest."


    Abraham was in a good mood with the news he had received about their supplies. This made him a bit more rxed as the problem of emptying out their supplies lessened its effect on his mind.


    "Correct, Fleet Admiral. Through the creation of our highway, it would be easier to build the production facilities we need to support our logistics. A lot more efficient too."


    Morgen nodded in agreement as the highway was important for the transportation and logistics of the construction of various production facilities.


    ''To think that the United Navy hase this far.'' Abraham quietly thought as it was a bit surprising. From the former poption of 1,000 to 5,000 and more including the naval personnel, they were bing bigger.


    It somewhat made him sentimental.


    Though, on the exterior of himself was a barely changing face, an aloof expression.


    "About the defensive forces, I have heard some information about them." Abraham continued their conversation with a new topic which was the newly-gained battalion.


    "Ah, yes. The 1st Battalion of the United Army. They are quite an interesting addition to our defensive forces." Lieutenant Commander Morgen smirked when Abraham mentioned the army.


    "With them in our ranks, our defensive capabilities have grown farther than ever before. Those annoying creatures that assaulted us during our resource survey wouldn''t even be a pest."


    The Lieutenant Commander seemed confident with the 1st Battalion. This made Abraham a bit curious about their capabilities.


    After all, they were part of his recently summoned subordinates.


    "I do wonder about the current capabilities of our military forces, Lieutenant Commander," Abrahammented, making Morgen nod in response and proceed to exin.


    "I was about to report to you about our military force, Fleet Admiral."


    "We currently have 1,150 personnel in the military alling from the 1st Battalion and the 25th Military Police Company. But there are thousands of able-bodied personnel that can be conscripted to our ground forces."


    "Our ground forces, or the United Army, also fields over a hundred Humvees, dozens of LMTV military trucks, arge number of m2A4 Bradleys, several defensive arrays of Multi-Mission Launchers(MML), a couple of m1A2 Sepv3 Abrahams, and a handful for m109A6 Pdin."


    "Following them would be the United Army''s air support which consists of two dozen UH-60M ck Hawks, a dozen MH-6M Little Birds, six AH-64E Apaches, and two CH-47F Block II Chinooks."


    "Combined together, our military capabilities would have rivaled small nations of our former world." The Lieutenant Commander concluded with a factual deration.


    Hearing the updated version of their military, Abraham was somewhat amazed by their current capabilities. The monsters probably wouldn''t be a problem to them anymore.


    Though¡­ He knew more than to underestimate his enemies. He needed to be logical and rational. He mustn''t let confidence turn to arrogance and blind him to the truth.


    With this in mind, Abraham calmed his excitement and closed his eyelids for a short moment. When seconds passed, he opened his eyes with clear determination.


    "That is impressive, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. But this is a foreign world where monsters, magic, and abnormal phenomena exist. We mustn''t be too confident in our capabilities."


    "We must grow with the thinking that what we have might not be enough. Because it is the truth, for as long as we and our values exist, we will be the enemies of the many." Abraham used his speech which dazed Morgen.


    The jet-ck limousine then stopped moving as they arrived at their destination. The Port of Dawn''s official branch building. It was a lot bigger than before and resembled more of a modern concrete building.


    It probably reached the 20th story by now. Its rooftop was also riddled with several Phnx C-RAM operated for air defense.


    As Abraham got out of the limousine and was followed by the Lieutenant Commander, he could see a familiar figure among the crowd waiting for him. It was none other than the dragoness who took off without notice earlier.


    While thoughts of grinding her head flooded his mind, Lace immediately arrived in front of him and held his hands with shining eyes resembling twinkling stars.


    "Abraham, please employ me!"

 Chapter 52: | 051 | Unemployed Dragoness

    In the Fleet Admiral''s office residing inside the branch office building of the Port of Dawn, Abraham sat on hisfy chair while rubbing his forehead with an indescribable expression.


    Before him was none other than the dragoness who was still looking at him with twinkling eyes brimming with hopes and dreams.


    Obviously, he was confused as to why Lace acted in such a way and wanted to know why she even wanted to be employed by him.


    It was a confusing situation, to say the least. Especially when she was emanating expectations that he didn''t want to identally disappoint.


    After a short while of thinking and Lace staring at him with the same twinkling eyes, Abraham finally spoke with utter calm and questioned the dragoness.


    "Why do you want to be employed, Lace?" It hasn''t been that long yet since she arrived in the Port of Dawn and she already wanted a job.


    Even he wasn''t this desperate when he was job-hunting in his twenties.


    Lace smiled after hearing his words and stepped closer to the Fleet Admiral''s desk. Her golden eyes blinked for a moment before she responded with a long and unexpected story arc.


    "You see¡­ When I left the port to explore your ce. I was quite appalled and somewhat amazed by the architecture and the cleanliness of your tiny city."


    "The streets are very clean and don''t even stink which is practically the first for me. I don''t even dare to go near cities because of their stench."


    "At any rate, as I was exploring through your streets, I noticed some shops beside it. I was quite surprised to see what they were selling."


    "I didn''t know you were selling some useful products, Abraham."


    Lace gave a thumbs up to the Fleet Admiral with a bright smile that revealed her fangs. She then continued her long story arc.


    "She sold something simr to our soaps but better and easier to use. There was also something called a shampoo and a conditioner. She said that it could make my hair better and silkier."


    "Wait, how did you even understand what the shopkeeper was saying?" Abraham brought up a vital question as Lace seemed to easily understand what others were trying to tell despite thenguage barrier.


    "Well¡­ It wasn''t easy. She was an understanding shopkeeper and was patient with me. So, she exined everything through pure actions which I could understand."


    Lace wryly smiled but soon regained her joy as she continued her long story arc once again.


    "Anyhow, I wanted to buy them and brought out some gold I had with me." She became downcast once again as if remembering a disappointing memory.


    "Sadly, she doesn''t ept gold and needs some strange paper. I don''t even know why a piece of paper has enough value to purchase goods. It doesn''t make sense."


    Lace exined with a disappointed and confused expression. She couldn''tprehend why papers had worth in the United Navy.


    "She said I needed to get a job to get the strange paper. So I''m here trying to be employed and be rich enough to buy conditioners and shampoos!" Lace dered with unrivaled determination.


    The long story arc of Lace was intriguing. How she managed to do such a thing while arriving earlier than Abraham at the branch building was a question he thought about.


    "But how did you know that I''ll be in the branch building?" Abraham coolly inquired.


    "Well, well¡­" Lace smirked as she got nearer to the Fleet Admiral. Her golden irises appeared to glow in neon hue.


    This made Abraham wonder what she did to get his information. Did she use mind control on someone? Force them with her magic? Use her innate dragon abilities to make them talk?


    Abraham''s thoughts were flooded with theories of what the dragoness could have done to the pure soul getting questioned.


    "I asked for directions."


    His expectations failed him. It wasn''t as horrendous as he thought it was.


    "I- I see¡­" Abraham controlled himself since he didn''t wish his untangled emotions of disappointment to be obvious to perceive.


    Luckily, his savior emerged in the form of someone knocking on his door. Both Abraham and Lace turned their eyes towards it with raised eyebrows.


    One was for interrupting her conversation with her dear friend. And the other was thankful for saving himself from the doom of disappointment.


    "Come in," Abraham uttered and the door to his office opened. Entering from the outside was none other than his Executive Officer, Vice Admiral Charlotte.


    Her silver-shaded blond hair swayed as she walked through the office and arrived in front of the Fleet Admiral''s desk. She held a report folder gracefully in her arms and saluted to Abraham.


    "Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Charlotte Reporting!" It was the same greeting as before.


    Abraham nodded with a thankful expression and let the Vice Admiral continue with her business to him. Lace observed the two in silence and decided to think about what she wanted to buy when she got her money instead.


    "I''m here to report about the status of war prisoners and refugees." It seems that her report was about the serious circumstances of the refugees and war prisoners.


    "The refugees have been sent to a refugee camp where they''ll be staying for the meantime while we stabilize our logistics and economy."


    "They have very muchplied with our orders and haven''t brought us problems."


    "We are currently in the process of teaching them how to use basic necessities for themselves and also some basicws of the Port of Dawn."


    Charlotte concluded the report of the refugees and it was now time for the war prisoners.


    "On the other hand, war prisoners have been violent since their capture. Although there were some whoplied with orders, most wouldn''t without the necessary force to do so."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow after hearing about the situation of the prisoners of war. It was natural for them to keep war prisoners, but it seems that their mercy has been trampled upon as weakness.


    He closed his eyelids and thought about the situation.


    "Hmm¡­ You know that prisoners of war don''t have rights, correct?" Lace remarked while leaning on Abraham''s desk.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, wondering what the dragoness meant about the war prisoners having no rights. Charlotte tilted her head in confusion about Lace''s words.


    "In this world, countries can do anything to their war prisoners. Perhaps the reason why they seem like a problem might be because they are thinking that you are afraid of the ones backing them.


    Lace''s remark stuck deep inside Charlotte''s mind as the Vice Admiral couldn''t understand a word escaping the white-haireddy''s supple lips. Meanwhile, Abraham realized something else.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte," Abraham uttered and Charlotte immediately straightened her back and raised a salute.


    "Our friend here wants to get employed in the United Navy. Unfortunately, she doesn''t have the knowledge or training to get into the basic curriculum of the navy."


    "So, why don''t you educate her on our ways and train her for the United Navy or United Army''s military training course."


    Like the leader that he was. He tossed the problem dragon to his subordinate with a smile on his face.


    Charlotte was clearly astounded and felt that a troublesome one had been thrown into her jurisdiction. However, she could only sigh as it was the Fleet Admiral who had given her orders.

 Chapter 53: | 053 | Intelligence about the Foreign World

    A few days have passed since the UNS Light Bringer returned to the Port of Dawn with an entire armada after the hastypletion of the maritime security mission. Things have been hectic since that day for the Fleet Admiral and his personnel.


    First was the conclusion of the refugee camp construction. It was called Camp Leben, and it consisted of over a hundred refugees rescued from the ve-trading vessel, Pinguis Arca.


    Since the day they had been rescued, the beastfolk refugees had rather beenpliant with the United Navy. There was no resistance or even thoughts about its decision, which confused everyone.


    However, through Lace''s words and Abraham''s trantion, they understood that the torture brought about by the vers extinguished signs of resistance in the hearts of the enved beastfolks.


    Naturally, this information turned the situation in another direction. Not only did the beastfolk refugees need physical therapy, but they also needed a mental one.


    However, Lace''s indifference wasn''t swept away and was noticed by Abraham. If one thought about it, she never did try to consolidate herself amongst the beastfolks.


    He wanted to confront her why, but it seemed too personal to delve into it. However, it does make one wonder how a rebel leader could be indifferent to the ones she was supposed to free from envement.


    Only time could tell, and Abraham didn''t want to disrupt their growing rtionship. She was a dragon, after all. An ally that needed to be prioritized in some way to another.


    Other than that, things were going well for the beastfolk refugees as they had begun opening up to the port personnel who were helping them recover.


    It was quite a beautiful sight, to say the least.


    But¡­ This did present another problem and that was thenguage barrier. The United Navy tried to learn the localnguage, but it proved too inefficient to do so.


    They instead opted to use the Lingua Gem left behind by the imprisoned captain of the Pinguis Arca. It was an interesting artifact that needed to be studied.


    Though... There was no way for the United Navy to efficiently study such things. Even trying to make Lace help them, was of no use as the dragoness had no idea about how magic worked.


    It seemed that whatever mystical thing she was doing, she had done it instinctively.


    The Lingua Gem was primarily used for two things in the Port of Dawn. There was the recovery of the beastfolk refugees and there was the interrogation of prisoners of war.


    Speaking of the prisoners of war, they had been a problematic bunch for Abraham to handle. He didn''t forget the words of Lace about them not having rights.


    Logically, they would be able to do anything to these prisoners and not get repercussions. As if they were the ones imprisoned, their adversaries would do the same.


    This was a world, where the strong thrived after all.


    The military police were ordered to use the necessary amount of force when handling the war prisoners. Necessary can go far up and down depending on circumstances.


    But nevertheless, keeping prisoners of war had its own benefits and that was intelligence. With over a hundred prisoners, they could cross-match every information they gained to create a temporary intelligence of the foreign world.


    And they had discovered a lot from the prisoners, especially from the captain of Pinguis Arca, Crassus.


    He had been unveiling swats of information regarding the Colonial Dominions and the nations of Europa. The information he had revealed was shocking even to the most aloof intelligence officers.


    The first intelligence was the Local Sea Region Report. ording to the captain and many others, Crescere belong to the sea region of the Ferus Sea that bordered the entrance to the continent of Europa.


    These signified that the United Navy situated in the middle of the new and old world. Such a fact would cause problems for them in the future, and it didn''t even end there.


    The second intelligence was the Intercontinental Report. Through the words of Crassus, the continent of Europa consisted of several nations ruled over by their sovereigns.


    Sovereigns were powerful mages that could sink mountains and split seas. They were practically the highest of the mages. How much of their abilities could be taken seriously was in question, but none dared to underestimate the foreign world.


    Other than the sovereigns, there was also the League of Humanity. An alliance of all human nations in the world ruled together by the sovereigns.


    This helped humanity stand united and not copse from the pressure of rival or near-peer races.


    The third intelligence was the final one. It was the most important as it was the information about the current adversary.


    Called the Colonial Dominion Report, it was primarily about the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Its location on the map was uttered and the same with its various controlled tribal colonies.


    With this information, it made it easy for the United Navy to understand the possible strength of their adversary.


    All of this intelligence gained from the interrogation they had done was one of the greatest things they had won from the maritime security mission.


    With it, the United Navy wouldn''t be as ignorant as before and understand the geo and sociopolitical currents of the foreign world. It was a treasure that must be appreciated.


    Abraham stopped reading the report and closed his eyelids. The report of the interrogation had juste and he had read the report from start to finish.


    It was quite long, but useful nheless.


    "Colonial Dominion of Terra, and the League of Humanity over it. While I''d like to keep things in peaceful terms, it would be near impossible to see each other at leveled ground."


    He sighed with clear disappointment in his tone. From the report given by the intelligence officers, the League of Humanity was extremely arrogant and xenophobic.


    They would enve other races and even their own, especially those with no signs of mana in their bodies. The humans of this world consider mana as divine and without it, a human can be considered as lower beings by fellow humans.


    "Do we even have mana?" Abraham silently questioned while clenching his fist. The scenery of war was getting nearer by the moment. It was bing unavoidable.


    If he wanted for the United Navy to survive, he needed to get stronger and the United Navy must do the same. To preserve peace, they must prepare for war.


    A dangerous yet rational thought.


    Pretending that everyone wants peace was the path to certain doom. At least, with strength, they''ll be able to negotiate and not get trampled by those around them.


    Before Abraham could continue with his cold thoughts about the future, someone knocked on his door taking him out of his wretched daze state.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    "Come in." He immediately responded to the knock and the door opened. What emerged from the other side was the Vice Admiral. It seems that another report must be given.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte Reporting!" She straightened her back and saluted to the Fleet Admiral. Abraham nodded and signaled her to report.


    "Sir, I am here to report thepletion of Highway 01." Charlotte softly uttered through her supple lips.

 Chapter 54: | 054 | Highway 01

    Highway 01 was the first highway on the ind of Crescere. It connected three specific locations to one another. The first was the Port of Dawn. The second was the eastern grasnd. And the third was the northern teau.


    These were the locations of interest in the United Navy''s archive. One of which contained their home, and the other two were their hope.


    At the moment, Highway 01 wasn''t a concrete or asphalt road. It was too costly and time-consuming to use such materials, and wouldn''t do good for the United Navy.


    Instead, they were prompted to utilize a dirt road leading to the locations of interest. These roads would be clearly defined and would be used for the heavy logistics of the future construction project.


    Thepletion of Highway 01 didn''t take long. It only took a week to be constructed by the construction personnel in the port.


    In his office, Abraham calmly observed Charlotte cing the reports about Highway 01 on his luxurious wooden desk. After she ced them on the table, Charlotte silently backed away and the Fleet Admiral began reading the files.


    Reading through the efficient and straightforward report about thepletion of the construction project, he discovered that its status was far from simple.


    After going through the report, Abraham rubbed his forehead and nced at Charlotte with his jet-ck irises. He then questioned the Vice Admiral.


    "Is the report verified?"


    Charlotte calmly nodded to the Fleet Admiral''s question and responded.


    "All of the words written in the report are verified, Fleet Admiral. The status of the project is troublesome. The continuation of any construction effort will be difficult."


    Abraham sighed in disappointment after hearing the confirmation of Charlotte. Thoughts flooded his head as to how to curb the issue presented in the report.


    ording to the status report of Highway 01, it has beenpleted and could be utilized for further logistics to the eastern grasnd and northern teau.


    However, due to the resistance of natural wildlife, any massive convoy passing through the highway has the probability of getting attacked.


    The solution to the problem was an escort. But for every delivery and the transportation logistics of the construction effort in the locations of interest. The cost increases with each escort.


    If the problem couldn''t be solved, further construction efforts into the eastern grasnd and northern teau would be temporarily halted.


    It was saddening news, and it needed to be solved. The construction effort was a solution to their dwindling supplies. An oil field and quarry must be made for resource production.


    After a few thoughts went through his mind, Abraham''s jet-ck eyesid upon the standing Vice Admiral before him. He asked for her suggestions regarding the matter.


    "Do you have any ideas for a solution, Vice Admiral?"


    Charlotte stepped forward and asked with an aloof tone. Her empty and grayish eyes peered with calm.


    "If I may ask a question, Fleet Admiral. How much of a priority is the construction effort into the eastern grasnd and northern teau."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow when he heard of the Vice Admiral''s question. He thought about it for a short while before concluding an answer.


    "It is the hope of the United Navy for self-sustenance. Our supplies aren''t infinite and we will run out sooner orter in the future. The resource production facilities must be constructed no matter what."


    The Fleet Admiral''s determined words brought sternness to Charlotte. She knew that she was about to suggest something horrifying to the highest ofmand of the United Navy.


    "With the great importance of the construction effort, I suggest an operation for the United Navy. The requirements and mission of the operation are simple. The termination of giant harmful local wildlife."


    "The giant beasts will have to be exterminated from the face of Crescere."


    Charlotte''s suggestion was beyond terrifying. To advocate the extermination of an entire species on an ind was something that possibly disturbs the ethos of the United Navy.


    Naturally, Abraham wouldn''t desire to evenmence such an operation. But it was this operation or an expensive and resource-consuming escort effort.


    Logically, he would have to pick the former.


    "This kind of operation will be extremely expensive, Charlotte. We had just recently returned from the maritime security mission. It has been a few days since then."


    Abraham expressed his doubts about the operation. While it would tackle their problem directly, that doesn''t mean that it would immediately solve it.


    "Regardless of whether we do it now orter, the results will be the same, Fleet Admiral. As long as we desire to continue our construction effort, they will pounce at us."


    Charlotte was clear about where she stood in her decision. She understood that it wouldn''t do good for the United Navy''s reputation. But she already questioned the importance of the construction effort to the United Navy''s continued survival.


    If it can prolong the existence of the naval force, it must be done.


    "I see your point. Instead of prolonging our debate, why don''t we call a local to discuss with us." Abraham sighed and looked at the front door of his office.


    "Lace, you can stop eavesdropping and enter the office." He continued while shaking his head. It was impossible to hide anything when the dragoness was around.


    Her hearing was too good and could easily cover the entirety of the branch building.


    Charlotte followed Abraham''s gaze and the front door soon opened.


    From it was a gorgeous white-haireddy, she was none other than the dragoness of the United Navy, Lace.


    She entered the Fleet Admiral''s office with a teasing smile on her face. It was a vast contrast to the seriousness portrayed by both Charlotte and Abraham.


    "The two of you sure don''t look good. You look like you''re about to murder babies." Lace smirked revealing her fangs to the highest officers of the United Navy.


    She softly threw a luxurious gem to the Vice Admiral, which thetter caught with ease. It would be boring if the stone girl couldn''t understand her conversation with Abraham.


    "Lace, you were listening?" Charlotte calmly asked and the dragoness only maintained her smugness. Abraham looked at the two and sighed once again.


    Ever since he tossed the problem dragon to the Vice Admiral, the twodies had gone closer to one another despite their contrasting personalities.


    The aloof Charlotte and the smug Lace were an intriguing sight.


    Charlotte has followed her orders faithfully and taught the dragoness as patiently as possible. Of course, it wasn''t without any problems.


    The Vice Admiral asked for a transfer of responsibility twenty times before giving up. Naturally, Abraham rejected her without any hesitation.


    "Her sense of hearing, sight, and smell are far greater than that of a human. She can pretty much hear everything around us without much of a problem."


    "Don''t think much about it. Let us continue with our conversation." Abraham remarked and Charlotte nodded in agreement.


    Lace stepped closer and sat on Abraham''s luxurious desk, earning a frown from the Vice Admiral. Abraham coughed and began their discussion so as to not let the two sh with one another.


    "Lace, the giant creatures lurking on the ind. What would be the effects on wildlife if we ever exterminated them." Abraham calmly inquired.


    The edges of Lace''s lips rose as answered with unrivaled arrogance.


    "Nothing. Exterminate them if you want to. You''ll be giving nature a favor."

 Chapter 55: | 055 | Magibeast

    Hearing the uncaring remarks of the dragoness, Abraham and Charlotte were obviously bbergasted. They tried to make sense of her words, but it led them to more questions instead.


    Abraham rubbed his forehead and nced at Lace with his jet-ck irises. His expression seemed to evidently ask for her exnation about her remarks.


    Lace gazed at the two and sighed in disappointment. These guys don''t seemed act likee from this world at all. They don''t even understand what they''re trying to tackle.


    It made her wonder about how closed-off the United Navy was from the outside world. After all, their actions, mindsets, and world views were extremely different from the world''smon sense.


    "You don''t think that giant violent beasts are part of the natural order, right? It would be stupid as the existence of these beasts would be destroying the ecosystems they are in."


    Lace calmly exined and the two looked at her with dumbfounded expressions.


    Abraham and Charlotte had referred to the foreign world as naturally mystical. Things that shouldn''t exist might exist. That was the thought process they had when tackling a problem in regard to the foreign world.


    Never did they understand that while the foreign world might be mystical. It still needs to follow the natural order. If there were prey, there shall be predators.


    No sentient creatures can stand at the top and dominate nature without sapience.


    If they did dominate their surroundings through sentience, then there should be something wrong with them.


    Lace then continued her exnation to her ignorant friends.


    "The giant creatures that are a problem to your construction effort are none other than the magibeasts. Monsters born from mana,pletely unnatural."


    "The magibeasts are like a gue that spreads ind to ind. Every ind they appear on has had its biodiversity copse. These monsters practically eat anything and reproduced extremely fast."


    "Formed from the high mana density, the ones that bring them are magi from Europa. Although unknowingly as those guys hadn''t known their very existence would cause the emergence of magibeasts."


    "I have annihted their species a couple of times when several tribes began warring against them. They sprung up every now and then like massive pests."


    "So, annihting them shouldn''t be a significant problem to nature. You''re practically helping it as the magibeasts are pests that don''t give to nature."


    "They only consume and don''t even defecate what they have eaten."


    With that, Lace''s exnation ended. Her exnation opened a whole world for Abraham and Charlotte. Theplexities of the foreign world were far from simple.


    The two understood that they shouldn''t think as such.


    Lace observed Abraham and Charlotte with her golden irises. Her slitted pupils seemed to enthrall others when gazed upon. But the two were too focused on their thoughts to even see her face.


    "That makes sense," Charlotte muttered under her breath and continued.


    "Giant violent and carnivorous creatures that reproduce very fast. One can see them getting extinct from causing their habitat to copse into itself."


    The words of the Vice Admiral awoke Abraham from his thoughts. He looked at Charlotte and then at the smug Lace.


    "The magibeasts arepletely unnatural and are harmful to the environment. They are creatures that only consume. For the protection of Crescere''s environment, I''ll open the way for an operation."


    Abraham finally agreed with Charlotte''s termination operation. With the words of Lace, it would be stupid not to do so.


    Besides, it was a better rationale for the operation. A harmful biological agent that causes the copse of habitats.


    No one would be reasoning against their extermination.


    ''A dominant sentient species. Worse than that of sapient ones. After all, sapient species can be reasoned with. But these guys only had their instincts engraved in their DNA.''


    ''They''ll consume without care of consequences. None of their species would even try to actively stop it as they have no motivation to do so.''


    Abraham understood the differences between dominant sapient and sentient species. A sapient one can understand their mistakes and possibly learn from them. Sentient ones won''t even think of it as a mistake.


    Their vision for the future doesn''t go as far as half a decade.


    "We will utilize both the naval and ground forces for this operation. They will be working together to clean up this far-spreading gue of creatures."


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte, I''ll be giving you authority over this operation. You can make the ns for it and are free to use resources avable in our depots."


    "But the operation will only be limited for a week. After that, the termination operation will conclude regardless of the oue."


    Abraham gave Charlotte the full reins for this operation. Its nning, strategies, tactics, and logistics will be handled by her.


    He also gave her a time limit for the operation. After all, the United Navy simply can''t maintain a war against some species indefinitely.


    Charlotte nodded and straightened her back. She saluted the Fleet Admiral and responded with calm.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I''ll exterminate our enemies. Await for good news." Charlotte lightly bowed and nced at Lace before taking her leave from the office.


    As the Vice Admiral stepped out of the office, Abraham and Lace were left alone together. It has been a while since they had a private time together.


    Abraham was too busy with his job as the Fleet Admiral, and Lace was upied with getting educated by Charlotte about the basics of the United Navy.


    From general arithmetic, physics, and biology. Charlotte was practically hitting the dragoness with major subjects of his former world.


    "It has been a while, Abraham. You look good." Lace smugly expressed while smirking at the middle-aged man.


    Working for a couple of days nonstop didn''t do good for Abraham. It was one of the reasons why he wasn''t as energetic as before.


    "I really need a secretary to help me." Abraham breathed out while slumping his shoulders. Just when he thought that he was free from work after getting transmigrated.


    He was still gued by it, and it wasn''t even out of necessity. It was something he needed to do as he was the highest ofmand in the United Navy.


    "Secretary, huh¡­ That will take some time. Most people here already have busy jobs." Lacemented while crossing her legs together. Her ck stocking seemed unveiled for the eyes to see.


    Abraham nced at her legs and felt d¨¦j¨¤ vu after observing it for some time. A thought went through his mind when looking at it.


    It was two words.


    Th thighs.


    He swiftly shook the ng out of his head and continued their conversation instead of gazing at some stocking-d thighs.


    "How''s your time with Charlotte, Lace." Abraham brought up her time with the Vice Admiral. Being taught by the second highest ofmand of the United Navy was an honor for any personnel in the United Navy.


    Though, the dragoness might not look at it the same as the others.


    "Oh, that stone-faced girl." Lace smiled as if remembering something interesting.


    "Stone-faced girl?" Abraham raised an eyebrow as this was the first time someone called the Vice Admiral with such a nickname.


    "She reminds me of a stone, unchanging despite the times." Lace chuckled.


    The two then began talking about what they had gone through the past few days. A short moment of peace for the middle-aged man and the problem dragon.

 Chapter 56: | 056 | Operation Hammer of Dawn

    Inside themand center residing deep within the defensive sector of the Port of Dawn. Most of the United Navy''s highest ofmands stood beside one another under the direction of the Fleet Admiral.


    Captain Howard nced at the massive round table and understood that it might be time for the operation that the Vice Admiral brewed to be unveiled.


    Most of the captains calmly waited until the metallic door of the strategicmand room slid open. They turned their eyes towards it and saw the Fleet Admiral in his uniform stepping in with a stern gaze.


    Behind him was the legendary eastern dragon. The personal trump card of the Fleet Admiral and his supposedly close friend.


    The captains swiftly straightened their backs and saluted to the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.


    Abraham nodded at their salute and stood amongst the officers. He turned his gaze towards the Vice Admiral and ordered for the meeting to be set forth.


    "Let''s start."


    On the other hand, Lace stood in the corners of the strategicmand along with the median officers of the navy. However, whether she stood amongst them or not didn''t matter.


    Their discussion would be clearly heard through her ears.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral." Charlotte nodded in response and continued with an aloof tone.


    "Give them the operation assessment files." She ordered her officer, who immediately ced the operation assessment files on the table before the captains of the United Navy.


    Afterward, the officer backed away into the corner along with many others.


    "The operation assessment files contain a detailed summary of the uing operation. If you require more information, you can open the operation assessment file in front of you."


    "I shall start with verbally expounding the operation." When she concluded her rification about the operation assessment files, the Vice Admiral officially started the meeting.


    "Now, the subject of our meeting will be the magibeasts. Information about them should be well spread out by now. I''m confident that none of you would be ignorant of them."


    Charlotte squinted her eyes and observed the captains surrounding the round table. They nodded together as they were aware of the magibeasts through the intelligence officers.


    "Good."


    "The Fleet Admiral has opened an operation to exterminate the magibeasts from Crescere. We must do so no matter what."


    "They have been guing around Highway 01 for some time now. If their harassment continues, the construction effort into the eastern grasnd and northern teau will be dyed or possibly halted."


    "I''m sure none of you want that. The eastern grasnd grants us ess to crude oil and the northern teau presents us with the opportunity of precious metals."


    "These two resources are required for the survival and growth of the United Navy. They must be acquired otherwise we risk the internal copse of the naval force."


    The Vice Admiral first started with the rationale of the operation. After all, the captains must understand the importance of the uing task in rtion to the United Navy.


    "However, why don''t we simply drop their numbers down instead of outright exterminating them from the ind." Captain Vokshod suggested to the Vice Admiral.


    She looked at the Russian captain with her grayish yet empty eyes and calmly exined to him why such a thing wasn''t an option for them.


    "To opt for draining their numbers would be resource-heavy to our military force. It would only give short-term results since the magibeasts are known for their quick reproduction."


    "Once the magibeasts notice their lowering poption, they will be prompted to reproduce to raise their numbers. It will be harder for us to handle them."


    "We mustn''t consider them as normal creatures. They dominate the line of sentience in this world. They are the apex of what couldn''t be considered sapient."


    Hearing the exnation from the Vice Admiral, Captain Vokshod nodded in understanding, realizing the danger posed by the so-called magibeasts.


    "At any rate, let us continue with our meeting."


    "The strategy of this operation will be simple. We shall begin with reconnaissance and find their nests scattered throughout Crescere."


    "Both the ground forces and naval forces will be working together in this reconnaissance. Every intelligence about these monsters must be discovered."


    "If we do discover the nests of the magibeasts. We will start the next phase of the operation. Investigate their behaviors. Where the entrances and exits reside must also be found since they will be crucial to the third phase."


    "The naval force will start bombing the nests of the magibeasts into zero. No one must hesitate their firepower since not a single magibeast must be left alive after this operation."


    "On the other hand, the ground forces will be taking care of the escaping magibeasts. Our heavy and light armored vehicles will be deployed along with air support."


    "They will be on standby in the discovered entrances and exits of the nests. So, captains¡­" Vice Admiral Charlotte coldly looked at the captains and continued.


    "Destroy them with everything you got."


    The captains in the strategicmand nodded in understanding and maintained their serious expressions. This would probably be the firstrge-scale ground operation of the United Navy.


    It was highly dependent on the naval force as the destruction they caused would decide the lives of military personnel sacrificed on the battlefield.


    "That is everything for now. For the specifics of our strategies, I shall debrief them in ater schedule." With that, the meeting in the strategicmand ended.


    As the captains were about to leave the strategicmand after saluting to the Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Charlotte reminded them of an important thing. It was none other than the name of the operation.


    "Before you leave, the designated name of the uing operation is¡­"


    "Operation Hammer of Dawn."


    The captains nodded and kept the name of the operation in their minds. They soon left the strategicmand along with their officers, bringing about silence to the formerly full meeting room.


    Lace nced at the Fleet Admiral and Vice Admiral of the United Navy. None of the two seemed to desire to utter a single word. This prompted the dragoness to start the conversation instead.


    After all, it would be too boring if they only kept their silence.


    "Charlotte, what a great meeting," Lace remarked with a smirk on her face. Charlotte raised an eyebrow and was a bit confused by the praise of the dragoness.


    During her time with the dragoness, she heard nothing more butints about why knowledge mattered when strength was enough.


    Naturally, Charlotte gave the dragoness a long-winded philosophical exnation about the importance of knowledge.


    "Hammer of Dawn, huh¡­ Quite interesting don''t you think?" Abraham joined their conversation with a smile on his face.


    He underestimated the naming capabilities of his subordinate.


    *Ding!*


    | Your naming skills are simply nonexistent. |


    Out of nowhere, a mechanical bell rang inside his head followed by Systema''s snarky remark. Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as he was quite confident of his naming skills.


    To tarnish it requires some bravery, which his precious partner sadly didn''tck.


    "I took my time thinking of the name, Fleet Admiral." Charlotte lightly pouted which caused the dragoness and the middle-aged man to freeze in shock.

 Chapter 57: | 057 | Northern Plateau Reconnaissance

    In the ridges of the northern teau, a ck Hawk flew through the air and circled the mountainous region. The transport helicopter was given a mission by the highmand. It was a reconnaissance of the surrounding area.


    "This is Scalpel 2, targets in sight. Maintaining distance and following." An aviation officer reported to themunication link of the recon group.


    He looked at the screen and saw numerous giant beasts roaming in the rock crevice of the northern teau. They were everywhere like ants.


    The fact that all of these were carnivorous was troublesome. How the local ecosystem could support their poption was an aching question.


    However, it might not take long before the supporting ecosystem copses in on itself.


    "You see this?" One of the aviation personnel expressed his shock.


    Their ground forces would probably be annihted if met with the full assault of the populous magibeasts. It was fortunate that they wouldn''t start the operation with the ground forces first and foremost.


    "It will take a lot of ordnance to handle them." The aviation officermented while observing the gathering of magibeasts through the monitor screen.


    The echoes of the pping propellers resounded as the static of the radio resounded in the interiors of the transport helicopter before being reced by a voice.


    *This is Scalpel 1, targets detected in the northernmost part of the teau. Possibly two-four-three in number.*


    Reports from the aviation officer of Scalpel 1 escaped the confines of the radio device. The officer of Scalpel 2 raised an eyebrow and decided to follow suit.


    He reported the numbers of the gathering magibeasts they were following.


    "Scalpel 2, reporting¡­ Spotted targets numbered around three-two-eight. Maintaining 2 clicks distance and observing."


    *Copy, Scalpel 2. Overwatch has been ordered to maintain recon status. Do not engage with targets and find their nests.* Seeding to the aviation officer''s report was the response of reconnaissance task force leader, Scalpel 1.


    "Roger that, Scalpel 1. Attending directives!" The aviation officer replied and closed the radiomunicator afterward.


    Before he could think about his recent conversation, one of the aviation personnel called out to him.


    "Sir, their activities are changing." An aviation personnel said, turning the aviation officer''s attention to the monitor screen.


    In the monitor screen, the calm gathering of magibeasts started erratically moving. They began screeching and roaring in madness.


    *SCREEEECHHH!!!!* *ROOOOARRRRR!!!* *SCREECCH!!!*


    The aviation officer squinted his eyes trying to understand what was happening before them. The deafening noises of the magibeasts became louder and louder until one of them cried out in pain.


    He raised an eyebrow as he noticed one of the giant creatures munching into the head of their kind. And then out of nowhere, the magibeasts started attacking one another.


    "What the-"


    Obviously, the aviation officer was dumbfounded. The terrifying scene of the magibeasts attacking and eating each other unfolded before him.


    It was straight-up a picture of hell.


    "Damn, these monsters are mad. Why are they eating their kind?" An aviation personnel questioned trying to make sense of the unveiling scenery of hellish savagery.


    The aviation officer couldn''t find an answer and maintained his silence. The feed before them was already preemptively recorded for data gathering. It was their job to gather intelligence, nothing more and nothing less.


    They don''t find answers. The intelligence officers in the Port of Dawn will handle the ''seeking for answers job'' for them.


    Though¡­ The aviation officer opened the radio as this was something that needed to be reported to the reconnaissance leader.


    "This is Scalpel 2, strange activities have erupted within the ranks of the gathering magibeasts. They are eating and attacking one another."


    *Scalpel 3, reporting¡­ Massive groups of magibeasts are heading towards the northernmost part of the teau. Most seemed to be extremely bloodied.*


    *Scalpel 4, reporting from the west. Observed group of magibeasts charging northeastward. The weakened ones amongst them are being killed and eaten.*


    *Intelligence received! This is Scalpel 1, an unknown cave entrance has been discovered. Hundreds of magibeasts are plunging into the entrance. Some corpses have been dragged and lowered into the suspected cave system*


    *Sending received data to the Overwatch! Maintain current directives until further orders.*


    From the looks of it, every magibeast surrounding the northern teau was bing mad. This brought the aviation officer a bad feeling.


    After all, it was too unnatural and seemed to be an undertaken activity. It made him wonder whether or not the magibeasts reallycked intellectual capabilities.


    ''But it doesn''t matter whether they are smart or not. Only one can have this ind as their home and it would be us.'' The aviation officer coldly thought to himself.


    He turned his gaze to the monitor screen and watched as the magibeasts tore themselves apart and savored the flesh of their kind without a tinge of mercy.


    "Monsters¡­"


    He muttered under his breath.


    Meanwhile, on the northern coast of Crescere was the November Fleet of Operation Hammer of Dawn. It consisted of two warships, the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya.


    Inside the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer was Captain Lux, themanding officer of the destroyer.


    The data sent by the reconnaissance task force had recently arrived and was swiftly sent through the data link. The intelligence data that was discovered made them tense.


    "Hmm¡­ Their current numbers amount to 1,179. That''s the number we discovered." Captain Lux remarked and squinted his eyes while tapping the metallic table.


    "However, that isn''t including the possible cave system hidden inside the northern teau. It is highly probable that the cave system contains the nest of the northern magibeasts. But it''s quite troublesome."


    "The cave system is unknown to us. We can''t make a move against it unless we receive a substantial topography." They were stuck in a problematic circumstance.


    "Shall we send in the marines, Captain Lux?" One of the intelligence officers suggested. He earned the rejection of the captain as Lux shook his head to deny the suggestion.


    Sending marines into the underground cave system would be suicide for the soldiers and a waste of resources. There was no need for detailed topography of the cave system.


    A simple idea of what was inside should be enough for the operation.


    With this in mind, Captain Lux turned his gaze toward themunication operators inside the Combat Information Center.


    His mouth opened as he ordered them to transmit a message to the Port of Dawn.


    "Open transmission to themand center. We require their assistance." Hearing his words, themunication operators nodded and swiftly opened themunication line between the UNS Light Bringer and the Port of Dawn.


    "Ask them if a ground prating radar that could be armed into a helicopter is avable." Captain Lux wanted the ground prating radar to gain a simple topography of the underground cave systems.


    With these, no lives would be lost for the sake of gaining intelligence.


    Themunication operators efficiently sent the captain''s message. Fortunately, it didn''t take more than ten seconds for a response toe from themand center.


    When the message was received, themunication operators hastily nodded and immediately reported to the captain of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "Sir, ground prating radars are avable in the Port of Dawn."


    From the piece of good news, Captain Lux''s eyes lit up and smirked.


    "Good, tell them that our reconnaissance task force will need to be equipped with these radar systems."

 Chapter 58: | 058 | Forward Operating Base

    In the fringes of the eastern grasnd was a military convoy driving through the dirt tracks left behind by the advancing construction task force. They were currently headed toward the newly-built Forward Operating Base located on the borders of the ins.


    Within one of the Humvees in the convoy, Vice Admiral Charlotte calmly read through the reports she had received regarding the current status of the operation.


    The first stage was going well, to say the least. The reconnaissance efforts were giving results and intelligences were getting poured into the data link.


    After the reconnaissance task, Operation Hammer of Dawn would probably officially start.


    "Charlotte, I thought you would be managing the operation with Abraham." Beside the stone-faced Vice Admiral was the legendary dragoness of the United Navy, Lace.


    She still had the same smug expression on her face, which would have easily pissed others off, but the Vice Admiral didn''t seem to show that much of a reaction.


    As expected of the so-called stone-faced Vice Admiral.


    Hearing the teasing tone of the dragoness, Charlotte turned her gaze towards Lace with a nk expression. She would have desired to leave this problem dragon with the Fleet Admiral.


    However, the problem dragon was vital to this operation. She would be assisting the ground forces and making sure that none of the charging adversaries would pass through the defensive lines.


    Regardless of Charlotte''s thoughts about the dragoness, she needed to throw them away for the sake of the operation''s sess and the lives of her soldiers.


    After all, ego had no position in the military.


    "Are you aware of your mission in this operation?" Charlotte calmly inquired, making the dragoness pout and turn her head to the side while responding.


    "Yeah, yeah¡­ Make sure that none of the magibeasts passed through the defensive line." This was her second operation with the United Navy, and she wasn''t hired yet.


    ording to her friend, Abraham. She was stillcking in concerns of military discipline, which she couldn''t deny. As a dragon, it was hard to be disciplined.


    She could only pretend and act like one.


    "Good, we''ll be needing all the help we can get Lace." Charlotte breathed in relief as the edges of Lace''s lips rose.


    Despite being stone-faced most of the time, that didn''t mean that the Vice Admiral had no emotions. She was merely skilled at maintaining her calm.


    Charlotte wasn''t as uncaring as she would like to portray. She wouldn''t want her soldiers to needlessly die in an operation she conjured.


    "I''ll take care of those pests. There''s no need to worry about them." Lace chuckled while lessening the tense atmosphere with pure smugness.


    "No, it''s not like that. I''m troubled by the intelligence we have received from the north. It looks like the magibeasts there are acting strange. They seemed to be eating one another."


    Charlotte exined some of the reports she had received from the north. Hearing the Vice Admiral''s words, Lace raised an eyebrow and thought about it.


    Strangeness was synonymous with magibeasts, but this was the first ever heard of them attacking and eating one another.


    "Are you implying that they are trying to control the poption?" Lace understood the implication of Charlotte''s words.


    "I don''t care about them controlling their poption. It''s the fact that they are trying." Charlotte said with a scrutinizing gaze. Investigative thoughts flooded her mind desiring to find an answer.


    "That does sound worrying. This is also the first I''ve ever heard of magibeasts eating one another. It seems that the north is dealing with a unique circumstance."


    Lace remarked with interest in her eyes. Of the many magibeast species she had extinguished, the ones in the north intrigued her the most.


    It was as if something was-


    "Unique circumstances are far from something we desire. We need to make sure no unnecessary variable appears, so the northern operation will be postponed until we gain further intelligence."


    Charlotte decided to halt the northern operation. The eastern one will go first instead and the north will follow. The reason was somewhat simple.


    She turned her gaze towards the dragoness as thoughts passed through her head. Even though Lace was a problem dragon, with her around, no matter how many variables existed, victory would always be attainable.


    With these thoughts in mind, Charlotte made a call to postpone the schedule of the northern operation.


    Her orders passed without any resistance as the November Fleet was busy mapping out the intricate cave systems. Even if they wanted to follow the schedule, they simply couldn''t do it without gathering more information.


    "Where are we heading to begin with?" Lace questioned, curious about the destination of their convoy.


    The iron carriages of the United Navy seemed fastpared to normal wooden ones, but it was still slower than her running speed. It was in the direction of Charlotte that she was forced to be stuck in a Humvee.


    Otherwise, she would have arrived earlier at their destination by now.


    "We are heading to the Forward Operating Base, Lace. The ce where most of our ground forces will gather." Charlotte calmly responded while staring through the window and into the grasnd.


    The evergreen slick of grass seemed to flicker with the radiant light of the sun. It was a beautiful day outside, though a tense day for the personnel in the United Navy.


    This was¡­ After all, their first ground war.


    "It will handle the logistics for theter battle. After all, ammunition, soldiers, ordnance, food, medicines, and armored vehicles don''t appear out of nowhere."


    Charlotte continued while maintaining her pleasant observation of the outside.


    The pping of propeller des soon echoed as a group of ck Hawks passed through the military convoy heading to the Forward Operating Base.


    Lace looked upward with her golden irises staring at the transport helicopters with astonishment. It always surprised her that someone could fly without using wyverns or anything of that sort.


    She heard that she managed to ride a helicopter when she got rescued from the sea. It was unfortunate that she was unconscious at that moment.


    Otherwise, she would have enjoyed flying without transforming herself into a dragon.


    Meanwhile, Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows as she remembered her decision to take a convoy on the ground instead of getting transported through the air.


    It was because of the needed transportation of essential personnel and electronics immediately into the constructed Forward Operating Base.


    Since she didn''t need to be there immediately, she decided to ride a ground convoy instead. While it was a bit regrettable, she would have done the same thing if she was given a chance to do so ever again.


    "Vice Admiral, we have arrived." The driver of the Humvee reported, prompting the two gorgeousdies to look through their windows.


    Various construction sites were getting created one after another as tricks were fully loaded with soil scattered throughout the air. Fences were being erected and structures were getting established.


    It shouldn''t take too long before the Forward Operating Base bes fully operational.


    "I never said this before. But damn, all of you are so fast at building things. To think you''ll be able to build a town in a span of two days" Lace remarked in astonishment.


    Charlotte quietly smirked while ying around with a lustrous gem held by her pale fingers.

 Chapter 59: | 059 | The Solaced Battleship of Trinity

    Near the eastern coast of Crescere was the Echo Fleet of the United Navy. It wasposed of two massive warships, the UNS Guardian of the High Seas and the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    One was an amphibious transport dock carrying threepanies worth of Marines and military vehicles, while the other was a modernized battleship brimming with weapons of freedom.


    Inside the UNS Trinity of Sce was Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd, the highest ofmand within the United Navy.


    He stood inside the bridge of the warship, quietly observing the vast horizon of the foreign world before him. A calm expression was stered on his face, though on the inside, things were different.


    ''I can''t believe I''m actuallymanding a battleship.'' Such a thought flooded his head as his heart steadily beat with a tinge of excitement.


    Every man wanted tomand a battleship of their own and hear that 16-inch barrel rumble with a deafening sound. Obviously, he wasn''t any different.


    Abraham patiently waited to hear the signal to start firing whatever the battleship had. Though¡­ It might take some time before he could hear it from themunication operators.


    "Sir, we only have 5 hours left before the official start of the operation." An intelligence officer aloofly reported to the Fleet Admiral.


    Abraham nodded at his report and continued gazing at the calm seas. It was the best day for the operation as the seas were easy to sail upon. It also wasn''t stormy which would hinder the troops on the ground.


    "Have you received intel from the Forward Operating Base?" Abraham turned his jet-ck eyes towards the intelligence officer beside him and inquired.


    "Yes, we have gotten intelligence from the FOB in the eastern grasnd. Do you want the summary, Fleet Admiral?" The intelligence officer asked.


    "No need. Just give me the intelligence report." Abraham shook his head and rejected the intelligence officer. He didn''t find the need for it to be summarized.


    After all, it''s not like time was running against them.


    "Affirmative, Sir. Here''s the file regarding the intelligence report sent by the Forward Operating Base." The intelligence officer nodded in understanding and gave the file about the recently-gained intel.


    Abraham epted it and the intelligence officer backed away as he read through the file. Inside were the recent discoveries made by the reconnaissance task force.


    It was a set of intriguing information, to say the least.


    ''Hmm¡­ I underestimated the magibeasts.'' Abraham thought while he squinted his eyes in scrutiny. It was problematic for them to act strange but in such a maddening manner?


    There was an obvious variable hidden deep inside the Crescere. And until they discovered that variable, the northern operation would probably be halted.


    ''The northern operation might go off schedule. But I guess we can send reinforcements once we handle things on our side.'' Abraham wasn''t against the postponing of the northern operation.


    It would be better to tread carefully in the midst of this foreign world. After all, this was reality, far from a game on aputer.


    "I hope things won''t be even moreplicated." He muttered under his breath while watching the blue waves of the high seas.


    Variables were unavoidable as nothing would ever go truly to n in reality. Adaptations were required for a n to be ironically solid.


    Though¡­ There were times when variables didn''t matter.


    "Oh, well¡­ It''s not something that a gun can''t fix. Gunpowder, shells, and explosions will probably handle any variables in the operation." The edges of his lips rose as his confidence set aze.


    Meanwhile, in the blue skies above the eastern grasnd were a group of ck Hawks flying through the air. They were the reconnaissance task force sent to investigate the magibeasts dwelling in the eastern grasnd.


    At the moment, they were following a herd of magibeasts running deeper into the eastern grasnd. They observed it through the monitor screen and sent the data footage to the Forward Operating Base.


    "How far are we from the FOB?" The aviation officer asked one of his personnel aboard the ck Hawk.


    "We''re about 25 clicks from the Forward Operating Base, Sir." The personnel responded, making the aviation officer nod.


    The officer then turned his attention to the herd of magibeasts who were obviously heading somewhere. It seems that it wouldn''t take long before they find the nest of these magibeasts.


    "Sir, arge gathering has been spotted 3 clicks ahead." The radar operator in the ck Hawk reported. The aviation officer raised an eyebrow and saw the increasing numbers.


    "It seems that it didn''t take long. We have finally discovered their nest." The officer smiled as their reconnaissance was about to reach its end.


    "Maintain 1 click distance from the gathering and observe them." He ordered the pilot who calmly nodded. Most of the ck Hawks in the group also followed suit.


    Deep within the eastern grasnd was a small valley with ake at its center. Amidst the valley was none other than the magibeasts numbering over a thousand. This ce was their nest, the breeding ground of their species.


    When the reconnaissance task force discovered the small valley. They immediately sent its location to the data link as the prime target for the uing operation.


    After spending half an hour observing and watching every move of the massive herd, the ck Hawks returned to the Forward Operating Base with all the information they needed.


    Back to the eastern coast of Crescere, the Echo Fleet was merely a kilometer away from the coastal ridges. Inside the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, amunication operator reported the forwarded schedule of the operation.


    "Sir, the eastern operation has been scheduled an hour earlier. The nest of the magibeasts has been discovered. It seems to be the only nest in the region."


    As Abraham heard the news, his eyebrows rose as he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Though, obviously, the operation was about to start.


    "Has the order been confirmed?" Abraham questioned themunication operator. The operator nodded and swiftly responded.


    "Estimated time for operation tomence is ten minutes."


    Hearing the words of themunication operator, Abraham nodded in understanding and immediately ordered his naval personnel to prepare for the uing action.


    "Get to your battle stations." Following his orders, the naval personnel quickly moved and sirens began to echo throughout the battleship.


    "Send these orders to fire control, have them turn the guns to the designated tango," Abraham ordered the turrets to be prepared in their firing position.


    "Orders sent, Sir!" One of themunication operators on the bridge responded.


    "Fire control has received orders and is turning the guns to the designated tango." With the confirmation of his order, Abraham threw another one.


    "Good, have the Combat Information Center get the tomahawks armed and ready. I don''t want them to be dyed. They will be the first salvo of the operation."


    Themunication operators nodded upon hearing his orders and contacted the Combat Information Center. It didn''t take long for the results toe.


    "Combat Information Center has the tomahawks armed and ready, Sir."


    "Great, then get ready." Abraham could already smell the scent of freedom in the air. It was finally time for the UNS Trinity of Sce to unveil its firepower.

 Chapter 60: | 060 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Opening

    30 kilometers away from the Forward Operating Base, several ck Hawks circled around a small valley. They hovered over two hundred meters in altitude and maintained a stable distance while continuing their observation over the magibeasts poption.


    The Operation Hammer of Dawn was about tomence. Its estimated time was already scattered throughout the naval and ground forces surrounding the eastern grasnd.


    ording to current reports, the logistics for the battle had already been prepared and the ground forces were in position. The Echo Fleet was also near the eastern coast of the ind, preparing for the bombardment.


    "This is Lighthouse 1, observing designated tango. Movements and activities are stable." An aviation officer reported through the radio. It was directly transmitted to the FOB where themand center resided.


    *Lighthouse 1, this is Forward Overwatch, copy.* A response escaped the metallic confines of the radio. And many more followed it.


    *5 minutes until hammering. Increase altitude and maintain distance to the designated tango. Sustain cautiousness of uing bombardment.*


    The radio operator from the other side warned the reconnaissance ck Hawks about the iing bombardment of the designated tango.


    *This is Lighthouse 2, directive received!*


    *Lighthouse 3, affirmative!*


    With the replies from fellow reconnaissance officers, the aviation officer of Lighthouse 1 also responded to the radio operator of the Forward Operating Base.


    "Lighthouse 1, following instructions." The aviation officer nced at the pilot who merely nodded and increased their altitude.


    They maintained a distance of 5 clicks away from the designated tango and continued to circle around them while supplying footage regarding the small valley.


    Time soon passed and the minutes before the operation felt the longest. Seconds echoed in their minds, seemingly ticking in a slow manner. It was a strange sensation for the recon personnel.


    However, their wait ended with the following transmission from the Forward Operating Base.


    *This is Forward Overwatch, ETA 30 seconds before hammering. All reconnaissance task force, brace yourselves!* The words of the radio operator resounded throughout the interiors of every ck Hawk circling the small valley.


    The aviation officer of Lighthouse 1 looked at his personnel and reminded them of what was toe. "Prepare for the bombardment, hold tight."


    Hearing his orders, the aviation personnel held tight into the interiors of the transport helicopter. On the other hand, the officer observed the small valley through the monitor screen.


    The static resounded from the radios then were seeded by the countdown.


    *10¡­9¡­8¡­7¡­6¡­5¡­4..3¡­2¡­1¡­*


    *The operation has begun.*


    One would have expected bombs to explode throughout the small valley when the countdown ended. But everyone heard nothing but silence and their breaths.


    Their ears rang from the still silence until bright lights radiantly gleamed from the small valley. The radiance outshone the piercing light of the sun for a mere moment.


    And what followed was the deafening explosion that caused the ck Hawks to tremble.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The explosions seemed never-ending. Inside the helicopters, the crew held on tightly with all their might trying to not topple down.


    While the personnel had their attention on maintaining their stability, the aviation officer had his gaze directly pointed at the monitor screen that buzzed in static here and then.


    Dark smoke shrouded the entirety of the small valley as a thin cloud soon formed in its surroundings. It took some time for things to calm down. And when it did, the personnel also had their eyes on the monitor.


    None of them spoke a single word as they observed the monitor with scrutiny. When the dark smoke and thin cloud waned, hundreds of ck figures charged out of the smoke-covered valley.


    The boar-like magibeasts had survived the first salvo of the bombardment. They spread out in every direction, but sadly for them, it wouldn''t be enough.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Unlike the first momentary-radiant explosions, the second bombardment was like an angry erupting mountain. These explosions were brought about by high-explosive shells, causing fires and devastation at the same time.


    With the confirmednding of the second bombardment, the aviation officer immediately reported to the Forward Operating Base.


    "This is Lighthouse 1, first bombardment, hit confirmed. Second bombardment ongoing¡­"


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    As the aviation operator reported the status of the operation, shells kept sting the small valley into damnation. The nest of the magibeasts was barely visible from the sky.


    The thick cloud of smoke and dust continued to cover it with their veil.


    *Lighthouse 1, report copy. Inquiring status of the designated tango and its inhabitants.* The radio operator questioned the circumstances of the adversaries.


    The aviation officer raised an eyebrow and nced at the monitor screen where the bombarded small valley could be seen.


    Beside the monitor screen was the crew of the ck Hawk who were still holding onto the interiors of the transport helicopter. Their helicopter kept trembling because of the shelling, but it was a lot more bearable than the first salvo.


    At any rate, the aviation officer couldn''t imagine the magibeasts surviving the shelling of their battleship. Even if the st and heat of the explosion couldn''t kill them, the shock waves would turn their innards into mush.


    The aviation officer was about to report the negative status of the magibeasts in the designated tango, signifying their inactivity. However, before he could do so, he felt a tap on his shoulder.


    He raised an eyebrow as he was about to make a transmission to the Forward Overwatch. But his annoyance from the interruption stopped as his shoulders sloped downward.


    He was shocked. No¡­ All of them were shocked.


    In the monitor screen observing the situation below, thousands upon thousands of figures exited the smoke-coveredndscape.


    Even amidst the devastating shelling, they charged out without care of anything around them. Some boar-like magibeasts even lost their limbs, but they still kept sprinting outward.


    The tenacity of the magibeasts surprised everyone in the reconnaissance task force. Their will to live wasn''t something to be underestimated.


    But the aviation officer knew that this wasn''t the time to keep watching. He needed to report the activities of the magibeasts to the Forward Overwatch.


    "This is Lighthouse 1, erratic status observed from the inhabitants of the designated tango. Thousands of them are charging out without care. Our firepower wasn''t enough."


    *Lighthouse 1, say again?* Obviously, the radio operator from the other side was a bit dumbfounded by the recent report from their reconnaissance task force.


    "This is Lighthouse 1, our firepower was ineffective. Thousands of magibeasts are escaping the designated kill zone." The aviation officer repeated his report.


    *Lighthouse 1 report received. Inquiring for other reconnaissance helicopters'' for their confirmation.* Naturally, the radio operator also wanted to know if others made the same observation.


    *Lighthouse 2 reporting, confirmed!*


    *Lighthouse 3 reporting, confirmed!*


    *Lighthouse 4 reporting, confirmed!*


    *Status report has been confirmed. Sending it to the data link.* The truth was unavoidable and the radio operator could only ept it.


    With the confirmation of the Forward Overwatch, the aviation officer nced at the monitor screen once again. The horde of magibeasts seemed endless, making him furrow his eyebrows.


    "We have to destroy them." To him, the scale of threat the magibeasts boasts became higher than ever before. He was intent on exterminating them.

 Chapter 61: | 061 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: The Cavalry

    In themand center of the Forward Operating Base, reports from the reconnaissance task force have been received regarding the status of the designated tango and its inhabitants.


    The intelligence reports were, to say the least, pieces of bad news.


    Charlotte immediately heard of the reconnaissance report from the intelligence officers. She furrowed her eyebrows as she thought about it inside her mind.


    The first bombardment was a sess, and the second one was ongoing. The designated tango was being continuously shelled at the moment, but it seemed that their firepower was a bit ineffective against the magibeasts.


    After all, thousands of these boar-like creatures still managed to escape the kill zone.


    But nheless, even though thousands of magibeasts managed to flee from the shelling of the UNS Trinity of Sce, it was still within their expectations.


    With this in mind, there was no need for the ns to change yet. However, that didn''t mean that there was no issue. The problem wasn''t merelyrge enough to warrant change.


    "Is the aerial cavalry ready?" Charlotte stood before themand table with the topographic map of Crescere. Designated tangos were being pinpointed and troop cements were also marked on the map.


    The intelligence officer beside the Vice Admiral nodded and calmly responded to her query.


    "The aerial cavalry are ready for the operation, Vice Admiral. The task force isposed of 12 MH-6M Little Bird and 6 AH-64E Apaches." The aerial cavalry was amongst the vital task force of Operation Hammer of Dawn.


    They were tasked with thinning the herd and guiding it through firepower to the second designated kill zone.


    "Good, get them up in the air and have them initiate the next phase of the operation." Charlotte nodded in satisfaction and ordered the aerial cavalry tomence their mission.


    "Affirmative, Vice Admiral." The intelligence officer nodded and swiftly ryed the orders of the highmand to the aerial cavalrymander.


    Meanwhile, in the recently constructed airstrip inside the Forward Operating Base, numerous aviation personnel were preparing for the helicopter''s flight.


    Various ck Birds and Apaches could be seen in the airstrip, concluding their maintenance and arming process.


    Beside these helicopters were the troops of the 1st Aerial Cavalry Squadron. They lined together and recently finished their debriefing. In front of them was the squadron leader, Lieutenant Colonel Aqu.


    Lieutenant Colonel Aqu resembled a particr soldier from the Vietnam War. He only needed a couple of machine guns in his hands with a cigar in his mouth to be a direct resemnce to that guy.


    "Orders havee in from the top. They want us to take care of these monsters running around the ind and harassing our construction efforts.


    "These bastards are stopping us from acquiring our precious oils and minerals. What do you think should we do to them, men?!"


    Lieutenant Colonel Aqu questioned his troops with a stern tone and angry expression. As expected of the man who resembled that guy from a certain movie.


    "BURN THEM!"


    "LET THEM EAT OUR NAPALM!"


    "HOW DARE THEY TAKE OUR OIL!"


    "GIVE THEM DEMOCRACY!"


    The aerial cavalry troops cried out their war cries and the Lieutenant Colonel grinned in satisfaction. He immediately signaled them to get in their birds and the cavalry was about to start raining democracy from the skies.


    Little Birds were the first to fly from the airstrip followed by the Apaches. These helicopters were armed with several rockets and bombs to ensure the sess of the mission.


    When the helicopters reached the skies, they immediately formed a wing formation and headed towards the areas where thousands of magibeasts roamed about.


    As they flew through the air in a formation, a transmission from Lieutenant Colonel Aqu resounded in the aerial cavalry helicopters.


    *We have reached our delta site. Prepare for the separation. The left wing will handle the north and the right wing will handle the south. Rendezvous in delta site in an ETA of 10 minutes,*


    Upon reaching the delta site or the second designated kill zone, the aerial cavalry separated themselves into two wings. The left and ring wings, which wereposed of 3 Apaches and 6 ck Birds each.


    Their mission was to force the magibeasts into the delta sight through their given firepower. They mustn''t let these monsters spread and escape outward to reproduce more of themselves.


    Following the orders of the Lieutenant Colonel, the aerial cavalry separated into two wings. One headed north and the other headed south.


    Lieutenant Colonel was in the right wing, so he was headed south with his troops. He was inside one of the ck Birds which were armed with rocket pods and machine guns.


    He turned his gaze towards the endless evergreen field of tall slick grass. It reminded him that the foreign world was unique yet not so different from the former one.


    Perhaps, it was good for it to be not so different.


    Five minutes soon passed and the aerial cavalry had arrived at their targets. Below the right-wing task force were hundreds of magibeasts barreling down the ins.


    They charged through the grasnd with charred skin and broken tusks. Some even had various injuries throughout their bodies, but they continued stampeding nheless.


    The herd of magibeasts was heading southward, away from the ongoing second bombardment of UNS Trinity of Sce. But obviously, the aerial cavalry would stop them from getting deeper into the south.


    "This is Cleaver 1, arms check. Ready to fire." In them of the helicopters, the leading Apache began their series of status reports.


    *Cleaver 2, ready!*


    *Cleaver 3, armed!*


    The Apaches were the first to announce their status in themunication line.


    "Cleavers, take them out." Inside one of the Little Birds, Aqu ordered the Apaches to start trimming the numbers of the stampeding magibeasts.


    *BRRRRTTTTTT!!!* *BRRRRRRTTTTTT!!!* *BBBBRRRTTTTT!!!*


    Without hesitation or dy, the chain guns of the Apaches opened fire on the charging herd of magibeasts. Leads rained down from the skies and created a wall of bullets on the left side of the herd.


    These forced the magibeasts to turn right, slowly pointing their direction to the west where the delta site resided.


    When the chain guns weren''t bing as effective as before, the rocket pods strapped onto the Apaches started firing.


    *Swoooosshhh!* *Swiiissshhh!* *Swuuuushhh!* *Swiiiiiiissshhh!*


    *Swuuushh!* *Swoooosshh!* *Swooooooosshhh!* *Swiiiiisshh!*


    Dozens of rockets escaped the confines of their pods and pierced through the air, headed towards the ground. Upon impact, they exploded with a deafening boom.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    Explosions resounded one after another as the brave magibeasts who didn''t adhere to the chain guns exploded into bits of flesh. Corpses soon littered the south, but the herdpletely changed their direction and were not stampeding northwest.


    They were now headed to the delta site of Operation Hammer of Dawn.


    Anyhow, with the sess of the Cleavers, it was time for the Little Birds to do their job. The Apaches soon returned to their formation and became passive.


    It was now the Little Bird''s turn to do the guiding.


    On the left, right, and rear side of the stampeding herd were the guiding Little Birds. When the herd tried to change directions, the birds would open fire and make sure they were back to their original position.


    Of course, this resulted in some corpses being left behind in a charred state.

 Chapter 62: | 062 | Operation Hammer Of Dawn: Delta Site

    A couple of clicks west from the delta site was the first defensive fortification of the Forward Operating Base. Consisting of dozens of pits, barbed wires, sandbags, and spikes, its fortifications seemedcking.


    However, its armaments weren''t to be underestimated.


    In the first defensive fortification were dozens of Humvees, several Bradleys, and an armored toon worth of Abraham tanks. There were also 50. caliber machine gun bunkers scattered throughout the line, bolstering its capabilities.


    Themander of the first defensive line was Lieutenant Colonel Joven, the battalion leader of the 1st Battalion of the United Army.


    He stood amidst the ranks of the first defensive line as the second defensive line was merely a section of the defensive fortifications where the artillery pieces resided.


    At the moment, he dwelled within the forwardmand tent of the first defensive line.


    With him were the four captains of the 1st Infantry Company, 2nd Mechanized Company, 3rd Armored Company, and 4th Artillery Battery.


    In front of the five of them was the small yet detailed topographic map of the area. The defensive line was alreadyplete, they were merely waiting for mobilization.


    "The aerial cavalry have reported that they are 10 clicks away from the delta site. The magibeasts are advancing fast, they want us to prepare for mobilization."


    Lieutenant Colonel Joven said to his officers, to which they responded with a nod.


    "As per our debriefing, the artillery pieces will start firing first. Captain Donnern, is the 4thpany ready?" Joven inquired and the captain nodded before responding.


    "The 4th Artillery Battery is ready, Lieutenant Colonel. The artillery pieces are armed and ready. They only need yourmand before they fire."


    Hearing the response of Captain Donnern, Lieutenant Colonel Joven nodded in satisfaction and uttered to the 4thpany captain.


    "Good, have them double the first firing salvos. ording to the aerial cavalry, we will be dealing with over a thousand magibeasts. One of those already almost reached the size of our cars, so a thousand will be devastating."


    Lieutenant Colonel Joven ordered Donnern to double the first firing salvos of the artillery. This was to make sure that the numbers of the iing magibeasts would be ttened to the ground.


    "Affirmative, Sir. I will be doubling the first salvos." Donnern saluted and the Lieutenant Colonel''s attention turned towards the remaining captains.


    "The 2nd Mechanized Company and 3rd Armored Company will be routing the herd of magibeasts while they dispersed into the ins. On the other hand, the 1st Infantry Company will be dealing with the leftovers."


    "I''m sure we already debriefed them 30 minutes ago, and I don''t have any required changes. So, maintain your directives and follow orders."


    The Lieutenant Colonel asserted to the captains who responded to his words with a salute. Joven once again nodded in satisfaction and ordered them to leave the forwardmand tent.


    "Return to your positions."


    Hearing his orders, the captains left the forwardmand tent one after another bringing about silence to the formerly busy tent.


    "The next ten minutes will be devastating and difficult. But the United Army should be able to do it, especially if we have the trump card of the Fleet Admiral on our side." Joven muttered under his breath.


    A smile soon formed on his face as he remembered some footage of the first naval battle against the sea monsters on the high seas. It was watched during the debriefing, and most newly acquired personnel swiftly became a fan of the legendary dragon.


    After all, a massive eastern dragon was a sight to see. Its head was already 25 meters in height or almost 8 stories. Such a sizable creature that was capable of flight couldn''t be underestimated.


    Several minutes then passed and the transmission from the aerial cavalry arrived at the forwardmand tent.


    *This is Lieutenant Colonel Aqu, ETA of the herd is 30 seconds.* With themunication transmission from Lieutenant Colonel Aqu, Joven swiftly ryed the report to the captains.


    "This is forwardmand, ETA of the magibeast herd into the delta site is 30 seconds. Prepare yourselves."


    After rying the report to the captains, Lieutenant Colonel Joven stepped out of the forwardmand tent.


    He was met with the radiant light of the sun, making him squint his eyelids from its rays. He observed his surroundings as the breeze of wind ruffled his hair.


    "I can already smell democracy." He quietly mumbled and took off.


    Meanwhile¡­ In the second defensive line, the sector where the artillery pieces resided, Captain Donner had recently received the report of the Lieutenant Colonel.


    He turned his head towards his artillery personnel and ordered them to prepare.


    "You have 20 seconds before the bombardment of the delta site." With his words, the artillery personnel got themselves into position and waited for the long-awaited zero.


    And it didn''t take long.


    Captain Donnern turned his gaze and saw the timer reach zero. Without hesitation, he signaled his artillery personnel to fire.


    Seeing the signal of the captain, the artillery personnel immediatelymunicated through the transmission for the firingmission.


    Behind Captain Donnern were a number of Pdins lined up together, there were also some Howitzers in front of them with artillery crews operating them.


    It didn''t take a second before one of the Pdins fired its first shot.


    *BAM!*


    And many more followed.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    The Pdins and Howitzers fired one after another. Their shells pierced through the air and traveled several kilometers to its designated target.


    The deafening sts escaping the confines of the barrels echoed throughout the ins. But Captain Donnern seemed unaffected by the ear-puncturing sounds.


    He continued to observe the horizon where the delta site dwelled with scrutiny.


    In the delta site a couple of clicks from the first defensive line, thousands of magibeasts stampeded through the grasnds with madness. The guiding Little Birds and Apaches had already hovered far before the first artillery fired and maintained their distance since then.


    Other than the hooves of the magibeasts ttening the ground, nothing could be heard in the grasnd. There was only calm, but it changed when the first shell impacted the delta site.


    *BOOM!*


    The first shell caused many bits of flesh to fly off to the heavens before returning back to the earth. Sadly for the herd of magibeasts, though. It was far from the end.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    One after another, the artillery shells exploded throughout the delta site, devastating it to damnation. Explosions resounded inrge numbers as the earth began to tremble.


    Craters shattered the ground and could be seen everywhere along with the smoke and dust it brought up to the air. Luckily for the magibeasts, the shelling calmed down.


    The distraught magibeasts regained their senses and noticed the destruction that surrounded them. Things seemed to be unfortunate to them on this very day.


    However, it was far from over as it was merely the calm before the storm.


    Back to the second defensive line, Captain Donnern stopped staring at the horizon and turned his gaze back to his artillery personnel. With a cold gaze, he soon ordered them with a calm voice.


    "Repeat."

 Chapter 63: | 063 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Defensive Line

    In the first defensive line residing a couple of clicks westward from the delta site were the 1st Infantry Company, the 2nd Mechanized Company, and the 3rd Armored Company.


    Thesepanies numbered over 600 soldiers and a hundred military vehicles, signifying their capabilities of defending the first defensive line.


    Many soldiers prepared themselves behind their sandbags as they heard thunderous echoes brought about by the artillery shelling of the delta site.


    Crimson lights flickered in the distance along with resounding bellowing cries of death and suffering. It was quite a sight, but a familiar one to the soldiers of the United Army.


    "Prepare yourselves!"


    "We are the defense line that separates them and the Port of Dawn. We must not fall." One of the lieutenants leading their toons uttered a short speech.


    It was a simple yet foreboding of what was toe.


    "Sir, reports areing from the aerial cavalry. Hundreds of magibeasts have been directly impacted by the artillery battery. However, dozens of them managed to survive and are stampeding in our direction."


    One of the toon radio operators reported to his lieutenant about the uing defensive battle.


    The lieutenant nodded in understanding after receiving the report of the radio operator and turned his head towards his men.


    "They areing in our direction. The 4th Artillery Battery has killed hundreds of them, so we of the 31st toon of the 1st Infantry Company must not disappoint!"


    "Take out our M72 Laws, the forwardmand has authorized their utilization." With his orders, several infantrymen took out M72 Laws.


    It was a weapon that was always represented closely to the infamous RPG-7 of the Union. It was capable of handling armored vehicles, more than enough against the iing magibeasts.


    "Let''s roast these abominable pigs." Seeing his men arming thews, the lieutenant smirked and looked at the horizon where their adversaries would be stampeding.


    "Can you eat them, though?" One of the infantrymen inquired as it would be useless to let consumable meat rot in the ins.


    "If you want to get diarrhea before dying, you''re free to do so." The lieutenant lightly chuckled as most soldiers had the same idea before knowing of the effects the meat of the monsters could bring to their bodies.


    It didn''t take long before the stampeding magibeasts could be seen from the horizon. When the soldiers saw them, their gaze immediately became determined.


    The distance between the first defensive line and the stampeding herd was one and a half clicks. But it was far enough for the 3rd Armored Company toy waste to the magibeast.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Several Abrahams fired at the charging magibeasts. Their deafening sts resounded throughout the line as smoke escaped the confines of their barrels.


    Dust was sted off, causing them to shroud the forefront. But it didn''t take long for them to dwindle from the line of sight of the first defensive line.


    A number of magibeasts fell to the ground with a hole in their head. They soon crashed, bringing down the magibeasts behind them.


    Obviously, it was far from enough.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    The Abrahams fired their second salvo and brought down dozens of magibeasts in the distance. Blood sttered throughout the ins as bits of flesh were discarded to the ground.


    When the herd of magibeasts reached a click away from the defensive line. It was the Bradleys'' turn to start unleashing lead to the stampeding monsters.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    Their 25mm cannonsid waste to the scales of the boar-like magibeasts, like a hot knife cutting through butter.


    It didn''t take long before the magibeasts were riddled with holes, but these monsters seemed determined and brimming with madness. They didn''t stop charging towards the first defensive line.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    The Abrahams fired once again and the Bradleys followed. They decimated the ranks of the stampeding magibeasts, causing dozens to fall and be corpses lying amongst the tall-slick grasses.


    It didn''t take long before the charging herd reached 0.2 clicks or 200 meters away from the first defensive line. It was now the infantries'' turn to startying hellfire on the magibeasts.


    The soldiers in the first defensive line pointed their M72 Laws towards the stampeding monsters and didn''t hesitate to fire them at them.


    *Woooshh!* *Wooooosh!* Wooosh!* Wwwoooooosshh!*


    With the pull of many triggers, several Laws fired ordnance toward the charging monsters. They pierced through the air and immediately impacted the magibeasts.


    *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!*


    Although the damage the Laws gave to the magibeasts wasn''t as devastating as the first attacks from the Abrahams and the Badgers. They still killed several monsters, which gave the infantry against these car-sized monster boars.


    "Don''t stop firing!"


    "Give them hell, machine gunners!"


    "Take them out!"


    Voices and orders from the lieutenantsmanding their toons echoed throughout the first defensive line.


    On the other hand, the infantrymen efficiently and rapidly reloaded their Laws while also beginning to start firing their 50. Cal machine guns.


    *BBbbbrrrrrttttt!tt!* *Brrrrttttt!* *BBrrrrrttttt!*


    A couple of machine gun bunkers fired at the iing magibeasts, bringing about a storm of leads. It was bing harder for the magibeasts.


    Combined with the firepower of the Armored, Mechanized, and Infantry Companies. The first defensive line seemed to resemble an imprable fortress.


    And even the magibeasts riddled with madness could understand the difference of power. They stood no chance against these metallic monsters that challenged their authority over the ind.


    So, when one magibeasts turned to the side of the battlefield. Many followed like a wave, and so, the first battle between the war of the United Navy and the magibeasts of Crescere ended with the UN''s victory.


    As the echoes of the magibeasts hooves resounded, the cheers of the soldiers resounded louder in the great ins of the eastern grasnd.


    "Yeah!"


    "Freedom!"


    "Damn, I''ll buy all of you beer!"


    Smiles were everywhere when the stampeding magibeasts changed their direction.


    In the forwardmand tent of the first defensive line, Lieutenant Colonel Joven was met with the reports of the aerial cavalry regarding the status of the herd.


    *The stampeding herd of over a hundred magibeasts has changed their directions. They are currently separated into three groups. One heading north, the second heading south, and thest heading east.*


    "Understood, the 2nd Mechanized Company and the 3rd Armored Company will be handling the northern herd." Lieutenant Colonel Joven responded.


    *Affirmative, Lieutenant Colonel Joven. The cavalry will take care of the south.* Lieutenant Colonel Aqu decided to take care of the southern herd.


    Though... The agreement of the two lieutenant colonels makes one wonder about who will handle the herd stampeding to the east. Well, the answer to that was simple.


    In the heavens above the eastern grasnd, a great beast slithered amongst the blue skies and the clouds thaty adrift in itsfort. It was jet-ck in color, reaching a length of 350 meters.


    Electrostatic escaped the confines of its ck scales as its golden eyes seemed to shimmer amidst the fluffy white clouds.


    Its dominating and arrogant gaze was pointed at the ground where dozens of magibeasts hurried in their escape deeper into the great ins.

 Chapter 64: | 064 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Eastern Victory

    In themand center of the Forward Operating Base, Vice Admiral Charlotte sat on herfy chair and read through the battle report of the entire eastern operation. Her cold gaze scrutinizingly read the file before her as she took a sip from her tea.


    From the bombardment of the designated tango to the herding of the stampeding magibeasts, and shelling of the delta site, followed by the defensive of the first line, and finally the hunting of what remained.


    Detailed reports about the recent events were carefully reported through the file.


    The intelligence officers who created the file were, to say the least, very efficient and skilled in their job.


    At any rate, Charlotte continued to sip her tea and didn''t feel much of theplete victory in the eastern operation. It was to be expected after meticulous preparation from the United Navy.


    Even theck of any casualties was within her expectations as she wouldn''t wish to send her men to their deaths. If they would die regardless, she would rather use their deaths to be as effective as possible.


    She disliked needless death that had no gain to anything or anyone. It was why if there was nothing to gain, she''d rather not have her men die.


    Though¡­ Regardless of her thoughts on the matter, there were still many things she needed to do. After all, Operation Hammer of Dawn was far from over.


    "Vice Admiral¡­" Beyond the cover of themand tent was the voice of her subordinate. She turned her grayish and empty eyes towards it before calmly responding.


    "Enter." With her response, an intelligence officer entered themand tent and immediately saluted the Vice Admiral.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte, we have finished forming the reinforcing troops." The intelligence reported to the Vice Admiral.


    The reinforcing troops were soldiers of the eastern operation who could be immediately transported to the northern frontier. With the conclusion of the eastern operation, the Forward Operating Base was filled to the brim with excess ground infantry.


    "Good, get them to be transported to the north through our Chinooks. The November Fleet might need their assistance about the peculiar circumstance of the northern frontier."


    Charlotte ordered the intelligence officer while the other nodded in understanding and continued.


    "The construction team has also marked cements for a dozen oil wells. They can be immediately constructed. And ording to the construction supervisor, it shouldn''t take longer than a week to construct a dozen oil wells."


    It was another piece of good news as every piece of machinery in the United Navy required oil to move. Acquiring a reliable deposit of oil stabilized the machinations of the United Navy''s war machine.


    "I see¡­ Tell the construction force that the United Navy will be willing to help them as long as it is within our capabilities." Charlotte nodded and the intelligence officer took his leave from themand tent after saluting to the Vice Admiral.


    After the intelligence officer stepped out of themand tent, Charlotte sighed while shaking her head. She wouldn''t even think of handling the responsibilities of former operations.


    Being the Executive Officer of the UNS Trinity of Sce was already a dream job, so she had no ns of taking on more operations in the future.


    While one could argue that it could increase her influence, she''d rather not handle the responsibilities of an entire organization.


    She already found herself satisfied with taking care of the modernized battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce.


    "No wonder the Fleet Admiral gave meplete authority over the operation. Quite a trickster." The edges of Charlotte''s lips rose, but it immediately returned to its former calm when another intelligence officer asked for her presence.


    "Get in." Following the aloof voice that escaped her supple lips, another intelligence officer entered themand tent.


    Charlotte set aside the file report as she had finished reading it and turned her attention to the intelligence officer. Her expression was cold despite her attention being pointed at the officer.


    "Vice Admiral, the Fleet Admiral has asked for permission to reinforce the November Fleet in the northern frontier." The intelligence officer brought an interesting topic to the table.


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow as she was a bit confused as to what the Fleet Admiral was trying to do. Most of all, why was the highest ofmand asking for permission?


    "There''s no need for him to ask for permission. He''s the Fleet Admiral, and he can do anything he wants." Vice Admiral Charlotte said in a confused tone.


    "The Fleet Admiral has already anticipated your thoughts and words about the matter, so he asked me to send a message."


    "He said that you''re the highest authority in the operation. Its sess and failure are your responsibility. And technically, he is under yourmand as the captain of the UNS Trinity of Sce."


    The intelligence officer humbly transmitted the counter-argument of the Fleet Admiral. Charlotte was a bit dumbfounded by the argument of that man. She couldn''t help but unveil a slight smile from it.


    Such a smile was clearly seen by the intelligence officer, who was obviously surprised to see the infamous aloof Vice Admiral to be smiling for some reason.


    And naturally, Charlotte took notice of the intelligence officer''s evident shock. She furrowed her eyebrows and coldly warned the officer.


    "You didn''t see anything."


    "I didn''t see anything." The intelligence officer instinctively saluted the Vice Admiral and admitted that he hadn''t seen anything since he entered themand tent.


    "I hope you''ll keep that in mind. You can leave now." Charlotte let the intelligence officer out.


    Without any hesitation or dy, the intelligence took his leave with relief all over his face. He''d rather avoid the wrath of a highmand.


    Meanwhile, silence shrouded themand tent and consumed the surroundings of the Vice Admiral. Charlotte took a deep breath and calmed herself.


    Unfortunately, though, the aloof girl couldn''t have met with the problem dragon in the worst and most embarrassing moment possible.


    "My, my¡­ How cute¡­ The stone girl knows how to smile." The teasing voice of the dragoness resounded in themand tent.


    Lace unveiled herself from the shadows with a smug smirk on her face. It was as though she had discovered something intriguing to mess around with.


    Hearing the teasing words of the problem dragon, Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance. How was it that this problem dragon could appear at the worst moment possible?


    "Oh, my¡­ So you could also get annoyed, how cute¡­" Lace continued while covering her lips with her pale hand and lightly chuckled.


    Charlotte could only turn her head away from the dragoness, trying to hide a tinge of her displeasure.


    On the other hand, on the eastern coast of Crescere, Abraham dwelled inside the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce. He had just received the agreement of the Vice Admiral regarding his reroute to the northern coast.


    He grinned upon seeing the message as sting 16-inch shells was incredibly enjoyable for the Fleet Admiral. It was far better than sitting somewhere and taking care of some random paperwork.


    "As expected, it feels good to be in the seas." He muttered under his breath before ordering his men to their next destination.


    "Turn the heading to the northern coast. We will be reinforcing the November Fleet."

 Chapter 65: | 065 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Northern Frontier

    On the northern coast of Crescere was the November Fleet of the United Navyposed of the UNS Zarya and the UNS Light Bringer. They dwelled near the ind''s coast, fully prepared for what was toe.


    At the moment, they were in the process of analyzing their newly gained intelligence of the deep cave system beneath the northern teau. It was taking some time, but the results were proving to be useful.


    Fortunately for the November Fleet, the entrance and exit of the cave system only resided in one massive mouth in the northernmost of the teau.


    With this, it would be a lot easier and simpler to corner the magibeasts living inside of it. But a question does perpetuate from this intelligence. How would they handle the magibeasts?


    Would they handle the magibeasts through military support of ground and aerial troops? Or will they simply throw warheads and bunker busters into the cave system?


    Inside the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Captain Lux was gued with this thought.


    Military ground and aerial support was reliable but risky. While the other one was difficult to pull off since it would need more detailed intelligence, requiring Marines to perhaps enter the cave system.


    Naturally, doing so proves dangerous as they weren''t dealing with mere animals. These creatures were gargantuan, akin to moving and living cars. Agile ones at that.


    This made Captain Lux hesitant to even think of sending his men to such a dangerous cave system.


    "How should we take care of this precarious circumstance?" Captain Lux muttered under his breath in a questioning tone.


    Thoughts and ideas flooded through his mind before they were interrupted by a voice asking for his attention. Such a voice came from a female intelligence officer.


    Captain Lux raised an eyebrow and nced at the intelligence officer, desiring to know what she wanted to report to him.


    The intelligence officer saluted first before reporting the transmission from the Forward Operating Base to themanding officer of the UNS Light Bringer.


    "Sir, the eastern operation has concluded. The Echo Fleet and the military forces have achievedplete victory over the magibeasts." The victory of the eastern front made the captain''s mood rise.


    It was a piece of good news that the other side had won against these giant beasts.


    "The Vice Admiral is sending reinforcing troops to our frontier. They will be arriving soon, Captain Lux." The intelligence officer stopped for a moment, making the captain think that she had concluded her report.


    But it was far from over.


    "There''s also a reinforcing warship from the Echo Fleet. It ismandeered by the highest ofmand in the United Navy, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. The warship is the UNS Trinity of Sce."


    Thest report of the intelligence officer shocked the captain. It wasn''t within his expectations for the Fleet Admiral''s capital ship to be reinforcing the November Fleet.


    It made him feel honored and gave him some relief.


    "It''s good that the Fleet Admiral will be reinforcing us. The 16-inch guns of the UNS Trinity of Sce will give us better chances against the cave systems." Captain Luxmented since shells were a lot easier to rece than warheads.


    At the very least, they wouldn''t waste dozens of warheads anymore and could simply use the 16-inch guns to punch a hole through the ground.


    With this in mind, an idea struck the captain of the UNS Light Bringer. It was an intriguing yet useful idea for their current circumstance.


    "Can you mark the parts in the cave system that are within 20 meters close to the ground?"Captain Lux asked the intelligence officers.


    They raised their eyebrows and turned their gaze towards the topographic map of the cave system beneath the northernmost of Crescere. It would take some time, but it was possible.


    "We can do so, Sir. But it will take time as we have to analyze the topographic data sent by the ground-prating radar."


    "He is correct, Captain Lux. We also need to understand what kind of rocks and sediments separate the cave system from the ground."


    Two of the several intelligence officers in the Combat Information Center responded. Captain Lux merely nodded at them and ordered.


    "Well, then. Take your time and mark the areas that could be easily prated by our firepower."


    Impatience was the root cause of failure, so Lux gave the intelligence officers their needed time to analyze the topographic intelligence brought by the recon task force.


    The intelligence officers nodded and swiftly went to do their job. While it was a bitplex, it shouldn''t take long before they figured it all out.


    Captain Lux then turned his attention to the monitor screens where various camera feeds of the cave system''s mouth were provided.


    The n he had to strategize inside his mind was simple. It was to create designated tangos through explosive means that would open the cave systems to the ground.


    Through these various openings, they would be able tounch incendiary missiles toward the target and let the fire take care of the magibeasts.


    If the incendiary missiles were proven to be ineffective, the shells and tomahawks of the November Fleet with the UNS Trinity of Sce would bombard them into damnation.


    After all, it was better to fight in open grounds than in intricate mazes that could be considered as the adversaries'' home territory.


    "This is in the assumption of no variables, but I guess that variables should be easily taken care of with firepower." Captain Lux muttered to himself.


    "Sir, a transmission has been received from the UNS Trinity of Sce." Before Lux could continue thinking about the intricacies of his n, one of themunication operators interrupted him.


    Hearing that a transmission from the UNS Trinity of Sce was received, Captain Lux instinctively straightened his back and ordered themunication operator to ept it.


    "Open themunication line with the UNS Trinity of Sce."


    With his orders, themunication operators immediately opened the transmission to the Combat Information Center. The voice of the Fleet Admiral soon escaped the confines of machines.


    "Captain Lux, it''s been a while."


    When Captain Lux heard of the Fleet Admiral''s words, he immediately saluted and responded with honor.


    "The UNS Light Bringer is honored to be reinforced by the Fleet Admiral. We will not waste this opportunity, Fleet Admiral."


    He would have wasted minutes from praising the highest ofmand of the United Navy. However, they didn''t have time for that as they had to strategize for the northern frontier.


    "It should be paramount for me to aid my subordinates in their endeavors. You sound like you have a n, Captain Lux. How about we discuss it?"


    Abraham had his speech already max-leveled from interacting with various subordinates of the United Navy. It was easy to give a response brimming with humbleness.


    Though, it''s not like Abraham was lying about his words. He knew his responsibility to be the foundation of his subordinates and be the backbone of the United Navy.


    He had to act the best for his personnel, not only for its excellent political maneuvers but also for the unified morale of the United Navy.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I shall unveil to you the November Frontier n."

 Chapter 66: | 066 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: November Frontier Plan

    On the northern coast of Crescere was the November Fleet of the United Navy. Recently joining the fleet was the modernized battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce. The capital ship of Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    Within the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Abraham stood at its center with various intelligence officers surrounding him. Captain Lux had recently sent him the detailed strategy of the November Frontier n.


    It wasn''tplex, to say the least.


    The strategy of the November Frontier n was fairly simple. The UNS Trinity of Sce would utilize its 16-inch guns and st the designated markers into damnation.


    ording to the captain, the designated markers were areas with the thinnest barrier of the ground and the cave system. Its rocks and sediments weren''t also extremely densepared to most areas of the northern teau.


    It was practically the perfect target for their operation,


    With this in mind, Abraham wasn''t resistant to the November Frontier n. It was a simple and cost-effective n. However, its results might be somewhat questionable since messing with the internal cave system of the northern teau had unknown effects.


    But nheless, it saved them from needlessly spending the lives of their troops for intelligence and surveince.


    Through this thought process, it was already enough for him to nod in agreement with the given n.


    "Fleet Admiral, 5 minutes until bombardment." One of the intelligence officers reported getting Abraham out of his trance and getting back to reality inside the bridge.


    "Understood, contact the fire control operators. Have them point our guns to the designated markers." Abraham nced at the intelligence officer and nodded before ordering him.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral." The intelligence officer lightly bowed and immediately ryed the Fleet Admiral''s orders to the fire control operators.


    Abraham watched as the intelligence officer contacted the fire control through themunication operators. It didn''t take long before the order was ryed and a response was received.


    "Sir, the fire control is targeting the designated markers. But they are questioning what kind of shell-type we should use for the bombardment." The intelligence officer calmly reported.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow as he remembered that there were shell types that the UNS Trinity of Sce could use. Most of the time, he used the high-explosive shells as they were effective against dealing withrge numbers of adversaries.


    But since the battleship needed to prate through the designated markers, high-explosive shells would be obviously far from enough.


    "Use armor-piercing shells for the bombardment." Abraham immediately answered the intelligence officer. The armor-piercing shells were effective in dealing with underground target prations.


    So, he picked the shell type instead of the former high-explosive shells.


    The intelligence officer nodded and immediately followed up to the waiting fire control. The fire control operators swiftly received the rmendation of armor-piercing shells and rapidly loaded them to the battleship''s guns.


    "How many designated markers have been given to us?" Abraham asked a nearby intelligence officer who instantly responded to his question.


    "The UNS Light Bringer gave us about a dozen designated markers." Hearing the reply of the intelligence officer, Abraham furrowed his eyebrows.


    He found the number too high. They would create too many openings for the magibeasts to escape on. However, if they didn''t strike whatever was avable, their attack might not have been effective.


    Abraham found himself in a pickle, but he soon realized that there was an underutilized reinforcing forceing from the Forward Operating Base.


    An idea soon emerged inside his mind. He turned his jet-ck eyes towards the nearby intelligence officer and ordered her to contact the iing troops.


    "Get me in line ofmunication with the reinforcing troops."


    The intelligence officer promptly followed the Fleet Admiral''s orders and had the radio operators open amunication line with the iing reinforcing troops.


    It didn''t take long and the transmission was opened.


    "Fleet Admiral, it is an honor to be under yourmand." A grumpy voice escaped the confines of the radio.


    "The honor is mine. There is something I want your troops to do." Abraham epted the honor of the random personnel and quickly went into the subject.


    "The November Fleet is about tomence the November Frontier n. We will be opening a dozen holes in the northern teau and sending incendiary missiles into them."


    "However, there is no reliable confirmation that the magibeasts wouldn''t start rushing out of the cave. So, I want your troops to take care of the escaping magibeasts."


    "It''s better to clean everything up than deal with a problematic issueter on." He calmly exined the November Frontier n and ordered the reinforcing troops what they needed to do for it.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. Send us the locations of the openings and we will maintain distance until the conclusion of the November Frontier Operation." The grumpy voice of the other side wasn''t against the orders of the Fleet Admiral and instantly epted it.


    "Good, I''ll send you the marker locations." Abraham nodded and nced at his intelligence officer, giving a signal to send the locations of the designated markers to the reinforcing troops.


    With their assistance, he wouldn''t have to worry about magibeasts escaping the cave system who would start procreating in thousands once again.


    It was another possible problem that was dealt with through sufficient preparation and procedures.


    Perceiving the nce of the Fleet Admiral, the intelligence officer quickly moved and sent the locations of the designated markers.


    "Locations received, Fleet Admiral. We will be waiting for the November Frontier n''s conclusion." The voice from the other side confirmed the acquisition of designated mark intelligence.


    "Good, I''ll hear your reportter." Abraham nodded and themunication line between the UNS Trinity of Sce and the reinforcing troops got cut off.


    Following it was themencing of the November Frontier n. An intelligence officer stepped forward and reminded the Fleet Admiral of its initiation.


    "Sir, it''s time for the first phase of the November Frontier n." With the words of the intelligence officer, Abraham nced at his watch and saw 5 seconds remaining.


    He swiftly looked at the officers and ordered the firing of the UNS Trinity of Sce''s 16-inch guns.


    "November Frontier nmencing! Open fire to the designated marks, four salvos." What followed his orders was the immediate sts of the 16-inch naval guns.


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    The UNS Trinity of Sce trembled from the firepower unleashed by the 16-inch guns. me and smoke escaped each and every barrel of the turrets while small tides formed in the ship''s starboard.


    Every naval personnel on the bridge watched the northern coast before hearing the confirmations of various intelligence officers.


    "All designated marks, hits confirmed!"


    Hearing the report of the intelligence officer, the next salvo immediately followed.


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    The sts of the naval guns rang throughout the modernized battleship. It shook from the firepower brought about by the salvo, but it maintained its bnce with ease.


    However, another salvo followed without any hesitation or dy.


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    Abraham stood his ground and observed the northern coast closely. Shelling an entire coast was an intriguing feeling to have, and it made him wonder what a bombarded army would look like.


    ''Wait, wait¡­ I''m not a madma-''


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    The final salvo finally sted from the barrels of the 16-inch naval guns and the first phase of the November Frontier n reached its conclusion.


    Following the explosive and deafening sts was silence, Abraham turned his gaze towards the intelligence officer who analyzed the data being sent from the designated markers.


    "All shells are hit confirmed, Fleet Admiral! An opening is currently residing throughout all of the twelve designated markers." The report of the intelligence officer made Abraham sigh.


    He nodded at her and immediately ordered themunication operators on the bridge.


    "The first phase has beenpleted. Send the locations of the openings to the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya. Have them start the second phase of the November Frontier n."


    With Abraham''s orders, themunication operators sent the newly gained intelligence data to the data link for the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya to unveil.


    From thepletion of the data transmission, the job of the UNS Trinity of Sce had ended. It was the frigate''s and destroyer''s turn.


    "Data intelligence sent, Fleet Admiral. Intelligence officers from the other side have confirmed the data transmission''s sess." Themunication operator reported to Abraham.


    ''Finally¡­'' Abraham thought to himself and closed his eyelids. He wanted to rx and relinquish himself from responsibility, but as the Fleet Admiral, it wasn''t something he could do.


    Besides, there were still many things he needed to do for the United Navy.


    ''I''m getting somewhat jealous of that dragoness.'' He thought while watching the lines of the boundless horizon.


    Meanwhile, in the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer. Captain Lux was recently informed of the intelligence data sent by the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    He understood that it was time for phase two of the November Frontier n. So, he immediately ordered his subordinates to target the locations sent by the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    "Target the received locations. Open the VLS caps of the incendiary missiles. Fire two dozen of them toward the targets. Each target will receive two incendiary missiles for utter effectiveness."


    Captain Lux''s orders were numbered. But his naval personnel efficiently followed them. They moved swiftly and fast inside the Combat Information Center as the captain watched the monitor screens showing the northernmost of the northern teau.


    It didn''t take long before he heard an intelligence officer''s voice.


    "Captain, VLS systems are ready!"

 Chapter 67: | 067 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Erupting North

    On the northern coast of Crescere, various incendiary missiles wereunched from the VLS pods of UNS Light Bringer and UNS Zarya. They pierced through the air and swiftly propelled themselves into the heavens.


    *Wooooshh!* *Wiiiiiishh!* *Wuuushh!*


    Leaving behind trails of smoke throughout their respective warships, dozens of incendiary missiles propelled themselves to their respective target locations of openings scattered throughout the northern frontier.


    Inside the Combat Information Center, Captain Lux watched their missiles fly through the blue skies and sink deeper into the far distance. It didn''t take long for them to be a dot from far away.


    "36 missiles have beenunched from the November Fleet, Captain Lux. Three of them are targeting a single vital opening created by the bombardment of the UNS Trinity of Sce." An intelligence officer calmly reported.


    Captain Lux nodded and continued observing the direction in which the northern coast of Crescere resided. This would probably cause a lot of devastation in its wake.


    Especially the underground cave system. It would probably be engulfed with a high-temperature me that would expand and burn anything in its way.


    The only thing they could do was lessen the damage it would bring to the outside.


    Afterward, they would probably have to investigate the cave system and understand its inner workings so as to not identally make it copse. However, this was in the expectation that it wouldn''t copse when its amassed gas ignites into mes.


    If it does copse, then there would be simply no underground cave system in the northernmost part of Crescere.


    But it was a good price to pay to deal with the giant creatures that spread like gue. It was akin to destroying a cancer before it could grow to be a problem.


    Its destruction practically paves the way for growth and stability for the United Navy.


    "This should be it for them." Captain Lux muttered under his breath and stopped staring at the northern coast of Crescere.


    Meanwhile¡­ On the northern teau of Crescere. There was calm and silence as the breeze of wind fluttered throughout the heavens. It was the day of tranquility for the north. However, things would soon change for the region.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Several explosions echoed out into the northern teau. The earth trembled from their power as smoke sted out into the open blue skies. But it was far from the end, merely the beginning of what was toe.


    *BOOOOMMM!!!* *BOOMM!!!* *BOOOM!!!* *BOOOOMMMM!!!*


    What followed was an array of reactions as the insides of the underground cave system ignited into hellish mes. The ground shook in a hurried manner since beneath them were explosions pushing outward into thend.


    The openings of the underground cave system that was impacted by various missiles erupted like a volcanic reservoir as though containing magma. It was a magnificent and horrifying sight, heralding man''s capabilities against nature.


    Echelons of birds flew to the skies, misunderstanding the explosions as the ind''s impending doom. They flew off into the sea to find another shelter that could be their home.


    However, some circled around the northern teau for quite a time before realizing that it wasn''t the ind''s doom that they had felt but a mere disaster brought to life by man.


    It took some time for things to calm down in the northern teau. ck smoke emanated from the openings and tapped into the blue skies, but nothing else seemed affected by it.


    A kilometer away from the openings were the reinforcing troops sent by the Forward Operating Base. Aboard several transport helicopters such as ck Hawks, they followed their orders and observed the openings for any signs of activities.


    The ck Hawks circled around the fiery openings and took their time investigating them with scrutiny. After a couple of minutes of tense observations, no activities could be seen on the openings.


    It signified that the adversary was defeated or utterly knocked out and awaiting their end. Nheless, regardless of the actual truth. It was a victory for the November Fleet.


    Near the mouth of the cave system, ck smoke continued to puff out while hot temperatures escaped it. The November Reconnaissance Task Force tasked with surveying it noticed the inactivity of the mouth.


    There were no movements as though everything beyond the fiery me was burnt into damnation. And so, they also swiftly reported their findings to the November Fleet.


    After all, this was what they desired for their operation''s conclusion. It wasn''t troublesome and no unknown variable emerged. Aplete victory for the United Navy.


    One of the aviation officers inside the ck Hawk of the recon task force nced at hismunication operator and ordered her to send the status report to the November Fleet.


    "Open transmission with the November Fleet, send them the gathered intelligence of the devastated underground cave system." Hearing his orders, themunication operator nodded in understanding.


    She opened a transmission line with the November Fleet and followed through with her given orders. The data intelligence should give awareness of the current status of the north.


    The same could also be said with other ck Hawks. They sent their gathered intelligence, which should be immediatelypiled by the intelligence officers aboard the warships of the November Fleet.


    Though speaking of the November Fleet, they had recently received the reports of the recon task force and the reinforcing troops. It was pieces of good news, emerging one after another.


    "Sir, no activities have been detected from the openings and the mouth of the underground cave system. The November Frontier n was a sess." An intelligence officer reported with clear excitement.


    It was understandable as most expected an unknown variable to appear during the duration of the November Frontier n. Fortunately, for the reports, there was nothing.


    The adversaries they sought to defeat were clearly devastated into damnation. There was nothing left of the magibeasts inside the underground cave system other than the ashes.


    The edges of Captain Lux''s lips rose as he felt relief emanating from his chest. It was hard when you were leading an entire fleet in the northern frontier. He was lucky that his Fleet Admiral came to help.


    "That is good. Compile the intelligence data sent by the reconnaissance task force and have them transmitted to the UNS Trinity of Sce and the Forward Operating Base." Captain Lux ordered his naval personnel, who nodded upon hearing it.


    They swiftly followed through with his orders. The intelligence officers efficientlypiled the data received from the northern frontier and gave them to themunication operators who would transmit it directly to the data link.


    On the other hand, in the UNS Trinity of Sce. Abraham was recently notified by the intelligence sent by the November Fleet to the data link. It was immediately written to a report and sent to him directly.


    He calmly read the report, detailing the damage in the cave system and the inferno they have created. No activities could be detected afterward, signifying their victory in the northern frontier.


    With this report, the Fleet Admiral smiled as this was a significant milestone. The small-scale war they waged against these monsters was practically over and they won.


    ''I guess it''s finally over.'' Abraham silently thought to himself while looking at the northern coast. After some preparation, they would probably be ready to return to the Port of Dawn.


    "I hope we won''t have to wage wars after this. It''s too costly." He sighed to himself as warring practically sank wealth to an abysmal oblivion.


    It would be foolish to conduct another special operation without the establishment of self-reliance and trade. So, he hoped that they wouldn''t have to do it until everything was fully prepared.


    ''However, things would always go far from expectations. I shouldn''t hesitate when the timees.'' But he also understood his responsibility as the Fleet Admiral.


    When wares to the doorstep of the United Navy. He mustn''t hesitate because of the so-called future implications. After all, the moment they lost, there would be no future to worry about.


    "But I wonder how the reactions of those two would be," Abraham smirked, remembering Charlotte and Lace staying in the Forward Operating Base.


    His Vice Admiral would probably not even think of epting any authority over operations in the future. So, he needed to find another target.


    ''Lace?'' He thought of the dragoness before shaking his head in rejection. The problem dragon was too troublesome. She might cause more issues for them instead of relieving them.


    Meanwhile, in the Forward Operating Base, Lace furrowed her eyebrows, which was immediately noticed by Charlotte. The Vice Admiral nced at the dragoness and inquired.


    "Is there something wrong?"


    Lace looked at Charlotte before responding with a scrutinizing gaze.


    "There''s nothing wrong. It just feels like something or someone is mocking me behind my back. Whoever it is. I must teach them a lesson." She clenched her fist as her instincts never failed her.


    "I see¡­" Charlotte waspletely indifferent and continued to do her job as the Vice Admiral. But Lace felt offended by her indifference and pouted.


    "What do you mean ''I see''? Why should anyone mock this glorious dragoness." Lace responded with deep pride while Charlotte continued signing through the reports.


    No response came, irking the dragoness even further.


    "As expected of stone-faced," Lace remarked while pouting.


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow and was about to reply before an intelligence officer ran inside themand tent. Both the Vice Admiral and the legendary dragoness gazed at her.


    She was panting heavily and waved a piece of paper with excitement.


    "Vice Admiral, we have received news from the northern frontier! We won!"

 Chapter 68: | 068 | Aftermath

    The Operation Hammer of Dawn ended in the victory of the United Navy. The ind of Crescere was cleansed of magibeasts, bringing about human dominance over its entirety. Though, it wasn''t without a price.


    Fortunately, however, the price wasn''t in the form of naval personnel''s lives. It was merely resources, which was used as the fuel of the special operation.


    But as said before, the special operation was paramount for the stability and survival of the United Navy. It was something that needed to be done. Otherwise, the United Navy will be heading to eventual copse.


    After all, they wouldn''t be able to exploit the natural resources of the ind, making their supply continue to be-negative.


    With the ensured authority of the United Navy over Crescere, they would have no worries about building anything they wanted. They wouldn''t need to be anxious about random assaults happening throughout their forces on the ind.


    Following the victory of the United Navy was the aftermath. Numerous construction and mining vehicles were being sent into the northern teau and eastern grasnd.


    In the eastern grasnd, they were constructing over a dozen oil wells for resource collection. It shouldn''t take long before the oil wells would be operational and their oil supplies would stabilize.


    On the other hand, on the northern teau, they mined a quarry at its apex. Various esctors, trucks, and mining vehicles were sent into the northern teau as its minerals provided them the materials needed to be used for manufacturing.


    It was going well for the United Navy and the days following Operation Hammer of Dawn were calm. The highway was also slowly being turned into an actual one with asphalt roads. However, it will take time for the asphalt reinforcement to bepleted.


    But these weren''t the most amazing things that happened after the special operation. The beastfolk refugee camp had expanded farther into the ind.


    With the guidance and assistance of the United Navy, the beastfolk were able to construct a modern suburb for themselves. It even had its own center, which was currently being used for outdoor education.


    The second project after the modern suburbs was the construction of a school for the beastfolk refugees. The moment the school project waspleted. It wouldn''t take long before the beastfolk integrated into the United Navy.


    Though¡­ Speaking of the beastfolks, their rtionship with the United Navy was growing. Abraham could clearly see it through his perk. Most of them shone with golden light, signifying their admiration and loyalty towards him and the naval force.


    Naturally, this brought pride to the Fleet Admiral. After all, who wouldn''t? Being respected because of your hard work was something appreciative of. Even the most stoic ones wouldn''t resist it.


    Other than that, things were going well for both the beastfolk and the United Navy.


    But, things were different with the prisoners of war. A prison camp had recentlypleted its construction and most prisoners were sent to work there.


    Most of the jobs they had were woodcutting as wood was something the beastfolk refugees incredibly needed. It was quite interesting to have free workers to be honest.


    Other than giving them food and shelter, you didn''t even have to spend wages. Though, while it was intriguing, none inside the United Navy nned to open up very.


    It was too against their ethos to be initialized. And most naval personnel considered very as disgusting. The war prisoners were merely given a temporary solution.


    In truth, no one in the United Navy wanted to keep the prisoners of war. If possible, they would have thrown the men to the sea and left them there. Sadly, they couldn''t as it was their duty to imprison surrendering enemies.


    After various interrogations, the xenophobic sentiments went deeper than expected. They practically thought of the beastfolk as animals destined to be owned by humanity.


    It was a horrifying thought process, but sadly this was themon sense of humanity in this world. The discovery of this singr fact ensured something inside Abraham''s mind.


    The United Navy and the humanity of this world would never see in terms. While temporary peace was probable, it shouldn''t take too long before conflict explodes.


    In case this does happen, the only thing he could do was prepare for the inevitable. Luckily for them, humans weren''t the only sapient race in this world. Other than the beastfolks, there were the elves, dwarves, orks, and seafolks.


    The usual fantasy races.


    ording to further interrogation, the elves were the progenitors of magicraft before humanity picked it up. But the elves were hidden in Yggdrasil, a giant tree somewhere in this foreign world.


    Those who did leave the tree were incredibly powerful mages. Even human countries would have to be hospitable when meeting one as they have wisdom ranging over thousands of years.


    Abraham wanted to meet a member of this race. After all, he never saw an elf personally with his eyes. It would be interesting to see one.


    However, it might take some time and take a lot of work. The rtionship between humanity and elvenkind was far from peaceful. The humans were considered savages that tainted magicraft, which was understandable.


    After all, the moment humanity unlocked its potential for magic. They went deeper into the path of nepotism, arrogance, and conquering.


    He would probably have to prove that the United Navy was far different, but that was for the future. After all, it wasn''t clear that there were elves in the Ferus Sea.


    Even the captured prisoners of war merely heard them from rumors. Nothing more, nothing less, which was somewhat unfortunate.


    Nheless, it makes one look forward to the future.


    After all, this was a fantasy world.


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the high seas, dozens of wooden debris floated atop the blue water. It was the leftover of the escort ships and the ve-trade merchant ship, Pinguis Arca.


    Most of the debris had floated off into far distances, awaiting tond on some random beach. Those that were left behind were nothing more but parts of the keels, rudders, and masses.


    The tide was calm, despite the untold destruction warned by the wooden debris floating about in the high seas. But this calm would soon be disturbed.


    Nearby the debris field was the distortion of the air. Mist soon emerged out of nowhere and shrouded the once-clear waters of the high seas. Following the white mist was the howl of wood crunching onto one another, and after it was shadows.


    One gargantuan shadow made its appearance, and the second one followed. Sadly, it wasn''t the end. Many more shadows emerged, each of them massive in size.


    They resembled ships but were fairly bigger than anything else ever seen before. With a wooden mass reaching over a hundred meters and a lion figurehead on its bow, it presented itself as dominant and monumental.


    These ships soon sailed out of the mist, unveiling their true colors.


    All of them were gargantuan battleships reaching a length of 150 meters each. This was the expansionary fleet of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Amongst the greatest fleet sailing the Ferus Sea, a symbol of humanity''s dominance over the ocean.


    It was the Fleet of Principatus Humanum.

 Chapter 69: | 069 | Crusaders of Humanity

    *Knock!* *Knock!*


    "Captain Stolz, it seems that we have arrived at our destination." Knocking on the captain''s quarters was the First Mate of the capital battleship, Evesting Sun. They were sent to investigate the situation of the escort ships and the merchant ship, Pinguis Arca.


    "Our destination, huh?" Opening the door of the captain''s quarter was a buff man wearing a medieval captain''s uniform. He was Captain Stolz, themander of Evesting Sun.


    As he stepped out of his quarters, the sun shone over his body unveiling his bald head and patched left eye. He only needed a hook to be a stereotypical pirate captain, though in reality, he was far from an actual one.


    He was themander of Evesting Sun, the capital battleship of the Fleet Principatus Humanum.


    The fleet was an expansionary force of Europa that would pave the way for newer colonies to be built in foreign seas. They would fight against locals and dominate the sea region, giving way to humanity''s development.


    They nned to return to Europa for maintenance, but as they passed through the sea region of the Colonial Dominion of Terra, its Viceroy reported to them strange urrences.


    So, before returning to the continent, they decided to investigate the disappearance of the escort ships and the merchant ship Pinguis Arca.


    Captain Stolz walked towards the wooden railings of the medieval battleship where two hundred cannons pointed to the starboard. Anything that met the firing range of these cannons would instantly be decimated into debris.


    He soon noticed the wooden boards and debris floating throughout the tide and felt a whiff of charred flesh.


    "It seems that they were attacked by sea monsters." Captain Stolz remarked, but the First Mate raised an eyebrow and reminded him of the reports sent by Pinguis Arca to the Viceroy.


    "ording to the Viceroy, the captain of Pinguis Arca spoke about a strange metallic ship chasing after them. I doubt the captain would misunderstand a sea monster as some ship."


    Hearing the words of the first mate, Captain Stolz raised an eyebrow. A metallic warship was something that was already done in Europa. But their size didn''t exceed 50 meters yet as they were extremely heavypared to wood.


    While they do provide high defense against cannon balls, such capabilities were already avable in their warships through the acquisition of War Masters.


    "Perhaps all of them were eaten by the herd of sea monsters. After all, it is rare for any ship to handle a herd of them. Most would sink and disappear from the high seas."


    "But¡­" Captain Stolz furrowed his eyebrows as there was something that bothered him the most.


    "These parts of the sea region aren''t in the known sea routes of Leviathan Herds. It was practically improbable for the escort ships and merchant ships to sumb in one."


    "Unless, of course, it was the War Masters that called upon them." Captain Stolz wasn''t far from the truth. With the inclusion of the escort ships containing War Masters of their own, it wasn''t far-fetched to conclude that the sea monsters were called upon.


    "But why?" The First Mate questioned since calling upon sea monsters was suicide. Even activating such a forbidden spell required them to use their own lives to amplify its range to be effective.


    "It''s obvious¡­ They lost against the so-called metallic warship. As a final stand of dragging the ship with them, they activated the forbidden spell, Siren''s Call, onto this sea." Captain Stolz calmly stated while observing the debris field.


    "Doesn''t that mean that the Leviathans have already sunk that ship?" The First Mate remarked, but Captain Stolz shook his head and rejected her words.


    "It''s far from simple, right, War Master Theodore?" After shaking his head, Captain Stolz nced at the old man beside him.


    "As expected of the captain, you have great instincts." War Master Theodore was the head war master of the Evesting Sun. He was amongst the strongest War Masters in the Ferus Sea.


    "There are mana disruptions throughout the sea. A great battle has taken ce in these very waters. From the cries of mana, there is an Elder Leviathan. But an unknown mana is seeping along with the waters."


    "It''s incredibly hidden, but very clear once discovered. It appears that things really are far from simple, Captain Stolz." Theodore''s gaze turned cold as he continued.


    "The Dragoness was here, fighting the Elder Leviathan."


    When Captain Stolz heard of the dragoness, he clenched his fist and furrowed his eyebrows. The dragon that had disappeared had finally reappeared.


    "I didn''t think that she would be in the Colonial Dominion of Terra. After all, it is far from the safest ce to be with its proximity to Europa." Captain Stolz remarked and continued.


    "It looks like she handled the Elder Leviathan that was brought along with the herd."


    Unexpectedly, however, Theodore shook his head and uttered with aloofness.


    "It wasn''t she that took care of the Elder Leviathan, Captain Stolz. Metallic warships were the ones that killed it. She only made it stationary, judging from the enveloping mana along the Elder Leviathan''s mana."


    "The sea monster practically exploded into bits. These metallic warships have more significant firepower than us." The situation was something that needed to be taken seriously.


    The words of Theodore resounded in Captain Stolz''s mind. An unknown force was hiding in the sea region of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. If they didn''t handle it, the force might grow into somethingrger.


    Such things must be prevented especially with the Colonial Dominion of Terra being the gateway of Europa into the Ferus Sea.


    "It seems that we need to make a call with the Sovereigns." Captain Stolz asserted before the wooden battleship trembled. Some crewmen lost their bnce and fell, but most handled it with ease.


    "Captain!" A crewman yelled while pointing at the sea.


    Captain Stolz walked towards him, and upon arriving beside the crewman, he saw a gargantuan carcass brimmed with explosive wounds. His eyes became colder the more he gazed upon the corpse of the Elder Leviathan.


    "Call the Sovereigns!"

 Chapter 70: | 070 | United Navy Expansion

    A few weeks have passed since thepletion of Operation Hammer of Dawn. The United Navy had been growing and expanding its size to amodate its firepower. And it was a lot of work for the Fleet Admiral.


    First was the finalization of the resource collection facilities such as the oil wells in the eastern grasnd and the quarry in the northern teau. With these two producing resources for the United Navy, the Port of Dawn''s manufacturing capabilities were fully utilized.


    Second was the implementation of the beastfolk''s suburban area. It resided outside of the Port of Dawn, slowly resembling a town of its own. The beastfolk refugees have alsopletely opened up to the United Navy and were also assisting in its operations.


    The poption of the beastfolk numbered around over a hundred, but this number was expected to grow as they nned to start another operation a monthter to start liberating nearby dominated ind tribes.


    Third was the expansion of the United Navy''s Fleet. Beforehand, the United Navy had four warships under itsmand. There was the UNS Light Bringer, UNS Zarya, UNS Guardian of the High Seas, and UNS Trinity of Sce.


    These four ships, while numerous, were far from enough to handle maritime security operations. Especially with the advent of possible hostile forces, they needed to take their maritime security pretty seriously.


    With this in mind, Abraham used his remaining source points, to buy four warships from the store. It costs about 1,000 source points purchasing four Admiral-Gorshkov ss Frigates.


    Including these four frigates, the warships of the United Navy have finally reached a somewhat significant number of eight. Abraham wanted to increase the number of warships even further, but he needed to expand or perhaps level up the Port of Dawn to support the logistics needed for more warships.


    The four Admiral-Gorshkov ss Frigates were given their respective names. The first one was UNS Marina, UNS Svena, UNS Alyona, and UNS Lenya.


    Along with the UNS Zarya, these four frigates formed the first official fleet of the United Navy. The Fleet was amply named, the Red Fleet.


    At the moment, the Red Fleet was tasked with maritime security, making them perform sea surveince missions once a month. These missions also expanded the area of influence that the United Navy had, bringing about greater authority in the high seas.


    Following the inclusion of the frigates, the poption of the United Navy entered 8,000 and was about to reach the threshold of 9,000. Obviously, they were increasing in numbers.


    Other than the suburban area of the beastfolks, the United Navy also needed to construct residential blocks to support more of their poption. Entertainment, logistics, andw enforcement were also being increased in the Port of Dawn.


    Speaking of the poption, it would be far from possible to support it without food. So, the United Navy set up farms outside of the suburban area of the beastfolks.


    At first, the United Navy was adamant about not opening their technology to the beastfolk regardless of their rtionship, but their farming techniques weren''t as effective in this world, bringing about problems for them.


    They needed the help of the beastfolks who had already adapted to the environment of the foreign world, and the beastfolks seemedmitted to helping them.


    As such, the beastfolk and the United Navy had a joint operation of maintaining the farms, further increasing their rtions.


    The beastfolks have also met with the dragoness, Lace, who considers her their guardian deity. Lace didn''t seem satisfied with it, which was somewhat unexpected.


    After all, Abraham would have expected her to rabble about it on his face about how much of a great dragon she was.


    In the end, though¡­ Lace had to ept the title given by the beastfolks with the efforts of the Vice Admiral and the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. She seemed displeased by the title, but she epted it nheless.


    She needed to help her friend, Abraham, and she also understood why he wanted her to pick up the title.


    Now that we have spoken about Lace, let us talk about the most important thing in the subject. Was she finally epted into the United Navy and hired by Abraham?


    Well¡­ Yes, of course. It would be foolish not to ept a dragon into their ranks. Though, unexpectedly, she didn''t join the United Navy, but the United Army instead.


    She was better suited with the United Army, as in the United Navy, she would have tomand warships, which wouldn''t be suited for her character.


    The dragoness in the United Army caused a lot of waves throughout the Port of Dawn. The personnel of the United Navy and the United Army were scuffling and fighting on who to get her. After all, as said before, who wouldn''t want to have a dragon with them?


    At any rate, the problem was taken care of when the Vice Admiral intervened before it got worse. Reasons were stated throughout the Port of Dawn about why the dragoness got thrown into the United Army instead of the United Navy.


    After hearing such sound reasoning from the highmands, both sides decided to stop fighting over it. So, Lace was dutifully sent to the United Army without much issue.


    Following that, there were also the prisoners of war. The prison camp expanded and the prisoners adapted after weeks of imprisonment under the United Navy. They weren''tining as much as before and were doing their given jobs without resistance.


    Though¡­ That didn''t mean that the rtionship between the United Navy and the prisoners was heading in a positive direction. The prisoners were still xenophobic to the beastfolks and refused to see eye to eye with the United Navy.


    Some even considered the United Navy as infidels for siding with animals instead of their own.


    It was quite hectic, but Abraham let Lace handle the prisoners of war for rtions between themselves and the beastfolk. She should be able to make them stand in line.


    A lot of things have happened in the Port of Dawn throughout the past few weeks. It was an intriguing experience to go through as the Fleet Admiral, but it was manageable.


    "It''s already been over a month since I transmigrated into this foreign world." Inside the admiral''s office of the branch building, Abraham sat on his luxurious chair while staring through the windows.


    They have gone through quite a lot of battles. From the sea to thend, they fought and achieved victory over their adversaries. It was also without deaths.


    But he knew that things wouldn''t be as easy as before anymore. The continent Europa was turning its gaze towards this sea, trying to search for them.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    While Abraham was wrapped around his thoughts, someone knocked on the door to his office. He got out of his trance and nced at the door while responding.


    "Get in."


    When he uttered such words, the door opened revealing Charlotte who was holding another batch of files. It seems another report was about to be given, but from Charlotte''s cold face, it looks like things were far from simple.


    "You look like someone stole your cake while you were quietly eating in a private location," Abraham muttered with a smile as he gazed at Charlotte''s empty yet grayish eyes.


    "That sounds awfully specific and familiar¡­ Wait, you saw that." Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows before raising them in surprise. There was a time when the problem dragon took her cake away from her.


    That bastard actually had the gall to take a bit of it in front of her before running off somewhere into the branch building.


    Naturally, Charlotte gave chase. It took hours for them to stop as Abraham had to force them into a stop since they were disturbing the personnel in the branch building.


    "I saw that from beginning to end," Abraham smirked while Charlotte wondered why the Fleet Admiral didn''t stop the two of them. It was then she realized that he was getting amusement while watching them from afar.


    "You actually took pleasure from my suffering," Charlottemented and squinted her gaze towards the Fleet Admiral. Abraham avoided her eyes and looked away while whistling.


    "I won''tment on that."


    Charlotte sighed when she heard of the Fleet Admiral''s words and decided to start reporting their recent discovery about the geopolitical and sociopolitical situation of their sea region.


    "Fleet Admiral, we have discovered that the Colonial Dominion of Terra is searching for our trail. They are slowly getting closer to our home ind. ording to our intelligence analysts, it shouldn''t take longer than a week before we get discovered."


    Now, that was a piece of bad news. Concealment was always an advantage for a force that didn''t want to reveal itself, especially to higher powers. So, losing that status would be problematic for the United Navy.


    "That''s faster than I expected. I thought it would take a month longer from our previous understanding of the situation." Abrahammented while furrowing his eyebrows.


    "It should have taken a month, Fleet Admiral. But the Colonial Dominion of Terra has wyvern riders expanding their scope of search." Charlotte responded as to why it was faster than before.


    "Wyvern riders, huh¡­ I expect them to be the ones that we took care of during our first maritime security mission." Abraham remembered the flying adversaries that were heading towards them in the first naval mission of the United Navy.


    "Yes, although I wasn''t there. They should be the ones that were terminated through anti-air missile-" Before Charlotte could continue speaking, someone tapped on her cheeks making her body instinctively squirm.


    "What''s the serious face about?" A teasing voice escaped her supple lips. Her white hair unveiled itself from the darkness as her body followed. She wore an officer uniform with the rank of Lieutenant.


    She was none other than the dragoness, Lace.

 Chapter 71: | 071 | Short Meeting Between The Three

    "Lace, you actually became a lieutenant in a span of a week." Abraham raised his eyebrows after he looked at the dragoness from top to bottom. He immediately noticed the insignia on her humble chest, which was the insignia of an army lieutenant.


    "Well¡­ She is rather an intriguing subject, to be honest." Charlotte decided to ignore what the problem dragon had done to her and responded to the remark of the Fleet Admiral.


    Even she was somewhat surprised at first, but after reading through various reports, it became understandable.


    "Sounds like she''s having the time of her life." Abraham sighed while Lace pouted and leaned on his office desk while ruffling his jet-ck hair.


    "I''m just a bit experienced." Lace rified and continued ruffling over his dark hair with her pale hand. On the other hand, Charlotte nced at Lace with an obvious ''I don''t believe you face,'' which was immediately noticed by Abraham.


    "Do you care to exin, Vice Admiral Charlotte?" Abraham decided to inquire about how the dragoness managed to rise through the ranks of the United Army.


    "I shall do so, Fleet Admiral." Lace calmly nodded while straightening her back. Lace felt confused as to why her friends were acting like her ability to rise ranks was something serious.


    "Lieutenant Lace''s capabilities to lead soldiers aren''t to be underestimated. While it was antiquated at first, through learning modern tactics, strategies, and doctrines, she managed to adapt with ease.


    "And so, she demonstrated hermandeering skills which were deeply appreciated by her toon. During the training exercise between toons, her toon managed to rise second to the top. This was without the application of her dragon physique or transformation."


    "Despite her arrogance, She also gets along with other personnel without much of a problem.This elevates her sociability, which should be in higher standards." Charlotte expounded everything without much of a problem.


    Abraham found himself in silence as he couldn''t believe what he just heard. The dragoness actually had skills other than being a beautiful dragon? Shouldn''t the world be bnced? What the hell was happening.


    "Hehehe, it''s just something I picked up. It''s nothing special." Lace gave an awkward smile while rubbing the back of her head as though she was embarrassed by the praise.


    And the dragoness was actually being humble? The more the conversation continued, the stronger Abraham''s hate against the world became. She was already strong and beautiful, but why did she be smarter and more sociable than him?


    Not only that, the problem dragon was not acting humble. The arrogant dragoness would always announce her self-proimed titles to everyone she met for the first time.


    *Ding!*


    | The world was never fair, Fleet Admiral. |


    ''Shut it, Systema.'' Abraham felt a nerve pop in his forehead when he heard the monotone yet smug tone of Systema. It felt like salt was being rubbed on his wound.


    "Don''t pretend like you just learned how tomand soldiers for the first time." Charlotte''s eyes squinted as she coldly gazed at Lace, who stopped rubbing the back of her head after hearing the words of the Vice Admiral.


    "Youmand like an experienced general, Lace. No matter how much you pretend to be clueless or downy your capabilities, I can easily perceive whether someone is using their full capabilities or not."


    "Holding back didn''t do you good, especially when you act like you''re dumb. It bes too obvious." It was at this moment that Abraham realized things were about to be troublesome for the two.


    But he couldn''t deny being curious about Lace''s full capabilities.


    She has been rather dismissive of her capabilities and her identity as the dragoness. The reason why Abraham didn''t bother her much about it was because there would be a time when she would tell the truth to him.


    Rather than forcing something out of her, it was better to be given the trust of keeping such information.


    Lace''s gaze turned cold as her golden irises glowed with a tinge of radiance. Fortunately, however, Abraham entered their conversation with a rxed tone.


    "Now, now¡­ This isn''t the time for this." Abraham calmly uttered, causing the attention of the two to be pointed at him. He merely smiled upon meeting their gaze and continued.


    "Instead of arguing about this, why don''t we talk about troublesome issues springing up from the outside." He decided to change the subject as it was the best course of action for the two.


    Charlotte merely stared at Abraham for a moment before nodding in agreement.


    "I''m in agreement. We need to decide about what we need to do when the inevitablees." Hearing her words, Abraham continued smiling as he was satisfied that she backed down.


    "I don''t have much to say." Lace sighed and her golden irises dimmed. She looked at Abraham who looked at her with the same understanding smile as before.


    It makes her pissed off, and feel pathetic. But that was how it was. The mind and the heart were things that were hard to control. Even she, a dragon, still found herself shackled by such things.


    "Good, let''s continue." Abraham nodded and the three began discussing the inspection of the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    Their discovery wasn''t something they could avoid. So, what they needed to talk about was after the discovery of the United Navy. What should they do and what path should they take?


    Charlotte and Lace gave suggestions of their own. Some were simple, othersplex. There were even a few that were straight-up horrific. They, of course, were suggested by Lace.


    "The moment we get discovered. We should try establishing diplomacy with the adversary. Our paths can be divided into two, depending on the reaction they have." Abraham uttered and continued.


    "If they act hostile to our personnel and attack them, we can consider it as a deration of war. That would mean that the United Navy will be open for confrontation and warfare."


    "The Port of Dawn has stabilized since ourst special operation, so we have out-manufactured our wasted ordnance, armaments, and ammunition. Another war shouldn''t be a problem for us, but there is another issue thates along when speaking of war."


    Abraham stopped for a moment and Lace uttered one word.


    "Magi."


    When Abrahan heard of Lace''s words, he nodded in agreement as that was what he was worried about when confronting the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It was none other than the Magis that made him hesitant about a full-scale war.


    "That''s correct. We still haven''t established our anti-magic research division. The diary that was left behind was practically useless as none of us understood how to apply it. This means that our defenses against these Magi are bare-bones at best."


    "With their capability to teleport anywhere they want, they could probably enter the Port of Dawn with ease and cause chaos amongst our ranks," Abraham exined the worst-case scenario when fighting against magicraft.


    Charlotte wasn''t shocked as she had already investigated the so-called magi and understood how much of a threat they had towards the United Navy.


    If they wanted to take care of the Colonial Dominion of Terra, they probably had to handle the Magi first.


    "I have killed a lot of Magi before being enved by Crassus. I consider them as pests who always know how and when to escape. They don''t even have a tinge of honor and don''t finish their fight if they ever felt their life was threatened."


    "To kill them, I had to pretend to be weak and easy to defeat. If you wish to be able to defeat them, you need to be quick and make sure that they won''t be able to react." Lace gave her thoughts about the matter.


    Abraham gazed at her in surprise as this was the first he ever heard of her killing some Magus. Lace noticed his shock and lightly chuckled.


    "As I said before, Abraham. There was a reason why Crassus feared me. It''s not merely because I was a dragon or was the leader of the Rebellion. It''s all due to me hunting Magi throughout the sea a few years ago."


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow as this was also the first she heard Lace talking about the things she had done before getting enved. As the Vice Admiral of the United Navy, it was natural to dig information about anything and anyone.


    Naturally, she also tried digging for information about the problem dragon. However, it was hard to get much information about the dragoness since no one knew much about her. Even the beastfolk refugees only heard rumors and legends about the dragoness.


    "A quick attack that they can''t react to and can easily prate through shields," Abraham muttered while tapping his wooden desk.


    He thought about a weapon that might have such capabilities, but there was none other than the obvious high-caliber artillery such as tank guns or naval guns.


    Obviously, for the Magi to not be able to react to their attack, it needed to be portable, not-so-obvious, and easy to use at any time. Other than an anti-material rifle, there were no other weapons with such capabilities.


    "Do we have a weapon like that other than an anti-material rifle?" Abraham asked Charlotte as she might be knowledgeable about the matter.


    Charlotte thought about it for a short while before shaking her head.


    "Anti-material rifles are the strongest guns we have if we don''t include artillery in the equation. But there might be an anti-material rifle that might prove effective to the Magus." Her suggestion made Abraham somewhat interested.


    The Vice Admiral noticed the interest of the Fleet Admiral and continued.


    "The Anzio 20mm Vulcan."

 Chapter 72: | 072 | Anti-Magus Gun

    In the shooting range somewhere in the Port of Dawn, Abraham stood quietly while watching his personnel attach the anti-material rifle with interest. From the looks of it, the rifle packed a lot of power. It was a lot bigger and longer than the usual M82 Barrett.


    ''So, this is the Anzio 20mm Vulcan, huh.'' Abraham thought to himself while observing the anti-material rifle with a scrutinizing gaze. Simply by knowing the name itself, one could understand how powerful it was.


    "Charlotte, are you sure this is an anti-material rifle? It might as well be a portable small cannon." The Fleet Admiral remarked while turning his gaze towards the silver-blonddy beside him. She was Charlotte, the Vice Admiral of the United Navy.


    "Hmm¡­ Is this the thing that handled the Magus in Crassus''s ship?" On the other hand, Lace also questioned while cing a finger below her chin.


    She seemed intrigued by the anti-material rifle, though most of it came from the fact that it could prate Magus'' shields. Such things usually needed pration spells to puncture through. Or through her method, hitting it with enough power.


    "To answer both of your questions, Yes and No." Charlotte looked at the two who seemed doubtful in their gaze. Abraham couldn''t believe that it was a rifle, while Lace wanted to know of its power.


    "Fleet Admiral, the Anzio 20mm Vulcan is still a part of the anti-material rifle family. Although it''s a lot bigger and longer than most rifles, it still couldn''t be ssified as an artillery by our standards." First, she answered Abraham''s question.


    "And Lieutenant Lace, this isn''t the one that handled the shield of a Magus. The weapon you''re looking for should be over there." After answering the Fleet Admiral''s question, Charlotte responded to Lace''s.


    She then pointed somewhere in the shooting range where a lone M82 Barrett.


    Lace followed Charlotte''s finger and saw a tinier rifle that couldn''tpare to the one before them. She furrowed her eyebrows as she nced at Abraham as if asking for his confirmation.


    Noticing the questioning gaze of Lace, Abraham nodded as he was the one who ordered the Marines to make use of the anti-material rifle against the Magus''s shield.


    With Abraham''s evident confirmation, Lace cast her doubts away and looked at the M82 Barrett. She wondered if they could equip every soldier with this weapon. Through this rifle, they could conquer the Ferus Sea.


    "But I''d like to add. From the reports of First Lieutenant Campbell, the .50 BMG didn''t immediately prate through the Magus''s shield. It took some time, and it practically became molten metal before breaking the shield."


    "The Magus did manage to escape, so I consider it as ineffective in handling the Magi." Charlotte prompted to expound as she didn''t want the dragoness to get the wrong idea.


    "That''s right. If the M82 Barrett could take care of the Magus during the operation, we wouldn''t even bother testing the Anzio 20mm Vulcan." Abraham continued on Charlotte''s exnation.


    Unlike the M82 Barrett,the Anzio 20mm Vulcan was a lot harder to carry and veryplicated to assemblepared to the M82 Barrett. So, in terms of logistics, the Barrett would have been better to handle.


    But there was no use inining as anti-magic armaments haven''t been made yet. He needed to invest in research and development technologies for this path. However, he didn''t have the time and resources to do so.


    They were even having problems synthesizing the newly-gained rare mineral that was stupidly impressivepared to the usual ones. In simpler terms, the United Navy had its hands full.


    "Sir, the anti-material rifle is ready." After assembling the rifle, one of the personnel walked towards Abraham and stood before him with a salute. He then reported the status of the anti-material rifle.


    Abraham nodded in understanding and walked closer to the Anzio 20mm Vulcan. Getting closer to it, he finally appreciated its size. It was as though he was looking at a miniature cannon.


    "The Anzio 20mm Vulcan has 4 times the power of an M82 Barrett. Although pration-wise, it isn''t as strong as its power, it still is incredible whenbined together." Charlotte calmly exined to Abraham.


    "So it''s stronger, right?" Lace looked at Charlotte with sparkling eyes. Rifle go boom was something she wanted to hear.


    Charlotte gazed at Lace''s golden irises and contemted for a short while before nodding at the dragoness.


    With the confirmation of the Vice Admiral, Lace obviously became excited at the thought of it firing. After all, as someone who was a fan of seeing things sted into pieces, this might cater to her needs.


    "Then, what are you waiting for? Let''s fire that so-called anti-material rifle, Stone-faced!" Lace uttered with amanding tone while grinning and pointing in the direction where the anti-material rifle faced.


    Obviously, Charlotte didn''t respond and stared at her without much of a reaction. In the mind of the Vice Admiral, she was asking herself why she should follow the orders of some random Lieutenant.


    However, there was someone that she needed to take orders to. And it was none other than the Fleet Admiral, Abraham.


    He gazed at her and nodded as though confirming the firing test of the Anzio 20mm Vulcan. As the loyal subordinate of the Fleet Admiral, Charlotte didn''t hesitate and ordered the sniper to start firing.


    "Fire the anti-material rifle towards the designated tree." Hearing her aloof orders, the sniper nodded andy behind the Anzio 20mm Vulcan. He took a deep breath for a moment before gazing through the scope.


    The designated target for the firing test was a kilometer away from the anti-material rifle. This was to test its power over long distances in order to gauge its prating capability and power.


    As the sniper took his time, the three watched from behind with anticipation brewing inside their hearts. Though... Every one of them looked stone-cold on the outside, never revealing their tion of the current subject.


    After the sniper became confident of his uracy and precision through lengthy preparation, he took another breath and finally pulled the trigger of the anti-material rifle.


    *BANG!*


    A deafening sound followed and reverberated throughout the shooting range. Faint smoke escaped the barrel of the anti-material rifle while the sniper nced at Charlotte and nodded in confirmation.


    "It seems that it was a hit, Fleet Admiral." Seeing the confirmation of the sniper, Charlotte remarked. Meanwhile, Abraham only nced at her with a raised eyebrow.


    He couldn''t see much of the effects it brought, but it sure sounded like freedom.


    "Impressive, it broke apart the first tree with ease and kept pushing through. Hmm¡­ There should be six trees hit by it with five of them broken in half." Lacemented with a surprised expression.


    Her eyes were pointed at where the anti-material rifle was shooting at.


    "Despite being smaller than a cannonball, it''s somewhat fast and has a lot of punch behind it. I guess it should handle low to middle-end Magi." Lace''s remarks went even further, which surprised Abraham and Charlotte.


    After all, this was important information to them. And it was something to be trusted since it came from none other than the dragoness.


    "Hmm? Why are you staring at me like that?" Lace then noticed the hungry gaze of the Vice Admiral and Fleet Admiral.

 Chapter 73: | 073 | Colonial Dominion of Terra

    Somewhere in the north of the local sea region, an archipgo resided amongst the tides and the blue skies above with a lone ind at its center. It was wide and vast, rivaling a particr continent of the former world, Australia.


    The ind was the gateway of humanity into the Ferus Sea and the New World. It was the ce where it all began, the very ind that brought about the Age of Exploration.


    The Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    Terra was a very distinct ind with rich diversity and natural resources. It was the first ind colonized by humanity, making it incredibly established in the New World.


    It brimmed with port towns and trading ships facilitating inter-seas trade, shrouding the ind with never-endingmerce. Because of this trade, the Colonial Dominion of Terra was amongst the richest colonies in the Ferus Sea.


    It was a ce of opportunity for humanity''s explorers and dreamers.


    In simpler terms, it''s frontier.


    However, on the ind of Terra, there was a spectacrlyrge bay where the enormous city ofmerce, Gaea, dwelled.


    Gaea was a massive city containing a poption of over a hundred thousand humans. It was riddled with old medieval brick houses, paved roads, thin alleyways, and various squares.


    There was also its port where dozens of trading ships found themselves docked. Most of them nned to sail across the Ferus Sea to exploit its riches despite the many treacherous dangers it posed.


    It was quite an intriguing sight, presenting humanity''s ingenuity and desire for expansion.


    But unfortunately, it was far from the dreamiest city in the Ferus Sea. It was also a city shrouded with crime, corruption, piracy, and very.


    very was legal throughout the nations of humanity. Most of them came from captured beastfolks, but some were humans with no mana capacity, making them sub-humans in the eyes of others.


    It was somewhat saddening, but nevertheless, it was the truth.


    Perhaps things will change for the better in the far future.


    *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*


    In some random alleyway within Gaea, the space distorted itself as an unknown figure emerged from it. Using a spatial-repositioning spell, the unknown figure managed to arrive at the Colonial Dominion of Terra without sailing for days on the high seas.


    But as he stepped into the paved alleyway, he began coughing blood causing him to lose bnce and lean on some nearby stone wall. The figure wore a cloak, but when observed carefully, he was a familiar one.


    He was none other than the Magus of Pinguis Arca who managed to escape through teleportation after getting hit by a molten metal originating from a bullet of an anti-material rifle.


    His leg mostly took the hit, but his circumstances were far from good. The injury he got was far from something that he could heal through a mere spell.


    The molten metal of the bullet practically lodged itself into his bones. A recovery spell wouldn''t be enough to heal it, and the more time it spent inside his head. The closer he would be to inevitable death.


    So, with this in mind, the Magus was prompted to seek help from the Magus Tower. As a member of it, he should have some privileges to be healed by fellow magi. Otherwise, he would die from it.


    ''Tsk! I had to use several spatial-repositioning spells through multiple inds to get here.'' The Magus quietly thought to himself while gritting his teeth. This was the first time he got an unrecoverable injury, and it was humiliating.


    An esteemed Magus like him limping like a damn dog was something that didn''t do well inside his mind. So, he hated the ones that brought this to him. The bastards that shot him the annoying bullet.


    ''At any rate, I need to be fast. Let''s think of revenge after I recover.'' He thought before walking away from the alleyway. He was limping the entire way and could barely maintain his bnce, mortifying for someone of his stature.


    As he walked through the paved street leading to the Magus Tower, the Magus felt everybody''s eyes pointed at him. He merely clenched his fist and continued limping onward.


    Though¡­ One might question. Why couldn''t he simply teleport into the Magus Tower? The answer was simple. Teleporting through the Magus Tower requires a lot of mana. After going through several inds, he practically had no mana left after arriving in Terra.


    He looked forward and saw that he was a distance from the Magus Tower. It shouldn''t take long before he reaches it.


    But before the Magus could go further, a couple of Magi stopped him in his tracks. They wore long cloaks and the usual wizard hats. The Magus furrowed his eyebrows as the Magi began speaking.


    "Good Sir, what are you heading to the Magus Tower for?" One of them questioned him with a scrutinizing gaze. The Magus of Pinguis Arca raised an eyebrow as though he heard something stupid.


    However, he sighed after some thought and pointed at his injured leg. The Magi followed his fingers and saw the severely injured leg. They looked at him in doubt since a recovery spell would have fixed it.


    "Just don''t bother me. I would have used a recovery spell if it was possible." The Magus sighed and continued limping through the paved street. He walked through the group of Magi as they watched him with interest.


    It didn''t take long before the Magus arrived at the Magus Tower. As he stepped into its fairlyrge hallway, the receptionist noticed him and immediately called out.


    "Sir Greywald! Took you long to arrive. We have been waiting for you for a couple of weeks." The receptionist asked while the Magus or Greywald stood before the wooden desk.


    "There was a situation that caused some dy. I''m injured with a molten metal lodged in my bones. I need some medical attention." Greywald responded as the receptionist looked at him in surprise.


    She looked at Greywald''s leg, which was obviously injured and infected. She was a bit dumbfounded as it was rare for a Magus to be injured. And if they do, they could easily use a recovery spell to regrow a missing part of their body.


    Obviously, however. No spells were too overpowered in the realms of magicraft. A recovery spell could only regrow lost chunks of flesh, but that doesn''t mean they expel anything stuck inside one''s body.


    Foolishly using a recovery spell to one''s body without taking out the foreign object would result in an infection, bringing about death.


    "Understood, I''ll call for avable Magus to help you, Sir Greywald. It shouldn''t take long before they arrive." The receptionist said to Greywald and took out a runicmunicator.


    Greywald was thankful and patiently waited for help to start healing his leg. But before he could entertain his thoughts, a rough and old voice sounded to his ears.


    "Sir Greywald, it''s been a while." He raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze towards where the voice came from. He then saw an old figure standing in the hallway. He was a familiar old man, or perhaps, an old war master.


    It was none other than Theodore, the War Master of Evesting Dawn.

 Chapter 74: | 074 | A Maguss Testimony

    In the Magus Tower of the City of Gaea, Sir Greywald watched as several Magus treated his injured leg with intricate spells. As they treat him, Theodore watches from afar with furrowed eyebrows as he wonders about what brought such injury to Greywald.


    The group of Magus took their time in mending the wound of Greywald. First, they applied a purifying spell to the injury. Then, they cast a kic spell to take out the molten metal of the bullet inside his bones.


    "Argh!" As they did so, Sir Greywald felt an indescribable amount of pain. It was as though his leg was getting broken into bits and pieces by the second.


    Fortunately for the Magus though, it didn''t take long before the group managed to take out the molten metal and ce it into a metallic te.


    Theodore watched the metal and didn''t find any imbued runes upon its body. This made him wonder how such a thing managed to prate through a Magus''s shield and have enough power to pierce through one''s bones.


    After the molten metal of the bullet was taken out, the group of Magus began enacting a recovery spell. In mere seconds, the injury of Sir Greywald regenerated at an unnatural rate.


    The grievous wound faded by the second, and as half a minute passed, Greywald''s leg was good as new. It was as though he wasn''t injured, to begin with.


    "That should be all, Sir Greywald. This is one of the mostplex things we have done for quite a while now. The fragments of the molten metal embedded themselves clearly into your bone, making it hard for us to extract it."


    "Fortunately for you, we are skilled in our medical capacity, so it wasn''t too difficult for us to take out the fragments." One of the Magus aloofly uttered to Greywald and nced at Theodore.


    "Well, then. We''ll take our leave." The Magus announced and walked out along with her fellow Magus.


    As such, only Theodore and Sir Greywald remained in the clinic, which was mostly devoid of people. After all, it was rare for a Magus to get an injury that they couldn''t handle by themselves.


    Silence soon shrouded the clinic, but it was disturbed by Theodore''s rough and old voice.


    "Sir Greywald, whatbrought such injury to your leg?" Naturally, Theodore wanted to know what happened to the Magus. He should have entered the confines of the Colonial Dominion of Terra weeks ago.


    But for some reason, the Magus Tower lost contact with the Magus.


    Hearing the questioning words of Theodore, Sir Greywald could only sigh and think about what had happened to him. To think that sailing with Crassus would have brought him the most humiliating moments of his life.


    "Well¡­ I was with Captain Crassus who was heading to the Colonial Dominion of Terra. After all, he gave me a job and why not ept when going here? It was two birds with one stone." Sir Greywald calmly exined.


    Theodore was a bit shocked as he didn''t think that Sir Greywald would be connected to the case they were investigating. So, he was very interested in what the Magus had to say.


    Greywald noticed the interest of Theodore but didn''t think of it as much and continued with his exnation.


    "That ugly bastard was nning to sell some ves in Terra, and the journey was going well for us at first. But out of nowhere, a metallic ship emerged and started pursuing us."


    "A metallic ship? Is it big?" Theodore calmly asked, making Greywald nce at him for a second before responding to his question.


    "Well, It wasn''t as big as our battleships, but I did notice that despite being entirely made of metal, it was a lot faster than Crassus''s ship." Greywald honestly replied, which made Theodore nod in understanding.


    "At any rate, Crassus called for help from Terra''s Viceroy and made a deal with him. In turn, the Viceroy reinforced us with four escort ships and a squadron of wyvern riders."


    "I previously thought that we should be able to handle our pursuer with this much reinforcements. Sadly, however, these so-called reinforcements were far from enough."


    "The metallic warshipunched something from its deck. It flew toward the heavens at incredible speeds that I''m not sure anyone I know can react to. It wasn''t flying towards us, but somewhere in the skies."


    "Perhaps, the wyvern riders were the first ones targeted by the metallic warship," Greywald uttered while remembering every moment during Operation Bestowing Freedom of the United Navy.


    Though, obviously, he didn''t know that what he had gone through was a mere operation for the United Navy.


    "Afterward, the reinforcing escort ships entered the fray torge spatial transmission and confronted the metallic warship. One of the four sailed forward without fear, but it soon exploded when the metallic warship fired its cannons."


    "The shields of War Masters weren''t effective against their cannons, Theodore. I don''t even think they have magic since I didn''t detect any mana distortioning from them. In simpler terms, all of that was through technology."


    As he spoke about it, the more he became confused about his memories. Magicraft was supposed to reign supreme, but it failed them and it failed him. After all, how could people with no magic easily dominate them without much of a problem?


    Theodore noticed the problematic mental health of Sir Greywald. He sighed and decided to stop asking more about what had happened until the Magus stabilized his mind.


    He was also prompted to not talk about how the Leviathan herd was destroyed along with an Elder Leviathan during the confrontation as the Magus would take a hit from the news.


    "Okay, Sir Greywald. I heard everything I needed to hear. Take a rest in this room and stabilize your mana." Theodore stood up and reminded the Magus.


    Greywald then noticed his mana surging in chaos from his affected mental health. He took a deep breath and decided to take his time stabilizing himself before thinking of anything else.


    "I shall do so, Theodore." With the response of Sir Greywald, Theodore nodded at the Magus and took his leave from the clinic.


    As he arrived back in the hallway, he remembered the words of Sir Greywald. The hidden force amongst them was a lot stronger than they had previously thought. They must tread the waters carefully otherwise they will be eaten alive by it.


    "The future is bound in turmoil. I hope the Colonial Dominion will be able to pull through." Theodore muttered to himself before teleporting out of the Magus Tower.


    Meanwhile, hundreds of miles south of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. A squadron of wyvern riders was flying through the skies before noticing an object sailing through it.


    Some of them were doubtful of what it was before noticing its metallic stature. This made the squadron realize that the metallic warship was none other than their target.


    Obviously, with the metallic warship found in the distance, the squadron leader didn''t hesitate to take out a runicmunicator and report his findings to the main fleet.


    "This is Sparrow Head, we have discovered our target. Sending our location through the runicmunicator. Inquiring for further orders!"

 Chapter 75: | 075 | Second Contact

    "So they were real, huh?" One of the wyvern riders in the squadron remarked while staring at the metallic warship far below them. It was somewhat surprising as most of them thought it was but a useless wild-goose chase.


    Some even questioned if the metallic ships were even real. After all, most of the ships they had were wooden. Metal was hard to float, heavy to sail, and impractical for warships. Of course, this was from their own perspective.


    But it wasn''t like metallic ships were never created in the continent of Europa. It was that they simply couldn''t rece the usability and versatility of wooden ships.


    The development of metallic ships was halted because of the introduction of magic. Its defensive capabilities could easily be replicated by the spells of Magus, not sacrificing the ship''s speed.


    "Obviously¡­ War Master Theodore wouldn''t lie to us." Another wyvern ridermented while watching the sailing metallic warship.


    "Though, the warship really is fast. It''s faster than a lot of our battleships despite being entirely fully made of metal. I wonder what kind of race got such technology in their qualms." One wondered to himself in the runicmunicator.


    "Maybe dwarves? I heard they had incredibly advanced technology for the time. ording to some of our Magus, they should be half of a century more advanced than us." A wyvern rider suggested the dwarves.


    "I highly doubt it. The dwarves rarely take themselves into the seas. Most of them rely on ground and air power to navigate." Another one of them rejected the suggestion of it being dwarves.


    While dwarves had unrivaled advanced technologies, they weren''t interested in the seas. They''d rather stay in their mountains or sky inds rather than navigate the high seas.


    And so, the wyvern riders found themselves in a pickle as they couldn''t understand what kind of race could be operating the metallic warship.


    It never passed their mind that it might be the beastfolk as in their eyes, those creatures were nothing more but talking animals. The thought of the Beastfolk being more advanced than them was practically nonexistent.


    And it was true. Most of the beastfolks were stuck in tribal societies making them easier to conquer. Those who did establish their own kingdoms were bad at managing it. One can consider the kings of those beastfolk kingdoms as nothing more but mere warlords.


    "All of you get quiet. I don''t want anyone to disturb the runicmunication line." Before they could continue thinking, their silent squadron leader uttered with aloofness.


    He warned them to not traffic the runicmunication line since it would be problematic if theirmunication got stuck during a battle. They wouldn''t be able to report anything to themand and would probably die an honorless death.


    "Affirmative, Squadron Leader." The second inmand of the squadron responded and silence ensued amongst its ranks.


    The squadron leader then turned his attention to the metallic warship after hearing the confirmation of his second inmand. He gazed at it with scrutiny, getting ready for any moves it might do.


    ''It should have noticed us by now, but it isn''t reacting for some reason.'' The squadron leader didn''t think that their adversary would be stupid.


    They should be far from it as his sister was among the first ones that died from them.


    ''But the fact that they aren''t immediately attacking means that they aren''t inherently hostile. They''ll only start firing their unknown weapons the moment we get near to them.'' The squadron leader continued thinking about it.


    While he had his qualms about the hidden force behind the metallic warship for killing his little sister, that didn''t impede him from thinking rationally about the situation his squadron found themselves in.


    However, before he could continue entertaining his thoughts. A voice escaped the runicmunicator, and it didn''te from either of them.


    *T-This is¡­ UNS Marina, contacting bogeys.*


    The wyvern riders found themselves shocked after hearing such words from their runicmunicators. They didn''t know where it came from, but they had an idea where.


    *I repeat¡­ This is UNS Marina, contacting bogeys. Openmunication, otherwise we will engage.*


    The voice from the other side repeated itself once again and warned them to reply. If they don''t, they might be blown out from the sky.


    Before the wyvern riders could even react, the squadron leader replied immediately to the transmission, unveiling his wit. Relying upon whether their adversary could do what was told wasn''t something he''d rely on.


    "This is Sparrow Head, openingmunication. What do you want?"


    Following his reply was none other than silence, the wyvern riders also held their breaths as they wondered what would happen afterward.


    *Sparrow Head, we are the United Navy. Contact your superiors, we would like to establish diplomacy.*


    When the voice finally responded, they introduced themselves as the United Navy. The squadron leader raised an eyebrow as thoughts flooded inside his mind.


    He wondered if he should follow the words uttered by the voice. But it was not like he had a choice. The other side wanted to talk to their superiors and open diplomatic talks.


    "I''ll try¡­" The squadron leader uttered and changed the channel of the runicmunicator. It was now transmitted to the highmand of the fleet, Captain Stolz of the Evesting Sun.


    It took some time for the runic transmission to connect, but the confident voice of Captain Stolz entered their channel and it was finally time for them to report what had happened.


    *Sparrow Head, is there something wrong? Has the metallic warship done something strange? Did they attack you?*


    "No, sir. But they have establishedmunication with us. They want to open diplomatic talks with you." The squadron leader said and reported the info to the captain.


    On the other side of the runicmunicator, Captain Stolz raised an eyebrow as he didn''t expect the metallic warship to contact them out of nowhere.


    It seems that their surveince wasn''t as secretive as they had previously thought.


    "What did they say?" Captain Stolz wanted to dig for more information about the metallic warship.


    *They called themselves the United Navy, and the metallic warship we are currently observing is known as UNS Marina.* The squadron leader uttered.


    With the information presented by the Sparrow Head, dozens of thoughts entered Captain Stolz''s mind. He wondered whether he should open diplomatic talks with this so-called United Navy.


    In the first ce, the reason why they were trying to find them was because the Fleet of Principatus Humanum wanted to eliminate a hidden and growing threat in the first sea of Ferus.


    But there wasn''t anything disadvantageous with diplomatic talks. At the very least, they would be able to gain as much information as they needed before striking this hidden force down.


    After all, other than them. Nothing and no one should dominate the Ferus Sea. Not the beastfolks, dwarves, orks, or even elves.


    Through this thought process, a dangerous idea emerged in Captain Stolz''s mind. The edges of his lips rose as he decided his orders through the words that would soon escape his mouth.


    "Tell them we are open for diplomatic talks. We''ll state a schedule for the talkster."

 Chapter 76: | 076 | Operation Daedalus

    When the discovery of Crescere and the United Navy was inevitable. Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd prompted the naval force to take active action against what couldn''t be avoided.


    How? The answer was fairly simple. It was through establishing clear rtions with the adversaries who were trying to find them.


    Whether it''d be friendly, neutral, or hostile rtions. It would provide clear indications for the United Navy''s future actions. Would they wage war? Or enjoy a longsting peace?


    To establish these simple rtions, a new operation was established. It was called Operation Daedalus.


    Operation Daedalus needed a subject for the adversary to project its intentions. So, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd picked one of the five Admiral-Gorshkov ss Frigates.


    The one that was picked was none other than UNS Marina.


    After hours of debriefing, UNS Marina was given the Lingua Gem formerly in the possession of Vice Admiral Charlotte, and the Runic Communicator captured from Crassus.


    The runicmunicator was given to begin contact with the other side once the scouting wyvern riders were seen. On the other hand, the Lingua Gem was used fornguage trantion.


    With these two, the captain of the UNS Marina could handle the second contact alone. Though¡­ Not totally alone.


    The UNS Light Bringer was ordered to escort UNS Marina and maintained a distance of 20 clicks from it. Its duty was to reinforce the UNS Marina if the adversaries decided to immediately attack.


    With this, the first phase preparation of for Operation Daedalus was a sess. The UNS Marina was then sent to the expected reconnaissance zone of the wyvern riders. After that, the second contact was made and the wyvern riders began observing the warship from afar.


    Obviously, they swiftly told their superiors about the warship and that their ships might be heading toward UNS Marina at this very moment.


    On the bridge of UNS Marina, its captain calmly watched the wyvern riders roaming the skies. Most of them were locked by the frigate a long time ago.


    He simply needed to order for the warship to fire.


    *The Head Captain of Principatus Humanum has agreed to diplomatic talks. He wants to start the talks in this location three days from now.*


    A voice sounded out from the runicmunicator. It was the squadron leader of Sparrow.


    The captain of UNS Marina raised an eyebrow after hearing the news of the diplomatic talks. He didn''t think that they would agree immediately, making him somewhat suspicious.


    "These dogs must be pretending. But I guess I should report this to the Comrade Fleet Admiral." The captain remarked before ncing at hismunication operator.


    "Connect back to themand center of the Port of Dawn. Tell them that the dogs have agreed with the diplomatic talks. It will be done in this location in three days."


    After giving his orders, the captain returned his eyes to the wyvern riders in the skies. Meanwhile, themunication operator nodded and responded to the captain.


    "Affirmative, Comrade Captain."


    Themunication operator then began sending the transmission to themand center of the Port of Dawn. After a couple of seconds, the operation was reported to the captain.


    "Transmission has been sent to Comrade Captain. Awaiting a reply."


    Hearing the words of themunication operation, the captain of UNS Marina nodded and straightened his back. As one of the captains in the Red Fleet, it was his duty to protect the marine borders of the United Navy.


    If anyone dared take the sea that belonged to them. He wouldn''t hesitate to terminate them for the United Navy. For that was his duty as the captain of UNS Marina.


    In the Port of Dawn, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd stood within themand center with Vice


    Admiral Charlotte beside him. They were currently discussing future expansions of the United Navy before amunication operator called for them.


    "Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral, a transmission from the UNS Marina has arrived!" Both of them raised their eyebrows as news from Operation Daedalus arrived faster than they expected.


    "What''s the transmission about?" Charlotte calmly questioned and themunication operator swiftly answered. "The transmission was about the first phase''s sess."


    "Second contact has been made and the intention of a diplomatic talk has been established to the other side. ording to UNS Marina, they have epted our offer and scheduled the talk three days from now."


    "The current location for the meeting is the coordinates of the UNS Marina." Themunication operator easily exined the report of Operation Daedalus to the highmands.


    "So, the second contact had already begun, huh?" Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as various thoughts flooded his mind. He was suspicious as it was too fast.


    The response from the other side didn''t seem to have that muchg, signifying that it was onemanding officer who called for it.


    But amanding officer handling diplomatic talks? Not even a government body?


    There were too many things that needed to be thought about.


    "Somewhat suspicious," Charlotte muttered under her breath as she was also suspicious about the so-called diplomatic talks. The eptance sounded too good to be true.


    "I have the same thoughts, Charlotte. It seems that our adversaries are nning something dangerous. We need to tread carefully in phase two." Abraham uttered with a stern tone.


    "I''m in agreement," Charlotte responded without much of a reaction.


    "Diplomacy, eh?" Before the two could continue discussing phase two of Operation Daedalus, a familiar voice intruded on their conversation. From how naturally smug it sounded, it was obvious where the voice came from.


    "Lieutenant Lace¡­ Quite surprising to see you here. I thought you were undergoing training with your toon." Charlotte said with a questioning tone.


    "The training was fairly easy, so wepleted it in an hour." Lace grinned before staring at the topographic map of the nearby sea.


    "It''s my own personal opinion but¡­ None of them have any interest in diplomacy. Perhaps, the best thing they''re good at is snuffing out potential threats to their dominion."


    "So, I personally think that you should lower your expectations if you continue the diplomatic talks." Lace''s smile faded before returning back in a mere second.


    "On the other hand, I''ll be taking my leave. If you want me to dispose of them, call me?" She smirked before disappearing before them.


    Silence shrouded themand room as Charlotte and Abraham were having a hard time reacting to what had recently happened. But they weren''t foolish and ignorant.


    They noticed the advice that the dragoness had given to them. And even though she might be biased with her words, they still held some weight as she was the only one amongst them with history in this foreign world.


    "It looks like we''ll be going to war in the near future." Abraham sighed as problems seemed to love him. Did rolling gacha consume his luck? He couldn''t help but wonder inside his mind.


    "The only thing we can do is prepare for it, Fleet Admiral. This is a world where power matters after all. In their eyes, we might as well be an insignificant insect in their evesting empire."


    Charlotte sighed while feeling a bit at ease that she wasn''t the one leading the operation. It would have been troublesome, otherwise.


    "At any rate, let''s discuss phase two of Operation Daedalus.

 Chapter 77: | 077 | The Awaited Talks

    In the northern sea region between Crescere and Terra, UNS Marina and UNS Light Bringer sailed together on the high seas heading towards the designated location for the diplomatic talks.


    It has been three days since the second contact was made. Abraham and Charlotte made preparation for the diplomatic talks, mostly aimed towards dealing with whatever sh*t their adversaries were trying to cook.


    Abraham wanted to talk with themanding officer of the other side himself but was dissuaded by his high officers. While he wasn''t willing to give up bing part of the talks, Charlotte fully dissuaded him with a cite.


    She said that as the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. Abraham had a position and power that shouldn''t be used everywhere. His actions had an influence on the United Navy.


    If something does happen to him, the United Navy will dere war without hesitation and dy. They would absolutely decimate without mercy unleashing whatever armaments they held in their arsenal.


    Even If their adversaries decided to pursue peace, the United Navy would probably not ept it.


    With this in mind, Abraham had to take a step back from the diplomatic talks and let Charlotte handle it instead. ording to some high officers, he also shouldn''t lower himself for some randommanding officer of an enemy fleet.


    It was also the job of diplomatic officers to be in the diplomatic talks, not his.


    These various argumentspletely dissuaded him from entering the diplomatic talks, though that didn''t mean he gave up. He would insteadmand the Red Fleet and his UNS Trinity of Sce in case the adversary decided to use force.


    The preparation for the diplomatic talks was heavy. Various Anti-Magus Guns, or Anzio 20mm Vulcan were boarded into the frigates. They would be used to counter Magus or War Masters in enemy ships.


    Various MMLs(Multi-Mission Launchers) were also pointed towards the designated location of the diplomatic talks. When sh*t hits the fan. They would be expected to blow every enemy in that general direction.


    Other than this, there was also thebined defensive fleet or the Aegis Fleet for short. It was a strategic formation used when two or more fleets were called upon to integrate one another.


    The current Aegis Fleet,manded by none other than Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd, wasposed of UNS Trinity of Sce, UNS Svena, UNS Alyona, UNS Lenya, and UNS Zarya.


    They dwelled 7.5 clicks away from the leading warships, hiding behind the lines of the boundless horizon.


    "Vice Admiral, we have detected various radar signatures 5 clicks forward." Inside the UNS Light Bringer, a radar operator reported to a gorgeousdy with silver-blond hair and grayish yet empty eyes.


    Charlotte nced at the radar operator and calmly nodded in understanding. It seems that their adversary was ready for the talks.


    "How many are they?" Charlotte calmly inquired the radar operator about their numbers.


    "There should be about a dozen of them. Most are longer than 200 meters, signifying theirrge radar signature. They also have a cruising speed of 24 knots." The radar operator reported everything to the Vice Admiral.


    "I see¡­ It seems that their ships aren''t to be underestimated." Charlotte squinted her eyes as former medieval ships in their old world didn''t surpass 100 meters until ship steel-building was generalized.


    It looks like the direction of ships in this foreign world was far different than their older ones. Though, quite understandable. In the old world, they didn''t have magic to help them. They needed to build their ships that followed the rules of nature.


    Otherwise, it would sink to the bottom of the ocean.


    "It shouldn''t take a while before we arrive at our designated meeting," Charlotte muttered under her breath as she watched the horizon before them through the monitor screen.


    "Have you detected wyvern riders on the radar?" She nced at a nearby radar operator as wyvern riders were their only aerial threat, so they must be under strict surveince.


    "Yes, Vice Admiral. Several wyvern squadrons have been detected in the radar system. They should number around half a hundred. They are currently circling around the main fleet of enemy ships." The radar operator aloofly reported.


    Before Charlotte could respond to the radar operator, an intelligence officer intruded into their conversation.


    "Vice Admiral, our adversaries have appeared on the horizon." Following the intelligence officer''s words, Charlotte looked at the monitor screen and saw severalrge battleships.


    Their size wasn''t to be underestimated as each ship had a mass of over 100 meters, which was fairly massive even by the standards of the United Navy.


    The Vice Admiral raised an eyebrow as seeing their enormous size personally was quite astounding. Such giant wooden ships that shouldn''t have been possible in their former world.


    It sailed before them.


    "It seems that the diplomatic talks have begun," Charlotte mumbled while furrowing her eyebrows. She hoped that the diplomatic talks would go well, but it was merely hope.


    She needed to be realistic and ready for what could happen.


    Meanwhile, in the leading battleship of the Fleet Principatus Humanum, Evesting Sun. Captain Stolz stood before its bow while a smirk stered on his face. He observed the metallic warships in the distance and remarked.


    "So they are the hidden force in this sea, huh? I was expecting a fleet to meet us. Not two ships." He lightly chuckled but was interrupted by a rough voice behind him.


    "You shouldn''t underestimate them, Captain Stolz. Their capabilities are unknown to us. It''s better to tread with cautiousness." War Master Theodore remarked with a scrutinizing gaze.


    "Their capabilities or power doesn''t matter. We already have orders from the top. The Sovereigns want them dead and their technology to be recovered." Captain Stolz squinted his eyes.


    While he respected the War Master who was with him for years, he still had orders that he needed to follow.


    "I am merely warning you."


    "This United Navy isn''t to be underestimated." Theodore sighed while staring at the two metallic warships.

 Chapter 78: | 078 | Diplomatic Talks

    "Oh, I didn''t expect you to be humans?" Captain Stolz remarked while standing before the bow of the Evesting Sun. In front of him was the UNS Light Bringer with its Vice Admiral and Marines on the deck.


    "Hmm? Did you think of us as monsters?" Vice Admiral Charlotte tilted her head with a smile, not intimidated by the giant medieval battleship ahead of her.


    The two were talking through the runicmunicator, and none of them were willing to enter the other''s ship. It was understandable. After all, none wanted to die from an unexpected assault.


    "They have no mana." War Master Theodore, who stood beside Captain Stolz, muttered in disbelief. He couldn''t believe that humans with no mana could achieve such a level of technology.


    Captain Stolz raised an eyebrow when he heard of Theodore''s words. But the fact that their adversary didn''t have a tinge of mana made things better for him.


    To humanity, mana and magicraft were akin to a divine right. Without it, can one even consider themselves as human? Or were they simply sub-creatures in a human body?


    "Are you confident of handling them, War Master Theodore?" Captain Stolz quietly inquired to the old man. Theodore looked at him for a second before ncing at the naval guns in the two metallic warships'' bows.


    "They themselves aren''t the problem. It''s their technology that brings us trouble. We need to be careful when handling the diplomatic talks, Captain Stolz." Theodore expressed his thoughts about the matter.


    "That makes sense."


    "I guess it''s time to start negotiations." Captain Stolz smirked before opening the runicmunicator once again and continuing. "Let''s start with the diplomatic talks."


    "Alright, let''s start it." Charlotte calmly responded while watching the two figures in the battleship''s bow with a scrutinizing gaze. She concluded that they must be the highmands of the fleet.


    The Marines in the UNS Light Bringer had already prepared themselves. Various Anzio 20mm Vulcan were mounted throughout the destroyer and frigate to dispose of the Magus, while the warships dealt with the medieval battleships.


    "Vice Admiral, the preparation isplete." An officer reported with a salute. Charlotte nodded to him while turning her eyes back to the battleship in front of them.


    The officer then returned to the interiors of the warship as only the Vice Admiral and the Marines were allowed in the decks.


    ''They are very arrogant.'' Charlotte thought while observing them. The ones before her were already looking down on the United Navy after discovering that it was crewed by humans with possibly no mana.


    ''It looks like Lieutenant Lace was right about the United Navy having no personnel that could use mana. How unfortunate¡­'' The Vice Admiral was a bit disappointed as it practically blocked their way to learning more about magicraft.


    Anyone from the former world dreamed of wielding magic as their own. Sadly, it wasn''t possible in the current one. But perhaps the Fleet Admiral would be able to do something against it.


    After all, he was none other than Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. He might seem or appear like a human. But his capabilities aren''t human-like at all.


    ''Well, whether we can use mana or not doesn''t matter in the bigger picture. What matters most is that in this world. We are the minority. And one knows what humanity can do to minorities.'' Charlotte felt that their future would be rocky from this very moment.


    ''Oh, well¡­ I''ll let the Fleet Admiral handle it.'' Charlotte thought to herself and turned her attention to the diplomatic talks before her. After all, the other side was about to start the negotiation.


    "First, we will discuss our demands." Captain Stolz said with determination.


    "The Colonial Dominion of Terra has the right over the entire sea region. It is under the authority of the Viceroy and the dominion of the Sovereigns. Your forces are breaking that covenant and are intriguing our jurisdiction. Do you have anything to say?"


    Captain Stolz''s words wereced with arrogance. He was looking down on the United Navy as if they were pests invading his backyard. If they didn''t follow his demands, he would destroy them until nothing was left.


    Charlotte looked at him without giving much of a reaction. His arrogant tone and his disy of woeful power didn''t bother her at all.


    "First of all. The United Navy has jurisdictions over 200 kilometers from their territorialnd. We were merely securing our borders, to not let random pirates try to bother us. I don''t have much to say, and we won''t apologize for it."


    Her stance was pretty clear. The United Navy doesn''t care about some weird divine right over an entire sea. What was near them was what they owned.


    "I see¡­ Is this your stance about the matter?" Captain Stolz questioned while Charlotte didn''t reply. He furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his fist before continuing.


    "If then, we shall make our demands."


    "The so-called United Navy of yours must be dissolved. You will ept the rule and authority of the Sovereigns. You will surrender your technology and vessels to our fleet. You are fortunate to have received this chance."


    The demands of the bastards were a lot greedier than expected. They wanted the dissolution of the United Navy, taking its vessels and technology, while its personnel became mere servants to them.


    The previously calm Charlotte felt a nerve popping up on her forehead. The gal of the assh*le to say such a hideous thing before her. It made her want to shoot him in the head.


    ''Calm yourself, Charlotte. Handle the talks with rationality.'' Charlotte calmed herself down and halted her body from doing something stupid. It would be problematic if the United Navy started the war.


    "This is a diplomatic talk. You don''t have the right or ce to demand ownership over the United Navy." The Vice Admiral coldly responded to Captain Stolz. Her gaze was piercing yet empty.


    Hearing the words of the Vice Admiral, the edges of Captain Stolz''s lips rose. A smirk emerged on his face as he looked down at the annoying insects before him.


    "You seem to have misunderstood something. We don''t treat you as equals. You''re a tiny bug we can easily crush, so we have given you a chance for mercy. And this is what you do?" He furrowed his eyebrows and continued.


    "You''re nothing more but pests that can''t even use magic. Don''t overestimate yourselves and ept our demands. Or, there will be nothing left of you after this."


    Theodore wanted to facepalm after hearing the words of Captain Stolz. It seems that the demands of the Sovereigns were a lot deeper than expected. Well, it was somewhat understandable.


    The technology the so-called United Navy had was lucrative. If the Sovereigns get their hands on it, they might be able to advance the power of their fleets.


    "If this is what you''re nning to talk about in our diplomatic talks, then let''s have it canceled. I don''t intend to listen to your demands." Charlotte sighed and turned her back from the Evesting Sun.


    Captain Stolz gritted his teeth and felt that he wasn''t being taken seriously by the pests before him. This was the first time this had happened. Were they a lot stronger than they expected? Or were they simply ignorant of Principatus Humanum?


    "Do you think we will let you leave?" Captain Stolz said to the runicmunicator. A Magus swiftly teleported into the decks of the UNS Light Bringer to attack the Vice Admiral.


    But before he could take a single step in the destroyer''s decks, a deafening echo followed.


    *BANG!*


    The Magus''s head exploded while his cracked shield crumbled apart in a second. He fell to the floor leaving a corpse and bloodstain on the UNS Light Bringer''s decks.


    "It seems that you weren''t nning for a diplomatic talk since the beginning." Vice Admiral Charlotte coldly remarked while staring at Captain Stolz and War Master Theodore with arrogance.


    "We can see this as the Deration of War. Or perhaps it is one." She continued walking away while the Marines guarded her with utmost efficiency.


    "War Master Theodore¡­" Captain Stolz nced at the War Master, desiring for his help. While Theodore didn''t want to provoke an opponent, Captain Stolz had the orders of the Sovereigns. It wasn''t something he could easily ignore.


    "I''ll take her out." War Master Theodore took out his grimoire and prepared a lightning bolt spell. It should be enough to take out a mana-less human.


    *Crack!*


    A crack of thunder escaped the confines of Theodore''s spell circle. In an instant, it arrived behind the Vice Admiral, but before it could hit her, an arm emerged out of nowhere and blocked it.


    It was pale and slim, signifying that it came from a woman.


    "My, my¡­ Captain Stolz, you''re the same as before." An arrogant voice echoed throughout the sea. Thedy-like figure behind the Vice Admiral raised her head, revealing her face to the two in the Evesting Sun.


    "Dragoness!?"


    "How?"


    From the scene of the devastated remains of escort ships and the corpse of the Elder Leviathan, they had concluded that it was a three-way fight. A battle between their force, the unknown force, and the dragoness.


    To think that the dragoness and the unknown force were allies all along. Especially when the people in the so-called United Navy were also humans on their own.


    "You actually attacked the stone-faced girl. He''ll be angry about this, you know?" Lace uttered with a teasing tone and disappeared from her position.


    She appeared beside Captain Stolz and tapped his shoulder, sending an electric current to his spine.

 Chapter 79: | 079 | Inciting Incident

    "Argh!" Captain Stolz yelped out in pain and immediately fell to the ground with a thud. Lace stood from behind and smirked smugly as though she handled some pest. The reserved Magus in the Evesting Sun swiftly surrounded her with Theodore leading them.


    All of them had their grimoires opened, though it was hard to hide their anxious expressions from the dragoness. After all, they had met with the dragoness before, and things didn''t end well for their fleet.


    Even though most of them were a lot weaker than before than they were now. The terror of the dragoness seeped itself deep into their heart.


    Meanwhile, War Master Theodore was surprised. He didn''t expect the dragoness to grow even stronger. And what bothered him the most was the electricity that sometimes escaped her body.


    "Electricity? How could you control it? Fire is your element dragoness! What have you done!?" Theodore yelled at the dragoness with a dumbfounded expression.


    His terror was understandable. Something or someone strong that could grow stronger? That was a greater threat than a weak foe with great potential. It was something they needed to be extinguished.


    Otherwise, humanity''s dominance will be in question!


    "Oh, you mean this?" With a flick of her fingers, electricity crackled in the air and crashed to the nearby Magus. Obviously, the electric current scattered along their shields, which cracked upon contact.


    "How have you gained such power!?" Theodore uttered in shock as the more Lace disyed her new electrostatic abilities, the more astounded he became.


    "That''s a secret, of course¡­ You think I''m gonna tell you, Theodore?" Lace smiled before her golden irises gleamed with radiance. "You know."


    "You''ll pay for what you did to the stone-faced."


    The electrostatic force around the air got stronger as cracks of lightning escaped the body of the dragoness. Various Magus in the Evesting Sun prepared several defensive spells against the impending attack of the dragoness.


    War Master Theodore also activated his runic defensive spells scattered throughout the Evesting Sun along with various offensive spells against the dragoness. He had already prepared himself for battle, so it was a matter of activating it.


    The deck of the Evesting Sun was tense. The dragoness and the other side prepared themselves for battle. But it soon changed when something sounded out in the tense standoff.


    "Lace, the Fleet Admiral wants you to stop." The aloof voice of Charlotte pierced from the runicmunicator in the unmoving Captain Stolz''s hand.


    Hearing the words of the Vice Admiral, the electrostatic surrounding the dragoness calmed down. She stood quietly on the floor with a pout while replying to the stone-faced girl in the runicmunicator.


    "Stone-faced girl, Isn''t this the perfect time to decimate them? If we take care of them now, we won''t have anyone bothering us anymore." Unexpectedly, the problem dragon had a somewhat good idea.


    "Well, that does sound sensible¡­" Quite surprisingly, the Vice Admiral wasn''t against the idea of decimating their enemies before they could make trouble for the United Navy.


    "But the Fleet Admiral has another idea in mind. Return back." With the clear orders of the Vice Admiral, the dragoness could only sigh in disappointment while sorrowfully ncing at the group of Magus.


    "Theodore, you''re pretty lucky at this moment. But who knows what will happen in the future if you dare to stand before me." Lace gazed down at the War Master with an arrogant expression before disappearing from the spot.


    Silence soon shrouded the decks of Evesting Sun, but the aloof voice of Charlotte sounded out from the runicmunicator once again.


    "It seems that our dragoness has brought you a lot of trouble."


    The caring words of the Vice Admiral sounded arrogant to the ones inside the Evesting Sun. The fact that their enemy managed to get into the deck and attack their captain without much of a problem was something that would etch itself into their hearts.


    Most of them had their eyebrows furrowed and immediately surrounded the captain. Meanwhile, War Master Theodore stood beside the runicmunicator and took it away from the hands of the captain.


    "The Fleet of Principatus Humanum wouldn''t take this lying. This is yourst chance to ept our demands without punishment." With a squinted eye, the War Master gave his final warning.


    A battle won without fighting was the greatest victory of all. A surrendering enemy was better than a determined one. That was the philosophy that propelled War Master Theodore into his current state.


    "I believe we have made our stance clear, War Master. The United Navy will continue to be independent and free onward into the future. No matter how much you threaten us, we will not buckle." Charlotte replied with an indifferent tone.


    "You must not underestimate the power of the Sovereigns. A single one of them can turn this sea upside down. Even your dragoness stands no chance against them." What Theodore said was the truth.


    The Sovereigns were like the apex of Maguskind. Their magicraft bordered the realms of the divine as though they were manipting reality itself.


    One of them can split the seas with one spell and copse the heavens if they desire to do so.


    "A group of Magus that are like gods? How interesting¡­ They must be the apex of humanity''s authority and power over this world. But it seems that they are far from enough." The Vice Admiral''s words resounded throughout the decks of the battleship.


    "Otherwise, they should have conquered the world by now. There are many races other than humanity, thriving in this world. Perhaps, they have individuals that rival these so-called Sovereigns."


    "If this is true, that means they aren''t as all-power and all-mighty as they consider themselves to be. Though¡­ They might be the closest."


    "ording to your words, the Sovereigns are a group of the strongest Magus in this world. But despite being under one banner, none seemed to bother the circumstances outside of Europa and continued to stay in it."


    "What do you think that means? It sounds pretty simple. They don''t trust one another in their so-called countries. Basic distrust between rulers that fakes unity for authority." Her voice was akin to a mocking one.


    "Are you underestimating their power? They might not be the strongest, but a pest like you is something they can easily st in their spare time." Theodore uttered through the runicmunicator as he was beginning to be pissed off.


    "Oh, no, no¡­ You seem to be misunderstanding something, War Master." The teasing voice continued as though the so-called aloof Vice Admiral wasn''t bothered by the increasing anger of the War Master.


    "I am not underestimating any of you. We might be a pest to you and your Sovereigns, but a cockroach can survive a nuclear st if needed." In the Combat Information Center, Charlotte smirked while Lace seemed smug beside her.


    "What I''m trying to say is that¡­ Don''t underestimate us."


    "We might get defeated, but your so-called dominion will lose all of its limbs as a result."


    "After all, we are the United Navy."


    Before War Master Theodore could continue hearing the words of the Vice Admiral, a Magus called out for him and pointed at the horizon.


    "War Master Theodore! A fleet of warships are heading towards us!"

 Chapter 80: | 080 | Diplomatic Retreat?

    "What the-" Theodore uttered in shock as he watched metallic warships rise from the boundless lines of the vast horizon. It appears that the so-called United Navy was of greater threat than they had previously imagined.


    "War Master, what should we do?" One of the Magus beside him inquired as they needed someone to lead them with their captainpletely unconscious on the floor.


    "How''s Captain Stolz?" Theodore asked since the captain of the Evesting Sun or the suprememander of Principatus Humanum must not die.


    A Magus who was taking care of the unconscious captain calmly replied to the War Master.


    "The captain is not dead, War Master Theodore. It seems that the dragoness didn''t kill him, but I doubt there would be no consequences for what she had done."


    Hearing the words of the Magus, Theodore furrowed his eyebrows as the situation was far from good. Theirmanding officer was out, which meant that he was the next.


    Will he continue to set out on what they were trying to do and fight against the United Navy before them?


    The Fleet of Principatus Humanum was far from its strongest state yet. And their enemies had the dragoness in their ranks. They were practically at a disadvantage.


    "Hey, War Master. Are you there? I''m waiting for your reply." In the runicmunicator, Charlotte''s aloof voice sounded out once again.


    Theodore turned his attention towards it and decided to halt the action against the United Navy until Captain Stolz recovered from his current state.


    With this in mind, he took a deep breath and spoke through the runicmunicator as calmly as possible.


    "You are lucky, girl." Through Theodore''s response, the path the Principatus Humanum was taking was obvious to perceive.


    "It seems that we are in agreement, War Master." In the Combat Information Center of the UNS Light Bringer, Vice Admiral Charlotte was smiling while talking with War Master Theodore.


    It appears she was having fun with the discussion brewing under the runicmunicator.


    "Don''t be arrogant, girl. You have awoken a sleeping beast. Your United Navy will be stomped upon by monsters beyond your understanding." Theodore warned once again as the tone of Charlotte was vexing.


    "Take your time and leave our territory. I hope your forces won''t pass along this part of the sea without permission. Otherwise, they will be plucked off the skies and sunk into the seas."


    Charlotte continued speaking as though not bothering to think much of the old man''s rambles. She had already understood the power of the Sovereigns. Reminding her over and over again was bing annoying for the aloof Vice Admiral.


    "Are you threatening us?" Theodore questioned with a cold tone. Being threatened by some organization that wasn''t heard anywhere in the Ferus Sea was akin to a bad joke.


    "Please don''t misunderstand, War Master. The United Navy doesn''t threaten. We warn." While Charlotte was uttering such words, Lace stood beside the Vice Admiral while roasting some marshmallows with her fingers.


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow when she noticed what Lace was trying to do beside her and pped her fingers that flickered fire away.


    "Don''t y with fire inside the Combat Information Center. Everything around us is sensitive equipment." She admonished Lace of what the problem dragon had done and turned her attention to the runicmunicator.


    On the other hand, Lace felt incredulous but simply nodded while taking a bit from her somewhat roasted marshmallow. The sweets of the United Navy were incredibly addicting.


    "Then, I won''t take your warning to heart," Theodore responded to the runicmunicator and nced at the Magus around him. Captain Stolz had already returned to his quarters where he would take a rest as they returned.


    As he was the currentmander of Principatus Humanum, those around him would have to follow their orders regardless of their thoughts about him.


    "I have decided for us to retreat and regroup with more of our forces."


    "Our current fleet is at a disadvantage against our adversaries. Unless you want to sink into the ocean with the ship, you''ll have to follow my orders for now." Theodore said with a stern voice.


    "Understood?!" He questioned the group of Magus around him. They nodded in agreement and followed through his orders. Even they weren''t that confident against a skirmish with a force that had the dragoness on their side.


    "Well, then¡­ Prepare for mass spatial transmission. Let us return to where we came from. The longer we stay here, the riskier it bes." Theodore ordered through the runicmunicator and the War Masters throughout the fleet immediately acted.


    Each battleship''s War Masters activated the mass spatial transmission array with War Master Theodore leading them. It was quite an intriguing scene as a vast spell circle formed in the skies above the Fleet of Principatus Humanum.


    Two clicks away from the designated location for the diplomatic talks. A middle-aged man with a Fleet Admiral''s uniform stood inside the bridge with a smirk stered on his face.


    He looked at the spectacr sight before him and couldn''t help but smirked from it.


    "It appears that our Vice Admiral seeded. Here I thought we would have to blow those medieval battleships to make a point. I guess there''s no need to do so."


    Abraham uttered with unnatural calm. At the very least, the United Navy wouldn''t have to fight and have greater time to prepare for the inevitable.


    "Damn¡­ Their instant-transportation capabilities make me jealous." He shook his head with a tinge of disappointment on his face. The ability to teleport warships was overpowered.


    With the capabilities of the United Navy to gather and send intelligence throughout the seas, it would be a game changer in strategies and logistics.


    The vast spell circle above the Fleet of Principatus Humanum shone greatly and the space around the fleet distorted. It was like seeing the skies and the sea itself wobble.


    Then, in a mere instant, the Fleet of Principatus Humanum disappeared.


    It ended in a diplomatic sess in terms of not duking it out the moment it failed.

 Chapter 81: | 081 | Operation Daedalus Status Report

    "Charlotte, it seems that Operation Daedalus was a sess." Inside the bridge of UNS Trinity of Sce, Abraham was conversing with the Vice Admiral through themunication apparatus of the bridge, currently operated by variousmunication operators.


    *It was a sess, Fleet Admiral. We managed to get them to back down.* Charlotte''s aloof voice escaped the confines of the machine. It looks like the Vice Admiral wasn''t that much bothered by the diplomatic talk.


    "From your tone, although not bothered, it must have been troublesome," Abraham remarked as he knew the tinge of difference within Charlotte''s tone. She might not be bothered, but she obviously found it problematic.


    *They were arrogant as expected, though their capability was higher than we had expected.* Charlotte responded to the Fleet Admiral. The arrogance of the Magus was as natural as the sun rising from the east, but their power was higher than previously thought.


    ''Higher, huh? I guess I was correct about prioritizing not duking it out with those guys.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself before returning his attention to their conversation.


    "Charlotte, how stronger are they? And if we fought against them, who would win?" He asked the most important question. Its answer mattered a lot to the United Navy.


    Abraham trusted Charlotte''s judgment and wit. She would understand when to fight her battles and not charge directly in it without much thought.


    *Hmm¡­ That is an interesting question, Fleet Admiral. Clearly, we would win against them. But perhaps a third of our fleet will be sunk. Even if we had Lace''s assistance.*


    Charlotte''s answer surprised Abraham. It seems that the capabilities of these guys weren''t to be underestimated. A third of their fleet? That should be about two or more warships sunk. It would practically destroy a lot of the United Navy''s naval power.


    "How so, Charlotte? How do you think they could defeat our ships?" Abraham questioned as even he found it hard to believe. He wanted to know the Vice Admiral''s detailed thoughts about the matter.


    *Well, to say the least, their ships, although wooden, are pretty gigantic. Their battleships are pretty much simr to our world''s Man-O-War, but a lot bigger. They are also pretty fast, only a bit slower than our warships.*


    *They have hundreds upon hundreds of cannons each on their starboard and port. The power of such cannons is unknown, but with the existence of magicraft. Who knows what they were capable of.*


    *Not only that, but they can pretty much teleport with a War Mastermanding each battleship. I assume they will be a lot more skilledpared to the ones in the escort ships. That''s also not speaking about the Magus on their capital battleship.*


    *Although weak against our attacks, a group of them might be able to dish out some unknown spell. So all in all, we are mostly ignorant of their capabilities as they are to ours.*


    *Fighting against one another doesn''t bring much benefit. We''ll lose our firepower in the fight, and what''s to say those bigwigs won''t send more? At the very least, they will consider us a threat this time and take their time to prepare.*


    *We can also bid ours and prepare for the uing war.* Charlotte''s exnation was somewhat long, but Abraham understood its intricacies.


    What she meant to say was that they had little to no information against their enemies. Fighting against an unknown enemy was but a foolish endeavor of those looking for fame.


    "That does make sense, Charlotte. I guess a war is inevitable." Abraham sighed as thinking a war wasing waspletely different from your trusted adviser saying that a war was heading in their direction.


    *This is the destiny of those who won''t follow the system of those in authority. War was always inevitable for the United Navy. Our values are too different from theirs.* Charlotte replied from the other side.


    Values, wealth, power, territory, culture, and history. There were many reasons why civilizations fought against one another. Not because of the whims of a single human.


    If it was, no one would have fought in it.


    But before Abraham could rabble in his thoughts, the smug voice of the problem dragon echoed from themunication array. Her words echoed throughout the bridge, and it made Abraham raise an eyebrow.


    *Oh, Abraham. Did you know that they personally attacked Charlotte during the diplomatic talk? She almost died if it wasn''t for me blocking it with my legendary arms!* Although the tone made it sound like they had gone through a party, the content within it was problematic.


    "Attacked? You were assaulted, Charlotte?" Abraham furrowed his eyebrows as he never thought that those bastards would have the gal to attack one of his precious subordinates.


    *After hearing their outrageous demands, I ended the diplomatic talk and promptly returned to the Combat Information Center. But on the way of doing so, a Magus teleported near me but was quickly sted by our anti-material rifle.*


    *Themander of the fleet ordered his War Master to cast a spell to attack me, but luckily Lace blocked the lightning bolt.* Hearing Charlotte''s exnation, nerves popped up on Abraham''s forehead.


    He thought he was hearing a joke, but he was not. Those f*ckers!


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" Abraham questioned since he couldn''t believe his Vice Admiral hid such important news from him. What made it worse was her response.


    *You didn''t ask.* The aloof tone of the Vice Admiral made Abraham even more pissed off. The fact that she used such a spell against him was unwarranted. And besides, he didn''t think that they would be that uncivilized.


    "I guess you have a point." Abraham took a deep breath and understood he couldn''t fault Charlotte for it. It was good that she didn''t get hurt from the attack.


    But that didn''t mean that he was willing to let it go. They must pay for daring to attack their precious subordinate. Without her, managing the United Navy would be a lot harder.


    He would practically be a ve behind a desk.


    That must not happen.


    "Thank you for reporting that to me, Lace. I''ll reward you once we go back." Abraham uttered to themunication array as Lace''s response swiftly followed.


    *No problem, Abraham. d to help.* Lace had a beaming smile while Charlotte looked at her with an using expression as though saying that the problem dragon was a snitch.


    "We''ll have to haltmunication for now and return to the Port of Dawn. Take care." Abraham said and looked at themunication operator to turn off the transmission.


    Themunication operator did so and silence followed. Most naval personnel were busy with their respective duties, so the bridge was mostly silent during the entire time unless they found themselves in battle.


    "We cannot be passive after this. Those guys have to pay, Systema." Abraham quietly mumbled to himself and received a chime of a mechanical bell inside his head.


    *Ding!*


    | I have the same thoughts, Fleet Admiral. The Naval Gacha System and its System Apparatus are ready. |


    ''Alright¡­ Give me a Naval Task, Systema." For the second time, Abraham asked for a Naval Task to the Naval Gacha System. Another mechanical bell rang inside his head and a monotone voice followed.


    *Ding!*


    | Naval Task mission issued! |


    | Prompting Mission ssification¡­ |


    | (Liberation) mission received! |

 Chapter 82: | 082 | War For Liberation Part 1: Alpha Vanguard Strike Force

    Somewhere over 300 hundred kilometers westward from the ind of Crescere.


    On the stormy night amidst the constant heavy rainfall and surging winds, three V-22 Ospreys soared through the turbulent night skies with a determined destination. They were the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force of thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.


    Within the leading V-22 Osprey was First Lieutenant Campbell with two squads of the Alpha 1st toon. He sat together with his subordinates while the interiors of the transport aircraft trembled from the torrid sky.


    Campbell and his crew had already been briefed about what their mission was as the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force of the Spear of Longinus.


    But as per protocol, it was good to remind them of their current objectives before arrival.


    With this in mind, the first lieutenant nced at his subordinates who were sitting in silence, and began speaking to them with a calm voice.


    "As briefed beforehand, our mission as the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force is to strike deeper into enemy lines and cause chaos throughout it," Campbell said to his subordinates and continued.


    "The first thing we need to do is strike their designated armories. The second is to cause chaos amongst their ranks as much as possible. And finally, the third¡­ We must take down their coastal defensive fortifications and tforms before the arrival of the fleet."


    "Am I understood?" First Lieutenant Campbell questioned his subordinates with a stern gaze.


    All of them saluted at the same time, fully understanding what the mission was all about. It would be difficult, but it wasn''t something impossible for the Marines.


    For they were the warriors of thend and sea.


    Seeing the determined salute of his subordinates, Campbell nodded in satisfaction. This would be their first operation deep into enemy lines. Some might die in this battle, but the Marines wouldn''t fail it.


    Before the first lieutenant could continue with his thoughts, thems inside the cargo bay of the Osprey had an announcement to the Marines.


    *Alpha Vanguard Strike Force, we are 10 clicks away from the drop zone. ETA 1 minute.*


    Following the announcement of the pilots, everyone in the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force under themand of First Lieutenant Campbell prepared themselves.


    They checked their rifles, ammunition, and utilities before being dropped from the skies. They also took their time making sure that they were wearing their parachutes correctly and that it was as functional as intended to be.


    Their preparation was short-lived, onlysting 20 seconds.


    A red light gleamed over them as they stood up from their seats. The interiors of the transport aircraft kept vibrating. Signifying a violent storm outside.


    When there were 20 seconds left, they turned their bodies towards the rear of the aircraft as Campbell stood in front of them.


    "Be careful to not hurt any of the locals. We don''t want rtions to fall with the ones we are supposed to liberate." First Lieutenant Campbell warned his men.


    *Alpha Vanguard Strike Force, we have arrived at our drop zone. Operation is open,*


    The voice of the pilot sounded out once again as the red light that shrouded them turned green in an instant. It was finally time to start the mission.


    "Alright, Marines!" Campbell yelled while the rear loading ramp opened. The silence faded immediately followed by the loud roar of the storm. The wet windy gust rushed into the loading ramp as thunder cracked in the background.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    shes of light revealed the thick storm clouds enveloping the skies. It was quite a horrific scene. But for the Marines, it was merely Friday.


    "Take the leap!" With First Lieutenant Campbell''s order, the Marines in the front hopped off the Osprey and dived into the stormy night skies. Many more followed as Campbell skillfully assisted them in their dive.


    When thest Marine left the confines of the Osprey, it was Campbell''s turn to dive with them. But before he did so, he nced in the direction of the cockpit and radioed the pilots.


    "Take care, Liberty 1." He said before diving into the turbulent storm without fear in his eyes. He could hear the echoes of the pilot''s response to him.


    *We will expect for all of you to return, First Lieutenant.*


    Campbell merely cracked a smile from it and turned his attention to the violent storm. The heavy rain and the rushing wind were everywhere and he could feel them through his suit.


    Despite the chaotic state of the skies, he could only hear his breathing echoing in his ears. He breathed as calmly as possible while passing through various bitter clouds.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    Deafening thunderbolts shed across the frigid night skies as though gods were fighting inside of them. He squinted his eyes when they gleamed radiantly in the darkness and maintained his attention to his mission.


    Nheless, the scene was to be enjoyed by the Marines.


    As he reached 100 meters from the ground, his parachute immediately opened and stopped him from diving further. He glided across the sky, barely controlling the parachute because of the rushing winds of the storm.


    Luckily though, the low-altitude winds weren''t as bad as the high-altitude ones. Otherwise, they would have been dragged somewhere far from their designated drop zone.


    In the middle of a particr ntation, several parachutes fell gently from the stormy heavens. There were over a dozen of them, looking as though it was an invasion.


    But without the lightning shing the entirety of the heavens, it would be hard to see them falling from the skies. Unless one expects them, no one would practically be able to discover their infiltration.


    When First Lieutenant Campbell made hisndfall on the ntation. He swiftly dove into the mud after cushioning hisnding and took off his skydiving suit.


    He also got his backpack out, taking various utility equipment and weapons off it. Afterward, he wore his night vision helmet along with radio earpieces to his ears and armed himself with a rifle.


    Campbell then checked his surroundings and discovered himself to be in the middle of a vast ntation. He carefully scrutinized his surroundings before checking into the radio.


    "This is Alpha Vanguard 6, rendezvous in designated coordinates."


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-6, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-6, Roger.*


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-5, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-5, Roger.*


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-4, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-4, Roger.*


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-3, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-3, Roger.*


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-2, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-2, Roger.*


    *Alpha Vanguard 1-1, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-1, Roger.*


    With the following response of his strike teams, First Lieutenant Campbell sighed in relief. He took out apass and saw where northward was. He closed thepass and followed the direction it pointed with silence, cautiousness, and stealth.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    Thunder cracks roared once again, illuminating the entirety of the heavens. The heavy rainfall masked Campbell''s footsteps while the night shrouded his body.


    It didn''t take long before the first lieutenant arrived at the rendezvous point. But before heading towards it, he uttered their confirmation code amidst the shrouding darkness.


    "Liberty Prime."


    After such words escaped his mouth, the bushes ruffled and several figures revealed themselves. It seems that the Alpha Vanguard 1 Team has arrived first.


    "First Lieutenant."

 Chapter 83: | 083 | War For Liberation Part 2: Operation Phantom Liberation

    A couple of hours before Vanguard Strike Force deployment into the field.


    Inside themand center of the United Navy within the defense sector of the Port of Dawn, an intelligence officer stood on the stage with various documents in her arms. She stood with confidence and calm, facing the audience before her.


    In front of the intelligence officer was the task force for the current operation. They numbered around 40 for this operation through the deployment of three V-22 Ospreys.


    "The Fleet Admiral and the Vice Admiral have forged a mission to liberate colonized settlements throughout the sea region. This will be our first operation since the beginning of the war between us and the Colonial Dominion of Terra."


    The intelligence officer announced with a loud yet soft voice, echoing throughout the auditorium. The crowd in front gazed at her in silence, wanting her to continue.


    "The operation consists of vanguard harassing forces followed by thebined-offensive fleet of the United Navy, Spear of Longinus. All of you have been chosen as the vanguards for this operation."


    "You have most of the experience in this foreign field and can adapt aptly from unknown variables presented by magicraft." The intelligence officer uttered with utmost confidence.


    "As such, you have naturally been chosen. Now, let''s speak of what your tasks are in this operation." She continued while taking out various documents.


    Nearby, intelligence officers also helped and ryed the documents to the personnel in the auditorium. It took some time, but most finally got their hands on their needed document.


    "First, let us talk about our primary target for this week." As she spoke, the lights of the auditorium turned off and the projector opened. It revealed an overview of an ind''s entirety.


    "Through various interrogations of captured prisoners of war. We have gained intelligence about an ind westward of Crescere. It is about 300 kilometers away, and is the nearest."


    "The ind has no name, but the settlement residing in itsnd does. It''s called the ntation Colony Servusarator. It is somewhatrge, with the sizeparable to 3/4 of Crescere."


    "The ntation Colony Servusarator is mostly filled to the brim with t and arablend, making it the perfect farming ind state of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. The problem is¡­ How they operate their ntations."


    The intelligence officer stopped for a second and continued. But most of the personnel in the auditorium understood what she was about to discuss in the next moment.


    "The colony runs a vast ve-ntationwork throughout the ind. ording to our allied beastfolk refugees, these ves are called the Minokin. A humanoid bull."


    "The colonists in the ntation used the Minokin to plow through dirt and cultivate the ntation. Through our estimates, there might be thousands of them enved on the ind. They will be the ones we will liberate from their so-called owners."


    The auditorium found itself in a tense atmosphere. very was never a good subject within the United Navy. The fact that many were operating before their eyes without the hammer of justice made them disgusted with humanity in this world.


    "Don''t they have magic? Why can''t they use it to magically farm in their farnds?" One of the audience questioned as he couldn''t believe that humans with something called magic still enved others.


    "Well, to answer your question. You must understand themon sense of this world. A Magus is amongst the highest in aristocracy. Those that can use magic have wealth, power, and fame. They consider it an insult to farm food for themselves."


    "To them, farming is the job of the lowest in the caste. The duty ofmoners and ves was to feed them. After all, they have magic. The honored ones of the heavens."


    "A peace treaty is impossible in our circumstances. They are too different from us and since we don''t have a tinge of mana inside our bodies. They will consider us as sub-humans. None of them will even consider us as a part of humanity."


    "We will be akin to a beastfolk in their eyes."


    The intelligence officer efficiently responded to the questions of the personnel. It was understandable to think that with magic, society would be stabler than before.


    But most forget that magic was but an exclusive tool. Those that have it have greater leverage than those that don''t.


    "Anyway, regardless of their minded dominion, let us continue with our discussion." She decided to change the subject away from the current one as they weren''t handling the difference between themselves and others yet.


    The audience has the same thoughts as they wish to know more about the uing operation of the United Navy.


    "As said before, you will be the reconnaissance and harassing vanguard force of the Spear of Longinus. Your job is to infiltrate deeper into enemy territory and destroy armories along with various defensive fortifications in these beaches."


    In the projector, a map of the ind appeared with the beaches encircled. The personnel looked at it with a scrutinizing gaze while the intelligence officer continued.


    "Point A, Point B, and Point C will be the designated targets for this operation. Point B and Point C will be blockaded by UNS Marina and UNS Zarya respectively. They will prevent information from getting out of the ind."


    "On the other hand, most of the Spear of Longinus will be beyond the beaches of Point A. This beach Is amongst the most heavily defended part of the ind ording to our intel. The reason is mostly because it is incredibly near the colony''s settlement, Servusarator."


    "It will be ournding point, so the fortifications of the beach must be destroyed before thending in ETA 1200 Tomorrow." The intelligence officer calmly exined to the personnel about their targets and timeline for thending.


    "The Vanguard Strike Force will be separated into three task forces." She uttered with an aloof tone while giving three fingers to the audience before her.


    "The first one would be led by First Lieutenant Campbell of the Alpha 1st toon, the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force. The second one would be led by Lieutenant Colonel Aqu of the Aerial Cavalry, the Bravo Vanguard Strike Force."


    "And finally the third one¡­ It would be led by Lieutenant Lace of the Special Response Unit, the Special Vanguard Strike Force." The intelligence officer introduced the three task forces to the personnel.


    "Let us first start with the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force." She turned her gaze towards the blond man sitting in the forefront of the auditorium.


    "First Lieutenant Campbell, this will be your task force''s assignment."


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    *BANG!*


    Thunder cracked in the background as a bright sh instantaneously covered the turbulent night skies. The winds surged with unrivaled violence as the heavy rain tormented the earth, It was one stormy night.


    In the Servusarator''s ntation located in the western part of the ind, the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force had made their rendezvous,pleting their first task on the ind.


    "Who''s the one that made the code? What the hell is Liberty Prime?" One of the Marines quietlyined as he was vexed by the code they needed to say to confirm one another.


    "At the very least, it ain''t F*ck Me." Another Marine silently responded, making theining one know that it ain''t the worst code on the battlefield.


    "Quiet, all of you. Let us start the mission." First Lieutenant Campbell stopped them from going further with their conversation and wanted the subject to be back to their mission. And it did, the attention of the Marines was on him.


    "We have been assigned the west side of the ind where Point A resides. Our mission is to target these armories scattered throughout the ntations and destroy the fortifications in Point A." He calmly exined to his men.


    "Can we also take care of the barracks?" One of them had a good suggestion in mind. Taking care of the soldiers would take care of most of their problems. But¡­ Barracks were amongst the most heavily defended and active ces in any military.


    Though, it wasn''t impossible, to say the least.


    "We may do so, but our focus must be our given objectives. The armories and fortifications will be nted with C4s first. After that, we can do anything we want that can be thought of as harassment."


    First Lieutenant Campbell wasn''t against the idea, but he needed to remind them that their official objectives were up and foremost in the mission.


    "Okay, the third debriefing is finished. Let''s start the operation." Campbell nodded to his men and they nodded in reply.


    "Good, let''s head there first. Kill any armed colonist, apprehend both beastfolk and unarmed colonists that dare to attract attention." He pointed at a nearby building with various glowingnterns.


    It was obviously a building used for managing the nearby ntation fields.


    The Alpha Vanguard Strike Force walked through the muddied fields as their dark uniforms and helmets made them invisible in the dark. They also didn''t need shlights with the assistance of their night vision helmets.


    It didn''t take long for them to arrive near the target building. They hid amongst the bushes and shrubs while the storm ravaged the outside.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    Thunder cracked once again illuminating both the heavens and the earth with its gleaming light. The Alpha Vanguard Strike Force disappeared from the spot and stood beside the unlit back doors of the building.


    First Lieutenant Campbell stood beside the door and signaled his men to surround it. After they were positioned, he got one of them to open the door to the medieval stone building.


    As the door opened, the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force entered with stealth, silence, and ease.


    Like ghosts of the night, never to be heard of ever again.

 Chapter 84: | 084 | War For Liberation Part 3: Deep Infiltration

    *BANG!*


    Inside a particr building somewhere in the ntation of Servusarator. The thunder deafening rumbled in the background, casting shes of radiance through the closed windows. It brought about light for an instant, revealing dark figures treading silently in the hallway.


    The Alpha Vanguard Strike Force. A vanguard task force led by First Lieutenant Campbell had begun their operation. Their tasks¡­ The destruction of various armories and fortifications scattered throughout the west side of the ind along with bringing untold chaos.


    First Lieutenant Campbell was at the forefront, leading his team onward into the darkness. Gazing through the night vision helmet, he observed the long hallway and corners of the medieval building.


    As they reached a corner, they saw an entrance to a room. First Lieutenant Campbell stopped and hid in the corner while gazing at the inactive entrance. He signaled his team to carefully move forward, while some would take care of the room.


    Campbell stood beside the doorway and got his men to prepare for an intrusion. In a finger count of three¡­ two¡­ one¡­ The group of four Marines entered the room with silence on their backs.


    They saw a couple of bunks with warriors sleeping on them. None seemed to bebat-ready, though it was understandable as this building was deep inside enemy territory.


    One would expect their enemy to start their infiltration in the deepest part of their influence. Naturally, the United Navy had other ways to infiltrate and that was through the skies.


    Campbell nced at the sleeping men for some time and signaled his Marines to take care of them. The Marines nodded and positioned themselves. The first lieutenant did the same, and in five seconds, they were ready.


    He looked at his soldiers and nodded at them before pulling the trigger.


    *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!*


    In a second, everyone sleeping in the room died without resistance and suffering. An ignorant death where they would find themselves in a slumber till the end of time.


    After Campbell and his Marines took care of the sleeping warriors, they left the room and followed the main group.


    It didn''t take long before they reached the staircase of the building where the main group hid themselves in the corners while pointing their rifles at the upper staircase. At this moment, the first lieutenant decided for the task force to be separated into various fireteams.


    This would increase their efficiency and versatility in taking care of the adversaries in the building.


    "We''ll separate into four-man fireteams. Each one will handle a single floor. Second Lieutenant Diego, take a fire team and handle the basement." Campbell ordered his men and sent a couple of signals to them.


    All of his men nodded in agreement and separated themselves respectively into three fireteams. One would handle the basement. The second would handle the second floor. And the third would take care of the third floor.


    Second Lieutenant Diego, a Mexican Marine, nced at the wooden door leading to the expected basement. He looked at his men and nodded at them before moving forward.


    Meanwhile, Campbell''s fireteam and the other fireteam moved upward through the staircase. Each of their steps was careful and quiet as they maintained their attention to whatever was in front of them.


    When they reached the second floor of the building. The second lieutenant of the second fireteam nodded at Campbell. The first lieutenant nodded back and continued treading through the staircase.


    On the other hand, the second fireteam began clearing the second floor.


    Unlike the first floor of the building which was riddled with hallways, the second floor was instead brimming with rooms. This would be problematic as it would be somewhat difficult for the fireteam to take care of them one by one.


    As the second fireteam carefully tread through the second floor''s halls with one of them watching the back, the other observing the sides, and another looking at the front while the second lieutenant stood beside the first door of the second floor.


    The second fireteam soon surrounded the first door and the second lieutenant could hear voices inside of it. It was at this moment he realized they would be entering an active room.


    To enter this room, there were many ways. One was to forcefully open the door with guns zing. The other was to forcefully open the door and throw a stun grenade inside before intrusion.


    Thetter was a risky move to make as stun grenades tend to be loud. The moment it explodes. It would probably alert everyone on the second floor.


    So, as ironic as it gets, guns zing was the greatest action they could do. But before doing so, the second lieutenant waited for an opportunity. He wasn''t as foolish as to do such a thing without cover.


    But what kind of cover was he asking? Well, the answer was fairly simple.


    A radiant light then shed through the windows for a moment. The second lieutenant swiftly ordered his men to prepare to break down the door in signal. Two seconds then passed, and the deafening roar followed.


    *BANG!*


    This was the signal. A Marine broke down the door with a kick and the fireteam entered the room in mere seconds. The drunk warriors inside of it were shocked and before they could react. They were shot in between their eyes, falling immediately to the ground.


    *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!*


    There were only three warriors in the room and most of them were swiftly disposed of. The second lieutenant then observed the room and found that it was the guard room. There were keys dangling on the walls, signifying the existence of cells.


    The second lieutenant furrowed his eyebrows when his eyesid upon it.


    Meanwhile, on the third floor of the building, First Lieutenant Campbell found himself and his fireteam in a hallway leading to a luxurious-looking door. This must be the door leading to the ntation manager''s office.


    With this in mind, the first lieutenant signaled them to cautiously move forward while pointing their rifles at the door.


    After some time, they arrived in front of the luxurious front door and could hear the voice of someone inside. First Lieutenant Campbell squinted his eyes, wondering what he should do against the tenant of the office.


    The first thought that appeared inside his mind was termination. But the ntation''s manager must have some intel about the locations of various armories, fortifications, and maybe secret tunnels.


    So, it might be better to gather intel from him through interrogation to precisely hit their targets in the operation.


    "Capture him for interrogation." He ordered his Marines and they nodded one after another.


    With the confirmation of his men, First Lieutenant Campbell stood in front of the door and prepared himself. After a couple of seconds, a determined gaze escaped his eyes as he kicked the door forward.


    The luxurious door couldn''t resist his kick and was sted open. The fireteam immediately entered the manager''s office with their rifles pointed at him.


    The manager of the ntation sat on afy chair and stared at them with shock. He was a fat-looking man with curly hair and beard, resembling somewhat of a conquistador.


    As he stared at them with a dumbfounded expression, a realization of his situation struck him. He immediately reached for his runicmunicator to seek help. But before he could take it, Campbell shot his wrist causing him to cry out in pain.


    *Phut!*


    *Ack!*


    A Marine appeared in front of him and broke the fat man''s teeth with the back of their assault rifle. Then, the remaining Marines tackled the manager to the ground, arresting him with several handcuffs.


    *Argh-* While handcuffing him, they also covered his mouth with a cloth to stop him from screaming further.


    First Lieutenant Campbell stood in front of the manager with a cold expression and nced at the documents on the manager''s table. He walked towards it and saw the map of the ind. There was also information about the ntation fields scattered throughout the ind.


    It seems that he wasn''t wrong about this guy being an intelligence treasure trove.


    As such, Campbell took out a lingua gem and began talking to the tackled manager who could only muffle in fear with a piece of cloth inside his mouth.


    "I''m here to ask you questions, and I expect you to answer them truthfully." He uttered with a calm yet cold tone. The manager shivered upon hearing Campbell as though death was creeping towards him.


    "The moment you scream out. I''ll cripple your arms, legs, and shoot you in the balls. You''ll die a painful death if you don''t follow instructions." First Lieutenant Campbell wasn''t holding back with the intimidation.


    "Give me a nod." Hemanded and the manager nodded without hesitation or dy.


    Campbell then smiled and signaled his Marines to take out the cloth on the manager''s mouth. After taking the cloth out of his mouth, the manager began breathing heavily in panic.


    "W-What do you want from me?"


    "Please don''t kill me. I''ll do anything you want me to do."


    The manager said in fear with trembling eyes. He was merely a manager of a ntation. Not an army general or amander of some force. His job was merely to make sure that the ves didn''t act up.


    "Good. Let''s start with what you know first. Tell me all you know about this ind. Its geography, sociology, and rtions. There''s no need to exin it quickly. I''m a patient one after all."


    "You have all the time in the world," Campbell uttered as he crouched in front of the manager with a menacing smile.

 Chapter 85: | 085 | War For Liberation Part 4: Bravo Vanguard Strike Force

    Somewhere eastward of the ntation Colony Servusarator.


    "Our rotation has gotten shorter don''t you think? And the higher-ups seem panicking for some reason." On the stormy night, a guard sat on a wooden chair with the radiance of amp gleaming over his face.


    "I heard that the colonial dominion is going to war." Another guard in front of him responded in a whisper. Subjects like these weren''t allowed to be talked about by their leaders. If discovered, they would probably face up to ten whips to the back.


    "Going to war? Who are we fighting? I doubt those animals would have made such a reaction from the higher-ups." The first guard questioned the validity of his fellow guardsman''s words.


    They had practically dominated the sea region. None inside it can escape its authority, meaning that it should have been the safest sea. After all, it was the closest to Europa.


    As a result of its close proximity to Europa, most of the naval capacity of humanity was entrenched in further colonial dominions at the edge of their influence.


    "That''s what I''m wondering about. But others said that there was a figure from the Frontiers that managed to make it here." The second guard said as quietly as possible.


    "A figure from the Frontier? How the hell did it get here?" The first guard inquired as it should have been possible for any outsider to enter the Colonial Dominion of Terra''s influence without passing through the militarized and fortified colonial dominions in the Ferus Sea.


    Though, it does make one wonder. What was the Frontier?


    Well, in simpler terms, the Frontier was a vast region of the Ferus Sea where humanity''s influence was at its lowest. In this part of the Ferus Sea, beastfolk kingdoms and the revolting rebelling forces shrouded the tides.


    "It was shocking when I heard of it, to be honest. They also heard from the higher-ups that it was none other than the Dragoness of the Revolting Tide." When the second guard uttered his words. The first guard looked at him in disbelief.


    "D-Dragoness? You aren''t joking right?" The first guard wanted confirmation whether or not what he had heard was correct.


    "I''m sadly not. The Expansionary Fleet stationed in Terra had already faced her and was forced to retreat. They are preparing for another offensive against the dragoness."


    "She might be the reason why we got forced to amp up our defensive structures and guards. Who knows¡­ Maybe that crazy monster would attack this ce." The second guard confirmed and expressed a terrible thought.


    And naturally, the first guard lightly punched him in the forehead, yelling at him for thinking such a fate.


    "F*cking hell! Are you asking for a death wish!? Have you heard about the things she had done in the Frontier? She''s a monster for god sake. We don''t want her here or anywhere at all." The first guard wanted to punch this bastard in front of him to damnation.


    To even imply that the dragoness would attack them. This guy in front of him was crazy.


    "Hey, hey¡­ I''m not saying that she''ll attack us. It''s just that. She''s in this sea region, and the inds that she could attack are something I can easily count with my fingers. And in my fingers is our ind." The second guard continued.


    "I sure hope she won''t appear anywhere near us. She might as well destroy Terra for all sake as long as she doesn''te near us" The first guard remarked as he found himself in a bad mood.


    "The moment Terra gets destroyed, we''ll disappear with it. There''s no way anyone from the very top will be ignorant the moment the Colonial Dominion''s existence gets threatened."


    The second guard responded while staring at the dark storm skies through the barely opened window. The night was turbulent yet calm. He hoped that they wouldn''t be caught in a crossfire between a monster and the Magus Tower.


    "How the hell did she even get inside the sea region without attracting attention, to begin with? Did someone smuggle her inside?" The first guardined as this sea should have been the safest of all waters in the Ferus Sea.


    "Don''t know, don''t care. The only thing we can do is react to what happens in the future." The second guard didn''t turn his attention away from the window.


    "I hope I''ll be able to retire safely and buy my own flock of ves." The second guard quietly mumbled under his breath. Having ves should make his life easy.


    Perhaps, he could be rich by bing a ntation owner. That would be an interesting dream to look at.


    But before he could continue staring through the dark field shrouded in turbulent winds and heavy rain, the second guard noticed a glint in the distance.


    He squinted his eyes, trying to understand what he was staring at. Then, unexpectedly, the glint shone brightly in a single moment. He only felt a sting of pain between his forehead before his vision turned ck.


    He fell forward to the wooden table, causing a thud to echo in the small guarding station of the northeastern defensive fortification. This caused the first guard to flinch and turn his gaze to the second guard''s head on the table.


    The first guard raised an eyebrow wondering if his buddy lost consciousness in the middle of the conversation. But as time passed, blood dripped out and gathered on the wooden table.


    It was at this moment, he realized¡­ His friend had died in the middle of their conversation. How? That was something he didn''t know, and he was horrified because of it.


    "W-What." The first guard shivered and erratically looked around to see whether someone or something was attacking them. But he couldn''t see anything peculiar.


    There was only silence and the pitch-ck.


    Before the first guard could realize it, he died and fell to the ground with a thud. A bullet hole resided above his left eye as crimson blood dripped off it.


    The windy storm of the night continued in the background before the door leading to the tiny guard station opened. What emerged were men in ck uniforms and night vision helmets. They were armed with silenced rifles, resembling executors of the night.


    "That''s the fourth guarding station down. After this, we will target the primary Point B stronghold." Lieutenant Colonel Aqu calmly uttered while picking up various papers scattered throughout the floor.


    Each paper rted to their adversaries was always considered as intelligence. So when it was possible. They weremended for collecting it for the intelligence officers.


    At any rate, they were the Bravo Vanguard Task Force. The personnel dropped into the eastern side of the ind to target the Point B and Point C beaches.


    This was to lower their coastal defenses and make sure that the United Navy hadplete control over essential choke points of the ind.


    The moment they take control of all points. Everyone and everything on the ind would practically be locked inside. The only ones that could bring them out would be the United Navy.


    Whether as prisoners of war or as criminals to be executed back in the Port of Dawn.


    "Also¡­ Have you heard about what they were discussing?" Lieutenant Colonel Aqu nced at his men with a furrowed gaze. All of them nodded as they were listening to the conversation before terminating the guards.


    "The Frontier. It seems that humanity in this world doesn''t have the entirety of the Ferus Sea in its grasp. And it looks like most of their naval power is stuck in the Frontier maintaining their influence over it."


    "I guess we were lucky to be in this part of the sea." Aqu coolly remarked before sighing to himself. It might be strange to desire weak adversaries and might appear dishonorable.


    There was nothing bad about wanting to deal with weaker enemies. Their casualties wouldn''t be high and the naval force wouldn''t be battered through constant battles.


    Though, obviously¡­ One can''t simply fight weak enemies forever. This was something Aqu understood.


    "Alright, let''s go on." Lieutenant Colonel Aqu said to his men and got out of the tiny guarding station.


    *BANG!*


    The thunder cracked, bringing about a radiant sh that pierced through the window. The silhouettes of the Bravo Vanguard Task Force emerged before fading into darkness.


    Gusts of winds continued to violently surge over the ind along with heavy rainfall. Lightning bolts flickered across the storm clouds, streaking across the skies in mere moments.


    Within the stronghold of the designated target, Point B. shes of glinting light shimmered across the hallway followed by whistling bullets hurtling through the air.


    *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!* *Phut!*


    Many guards ran for their lives and screamed in horror. But none could hear their words as the storm deafeningly roared in the background. It was a massacre, to say the least.


    The swords, armor, and flintlocks of the guards were ineffective. The armament of their unknown and hidden adversaries was too fast for them to react.


    Inside a particr office deep within the stronghold, the garrisonmander felt his hand tremble while trying to connect through the nearby defensive stronghold of another beach.


    He was horrified and hoped for the other side to ept his call. And luckily for the garrisonmander, it did. The runicmunicator went through and he could call for reinforcements from the nearby defensive stronghold.


    But instead of hearing the words of his fellow garrisonmander, he heard the enchanting voice of ady. At this moment, he understood one fact.


    *Unfortunately for you, there will be no helping.*


    They were being invaded.

 Chapter 86: | 086 | War For Liberation Part 5: Minokin

    "This guy told everything without hesitation or dy."


    "I don''t know if I should be astonished or disappointed," Campbell muttered while standing over an unconscious ntation manager. There were bloodied parts of teeth scattered on the floor along with the face of the manager being battered beyond relief.


    "Well, he did try to hide the location of this ind''s main manor, the home of the ntation''s governor. It took some beating to get it out of him, but at least he tried to hide it." One of the Marines remarked while staring at the unconscious manager.


    "So, what did we discover, Sir?" Another Marine inquired as most of them were busy guarding the surrounding windows and doors of the third floor while Campbell and a nearby Marine did the interrogation.


    "Hmm¡­ The locations of their fortifications have been urately identified. The armories scattered throughout the ind have also been pinpointed in this map." First Lieutenant Campbell uttered and took out a map.


    This map was something the ntation manager owned and was given to the first lieutenant as thanks for the lovely interrogation.


    "The first thing we need to target are their armories. As long as we destroy their weapon depots, it wouldn''t be too difficult to handle their fortifications in Point A," Campbell uttered while pointing at the various armories on the map.


    "Some of the armories are far from our jurisdiction since they reside in the far east of the ind, so I''ll be sending our intelligence to Bravo and Special Task Forces." He calmly exined to his fireteam.


    "What about this ce, Sir?" One of the Marines pointed at a peculiar location on the map. It was none other than the location of Servusarator''s town.


    "You''re asking about the town and what we should do against them? Well, for now¡­ We don''t bother the town as things would be tooplicated if we do so." Campbell thought of it as a bad idea to even think of handling a town on their own.


    It was their military''s job to do that, not theirs. They were merely infiltrators and the only thing they needed to do was butter up the defenses of their adversaries so that their hot knife could easily prate without much of a problem.


    "Affirmative." The Marine nodded in understanding as he understood the troubles of handling a town. They weren''t ordered to fight in civilian areas, and their job was to only destroy militarized fortifications.


    It was up to the bulk of the Marine force to handle that kind of task.


    "At any rate-" Before the first lieutenant could continue, the second task force arrived before the front door of the office with rxed expressions.


    "Sir, the second floor has beenpletely neutralized. We have discovered quite a lot of things inside of its rooms." The second lieutenant of the second fireteam reported to Campbell without much of a reaction.


    "What did you discover?" First Lieutenant Campbell raised an eyebrow and wondered what kind of things the second fireteam had gotten from the second floor.


    "Well¡­ There''s a lot in there. Many of them are whips, others are runicmunicators, although it seems a bit crudepared to the one we got, and Lingua Gems. I have already designated them to be picked upter."


    "After all, runicmunicators and Lingua Gems are vital for our future operations." The second lieutenant calmly exined and noticed the map surrounded by Campbell''s fireteam.


    "So, what do we have here?" He inquired, wanting to know what they were nning to do with the map.


    "The ntation manager has confirmed the locations of various fortifications and armories to us. We have marked them and are about to target the locations in about 20 minutes." Campbell responded to the second lieutenant.


    "It seems we already got our destination, huh? What about Diego? Is the basement cleared?" The second lieutenant asked, wondering about the status of the first fireteam on the underground floor of the building.


    "Not yet, there''s a tough iron door impeding the intrusion of the first fireteam. Diego is having a difficult time opening it up." Campbell said while returning his attention to the map before him.


    "A locked door? I have ke-" The second lieutenant was about to suggest using the keys they had discovered to open tough doors. But before he could do so, a Marine reported vital information to the First Lieutenant.


    "Sir! The basement has been cleared. The first fireteam discovered no arms depot at the bottom. Instead, they found hundreds of hostages jailed across the underground floor."


    "The guards have been taken out, but opening each jail cell is proving to be troublesome." With the conclusion of the Marine''s report, Campbell slowly turned his gaze towards the second lieutenant.


    Obviously, he heard of the words that escaped the mouth of the second lieutenant.


    Meanwhile, in the underground basement of the building, Second Lieutenant Diego watched several figures standing behind thick iron bars. They stood higher than him with horns protruding from their heads.


    The figures were none other than the Minokin.


    Despite being hard to see under the cover of darkness, themp''s dim radiance provided enough brightness to perceive what they were.


    Even though Diego considered them as hostages of the ntation, theirrge bodies and overbearing appearance made it hard to consider them as ves of the puny and weak humans.


    ''Unfortunately, I don''t have the Lingua Gem. Otherwise, I would have already talked to them by now.'' Diego shook his head in disappointment and nced at his fellow Marine.


    "Have they been called?" He inquired, to which the Marine nodded and calmly answered. "I already called them. They should be here."


    Hearing the words of the Marine, Diego nodded and turned his attention back to the figures before him. They were different from the beastfolk refugees back in Crescere. They don''t seem or look weak. It made him wonder how the ntation managed to enve them.


    "Second Lieutenant Diego."


    Diego couldn''t continue to entertain himself with his thoughts as someone called out to him. He turned his gaze towards the voice and saw the first lieutenant. He straightened his back and saluted his superior.


    "Sir, we have cleared the basement." He reported without dy or hesitation. Information throughout the military would always need to be repeated. From superiors to subordinates, or subordinates to superiors.


    "Good, are they the hostages?" Campbell looked at the figures in the cells brimmed with thick iron bars.


    Short fur, erged muscles, protruding horns, and giant hooves. They resembled massive bipedal humanoid cows. Like the minotaurs of the former world. Mythical beasts of legends.


    Though, perhaps a bit smaller. The Minokin before him were merely between 3 meters to 4 meters in height. But they were tall nheless.


    Holding the Lingua Gem in his fingers, First Lieutenant Campbell decided to interact with the hostages. It would help them understand the United Navy and the differences between it and humanity.


    "I am First Lieutenant Campbell of the United Navy. We are here to liberate you from your oppressors." His words echoed throughout the cells of the underground basement.


    Only silence followed as though no one answered his call.


    However, Campbell couldn''t dwell on it as a rough voice sounded out from the cells.


    "A human liberating us? You''re a bad joker. Even tribe jesters could do better." It was deep and beast-like yet understandable as if the one uttering it was incredibly literate.


    "Fortunately for you, I am not aedian." Campbell furrowed his eyebrows gazing at the one that responded to him. It was a Minokin, farrger than most of its kind, standing over 4 meters.


    "So, you aren''t aedian, huh? Did humanity experience some sort of civil war? Are its colonies rebelling against its central authority?" The giant Minokin questioned as it stepped closer to the first lieutenant.


    Each of its steps was heavy, causing the floor to slightly tremble and crack upon contact.


    "Unfortunately, humanity isn''t in a civil war. The colonies aren''t rebelling against Europa." First Lieutenant Campbell didn''t make a single move and faced the giant Minokin head-on.


    "As I said before, we are the United Navy."


    "United Navy? I haven''t heard anything about that name. Where did youe from and what the hell are you doing here in the sea of Terra?" The giant Minokin didn''t stop questioning the first lieutenant.


    "The only thing you need to know about us is that we will liberate you from your oppressors." Campbell squinted his eyes as the giant Minokin was too inquisitive for his liking.


    "And why would you liberate us, oh liberators? Are you sure you don''t simply need ves to operate whatever you are cooking?" The giant Minokin brimmed with sarcasm, but its intelligence couldn''t be underestimated.


    "We don''t need ves. Otherwise, we wouldn''t liberate you and simply destroy your owners." First Lieutenant Campbell uttered as he didn''t want to continue conversing with the Minokin in front of him.


    "I see¡­ I guess that makes sense. But let me remind you that we don''t have anything to pay for your liberation other than our bodies. We have no grounds to negotiate, and our future will be tied to your decisions." The giant Minokin expressed with a deep tone.


    It stood in front of the first lieutenant and gazed at him with its bright amber irises. Its fur was ck with massive horns protruding from its head and sharp tusks from its nose.


    "You can think of your payment in the future. The United Navy only invests, so our profit will only be perceived in the far future. So, would you like to be liberated?" First Lieutenant Campbell remarked and opened the cell.


    "I''d like to be." The giant Minokin smirked and stepped out of the cell.

 Chapter 87: | 087 | War For Liberation Part 6: Cooperation

    "What are you nning to do with us now?" The giant Minokin questioned after epting the proposal for liberation from First Lieutenant Campbell. As he had epted the United Navy as their liberators, it was natural to inquire about their further ns.


    First Lieutenant Campbell furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the giant Minokin with a scrutinizing gaze before calmly responding to the Minokin''s inquiry.


    "Before that, what is your name?"


    Campbell wanted to know the name of the giant Minokin in front of him. The beastfolk was intelligent, literate, and pretty much cautious. It reminded him of the dragoness, though a lot weaker than her.


    The giant Minokin raised an eyebrow as he didn''t expect a human to ask for his name. A smile soon emerged from the corner of his bull-like face as he answered.


    "My name is Espada, the Warchief of the Minokin Tribe."


    "It''s good to meet you, First Lieutenant Campbell of the United Navy."


    Although the giant Minokin did introduce himself, the smirk stered on his face made It hard for anyone to consider it delightful.


    "Espada¡­ Quite a good name." Campbell wasn''t bothered by the smirk stered on the bull''s face. But it seems that the Minokin Tribe was a lot more troublesome than expected.


    "At any rate¡­ With the storm ongoing outside, this is the perfect time for you to try to set more of your tribesmen free. In other words, it''s time for you to rebel." First Lieutenant Campbell uttered while signaling his Marines to get out of the underground basement.


    "And what about you and your United Navy?" Espada was curious about what these humans were trying to do deep in enemy territory. From the looks of it, they were nning to cause trouble.


    How? He had no idea and that was why he inquired about it.


    "You''ll find outter. Instead, get your attention directed at liberating more of your tribesmen. We''ll handle the heavy work." Campbell said and stepped out of the underground basement.


    Espada could only watch the so-called liberators head upstairs to the ground floor. He couldn''t wipe the smile off his face. It has been a while since he felt such an exciting feeling.


    ''The Colonial Dominion of Terra is about to be rocked to its very core. Whether it''ll copse or not is an interesting question.'' He quietly thought to himself.


    On the other hand, First Lieutenant Campbell and the Alpha Vanguard Task Force walked out of the building, meeting the turbulent winds and violent heavy rainfall of the stormy night.


    Their intrusion into the building didn''t take a long time. The entire duration of their intrusion onlysted for about half an hour, and that included the interrogation of the ntation manager.


    "Sir, are you sure about leaving the manager there?" One of his men questioned as the ntation manager would have been a trove of intelligence.


    "I have already made my decision about it. We already got everything we needed from the manager. He''ll be the perfect gift to improve our rtions with the Minokin." Campbell calmly responded and nced in the direction they were heading.


    The words of the first lieutenant made sense. Besides, they weren''t nning on dragging the ntation manager with them, so he had to stay in that building regardless.


    Back to the building, the ntation manager was shackled to his desk. Both of his arms and feet were tied together, making him unable to move a muscle.


    He kept trying to free himself, but his actions were futile. The Marines made it incredibly hard for him to get freed. If he wishes to do so, he''d have to cut off his limbs.


    But before he could take his time, the door to his office opened and he saw a giant creature standing beside it. His eyes widened in shock as his body unconsciously trembled.


    "Hahahaha, you don''t look good. It seems that they took their time with you." Espada chuckled with amusement while holding a massive long sword with a single hand.


    "W-What are you doing here? Did they free you? How could they? A lower creature like you should be-" The ntation manager couldn''t continue speaking as he saw the destructive glint in the bull''s eye.


    "P-Please don''t kill me¡­" He tried backing away from the giant Minokin, but couldn''t move too far due to being shackled with the wooden desk.


    "They brought me a good gift, so I''ll be sure to enjoy it." The door to the office as the screams of the ntation manager echoed. The horrified cries resounded while the crunching of bones bellowed in the background.


    Returning to the Marines, First Lieutenant Campbell and his men tread in the turbulent ntations with stealth and silence. Even though it was dark, windy, and rainy on the outside, one can never be sure they couldn''t be seen by their adversaries.


    They continued their infiltration into their first armory, but as they did so. Campbell stopped for a second and stared at his Marine who was in charge of inter-task forcemunication.


    "Have you reported the intelligence we got to other task forces?" The first lieutenant quietly inquired. Themunication operator Marine nodded and responded to Campbell.


    "I already sent the intelligence to them, Sir. They should be analyzing it by now."


    "How about the Special Vanguard Task Force? Have you given them the location of the governor''s manor?" Campbell questioned since the mission of the Special Vanguard Task Force was incredibly important to achievingplete victory.


    "They have already given a response, Sir."


    "The Special Vanguard Task Force will be heading to the designated location of the manor." After themunication operator Marine responded, Campbell nodded in satisfaction and continued treading through the ntation.


    As long as the Special Vanguard Task Force became aware of the designated location, a part of their mission had already beenpleted. Now, they could focus on destroying what they were ordered to destroy by the highmands of the United Navy.


    ¨D¨D¨D¨D


    Meanwhile, in the tempestuous darkness of the central region of the ind, ady wearing a ck-suited uniform stood on the roof of a particr building. Heavy rain fell upon her body while the wind ravaged her surroundings.


    Strands of white hair ruffled along the winds while her golden irises shone with unrivaled radiance. She didn''t have weapons on her body as her hands were enough to behead her enemies.


    She was the dragoness of the United Navy, Lace.


    "This is the designated location of the manor sent by the Alpha Vanguard Task Force. It looks like they were right." She muttered with her supple lips while looking down at the luxurious garden of the manor before her.


    "The governor of this ntation should be here." She continued, but the edges of her lips slowly rose momentster. "I guess it''s time."


    As she uttered such words, several dark-suited soldiers emerged beside her. They were the Special Response Unit. A toon she trained herself, made of humans and beastfolk alike.


    Her training wasn''t to be underestimated as the current members of the Special Response Unit were the ones that managed to survive over 500 Marines and Soldiers of the United Navy. And there were only 12 of them in her toon.


    "Take care of the guards surrounding the manor. I''ll handle the Magus inside and the governor." Lace ordered before hopping off andnding atop a balcony.


    The luxurious door in front of her opened and the violent gust of wind ravaged the inside. Her soldiers followed with their rifles pointed at the door.


    "We will separate here. Be sure not to die." Lace uttered and opened the door without fear. She moved forward into the hallway while her soldiers divided themselves into two groups.


    One was handling the guards on the second floor while the second was clearing the ground floor of the manor. On the other hand, Lace was walking towards the office of the governor.


    Each of her steps echoed in the serene hallway. But as she walked through the marble floor, she raised an eyebrow and nced at a nearby pir of the hallway.


    "You should stop hiding. I can easily smell your scent." She calmly warned towards the white pir.


    A figure soon emerged from the pir and it was a cloaked one. Obviously, the recently-emerged figure was a Magus under themand of the ntation''s governor.


    "My, I didn''t expect an intruder to appear in the manor. Here I thought that the governor was merely being paranoid for his life."


    "I guess there''s a reason why he''s still alive till this moment." The Magus remarked while his grimoire materialized in front of him.


    "A Master Magus¡­ You lot should be on the frontier, dealing with the troubles there. Has it calmed down enough that a Master Magus has time to be in an inner colonial dominion?" Lace tilted her head and questioned.


    "I see¡­ I guess my intuition was right." The Master Magus sighed as orbs levitated beside him and circled around his body. It seems that he was getting all of his armaments out.


    Nheless, a Master Magus was a higher rank of Magus in the Magus Tower. They were amongst the best and could mostly be found in Europa or the Frontier of the Ferus Sea.


    So, a random Master Magus in the inner colonial dominion which should be peaceful in the records of Europa was somewhat surprising.


    The Master Magus squinted his eyes and casts several defensive spells one after another. Whether it''d be a shell, a barrier, an elemental defensive spell, a blunt absorption spell, and a pration-protection spell. He wasn''t holding back.


    After all¡­ His enemy was none other than the.


    "Dragoness Lace¡­"

 Chapter 88: | 088 | War For Liberation Part 7: The Dragon Versus The Magus

    In the middle of a lengthy hallway in a manor submerged by a turbulent storm, a dark-suited white-haireddy stood before a wrinkly-coated man. One was a dragon, and the other was a practitioner of magicraft.


    "I thought that the viceroy was overreacting when he spoke about your existence in his territory. It seems that I was wrong. You really are lodged in this sea."


    He squinted his eyes, observing every move of the dragoness in front of him. It was too dangerous to lower his guard as she might attack and kill him.


    This was a battle to the death, and he must treat it as such.


    "I have to warn others about you," The Master Magus continued and was about to send a transmission spell headed to the Frontier. But before he could do so, Lace instantly appeared beside him.


    "Sadly for you, I can''t let you know that. Calling more of your friends would surely annoy Abraham. He''ll cut some of my sry if that happens." She calmly uttered and threw an elbow to the Master Magus.


    *Pang!*


    A crack formed in the air as the barrier spell cast by the Master Magus almost broke from her sheer strength. The Master Magus stepped back as despite blocking the power of the dragoness, its momentum still forced him to withdraw.


    "As expected of the dragoness, even in your human form, your strength cannot be underestimated." The Master Magus remarked and swiftly cast another barrier spell.


    "Hmm¡­ You''re a lot stronger than I expected." Her punch would have blown a hole through a boulder. The fact that his spell didn''tpletely break was the epitome of his skill as a Master Magus.


    With this in mind, Lace knew that she shouldn''t underestimate and y with her prey. Instead, she must finish this as fast as possible andplete the task given to her by Abraham.


    "Firebolt!" The Master Magus cried out and a spell circle immediately materialized in front of him. Bolts of crimson lightning escaped the spell circle along with a circr ball of mes.


    *PPsshhhhT!*


    Without hesitation or dy, the Firebolt propelled itself into the air. Its arcs of crimson lightning destroyed the luxurious marble as its ball of mes gleamed in unparalleled radiance.


    Against such firepower, Lace''s defeat seemed inevitable.


    But¡­


    *Tang!*


    *BOOM!!!*


    Lace deflected the firebolt with her arm and it blew up beside her, causing the entire wall, roof, and floor to copse. While smoke shrouded her body, she waved her arm feeling a sting on her skin.


    However, she noticed something even more troublesome. The sleeves of the dark suit given to her were burned off from contact with the firebolt. It would be problematic if the United Navy wanted to make her pay for it.


    But the dragoness couldn''t continue entertaining her thoughts as the Master Magus threw another spell at her.


    "Firebomb!" The Master Magus threw a baseball-sizedpressed me at her without a tinge of hesitance. He was mad, not caring about what would happen to those hit by the spell.


    Seeing the spell heading towards her, Lace kicked it upward into the roof. It crashed into the roof and got outside of the manor before exploding like a 1-ton bomb.


    *BOOM!!!*


    If thatnded on the manor, it would have destroyed its entirety in a mere moment. This made the dragoness furrow her eyebrows as she nced at the quietly observing Master Magus.


    "Here I thought you Magus pride yourself on not speaking your spells." She remarked to the Master Magus, who merely chuckled at her words.


    "You''re correct, dragoness. It does sound stupid. But it helps." As he uttered such words, the Master Magus cast another spell on the dragoness.


    "Firebolt!" It was another firebolt, or so the dragoness thought.


    What escaped from the spell circle was none other than a prating spell.


    Magic missile.


    *Siiinnnngggg!*


    In an instant, the magic missile arrived in front of the dragoness. This was something she couldn''t dodge. Which meant that she had no choice but to take it head-on.


    *BAM!!!*


    Dust scattered as wind surged outward throughout the manor. sses from windows were broken as walls cracked from the pressure alone. The spell was deadly.


    Uttering the wrong name was the oldest trick in the book. It was to make the opponent expect something whether it''d be consciously or subconsciously.


    It was a useful trick against fighting adversaries. Especially to the non-Magus ones.


    "That should be a hit." The Master Magus muttered under his breath, looking at the dust-shrouded hallway. But as seconds passed by, he noticed something that made him furrow his eyebrows.


    The dragoness was still alive from his spell. Most Master Magus would have exploded into tiny bits when impacted by it, so the dragoness''s survival was within his expectations.


    Nheless, it was unfortunate that the dragoness didn''t immediately die from his spell. But she should be extremely injured by now. It shouldn''t take long before he gets hold of his victory.


    Unfortunately for the Master Magus, though. He underestimated the dragoness.


    As the dust shrouding the hallway settled, Lace stood in it without clear injuries. Although her clothing was wrecked beyond relief, her pale skin still maintained its beauty.


    "That''s a good strategy, Master Magus. But I have fought thousands of your kind since my inception. Such pitiful trickery does not work against me." Lace expressed coldly.


    The physique of a dragon was the greatest of what was biologically capable. It was the apex of nature itself, and the limit of what was natural.


    There was a reason why dragons in every myth stood above all other than the heavens.


    "I''ll kill you," Lace uttered with amanding tone.


    The Master Magus realized that his opponent was now on the offensive. If he wanted to survive against her, he must unleash every defensive spell he had in his personnel.


    He couldn''t continue his thoughts as Lace appeared beside him and gave him a kick. Once again, it was the barrier of the Master Magus that faced her kick.


    *Pang!*


    Sadly though¡­ The barrier spell couldn''t handle the power of her kick and break upon impact. Her foot continued to propel itself and hit another defensive spell.


    *Tang!*


    It broke in impact while several supportive defensive spells worked overtime to fight off the foot of the dragoness. It was then, that her foot met his strongest defensive spell.


    It covered an inch over his body, making sure that it was imprable against attacks. But, there was momentum. Even with blunt resistance, the vast force beyond the dragoness''s kick was exponential.


    *BANG!*


    The Master Magus flew backward and into the marble wall at the end of the hallway. A small and somewhat humanoid crater was made on the wall while dust shrouded it.


    "Your defensive spells are impressive. But far from enough." Lace muttered while coolly walking towards the crater she had made with the Master Magus as the projectile.


    Meanwhile, the Master Magus felt his heart beating in terror. Death was slowly creeping up to him. If he wants to survive, he must withdraw.


    "Ack!" He coughed blood from his mouth and realized that his bones were broken. They were practically in pieces at the moment. Each second to him was akin to thousands of bees stinging his body.


    It was a painful experience.


    ''I need to get out of here.'' He quietly thought to himself while quietly activating a spatial transmission spell. Anywhere other than this ce was enough, so he didn''t specify a coordinate to increase his casting speed.


    However, it was saddening for the Master Magus. The dragoness was already in front of him with her pale hand slowly reaching out to his neck.


    When he noticed her hand heading to his neck. He felt intense fear taking over his heart. He was going to die, and he didn''t want to.


    No matter how much he wanted to scream or beg for mercy. He simply couldn''t. His body was broken beyond relief from the attack of the dragoness.


    Although his barrier made sure that none of her attacks got through. The power and force behind it was too much for his barrier to handle, throwing him to the wall with incredible force.


    ''My mana isn''t working well. My mind is far from calm.'' The Master Magus wanted to curse out, but sadly couldn''t. He could only watch with his barely conscious self as Lace''s warm fingers touched his neck.


    It was then, his perception cked out.


    He died.


    Lace squished the neck of the Master Magus with her fingers and made sure to break his neck. Blood spurted outward, some droplets sttered itself to her pale and gorgeous face. Though the dragoness didn''t seem bothered by it.


    It took some time, but she utterly crushed the bones of the Master Magus.


    With this, he shouldn''t be able to resurrect himself with whatever strange spell he had in his arsenal. After all, there was nothing impossible when a Magus was included in the equation.


    So, making sure that it would be impossible for them to resurrect was paramount.


    "I guess this should be enough." Lace softly mumbled to herself while summoning an electrostatic to her fingers, causing the body of the Master Magus to be fried as high current passed through his veins.


    The scent of cooked meat slowly enveloped the air as the Master Magus slowly became a ck-limped corpse.


    "Lady Lace, we have captured the entirety of the manor and terminated everyone except for the Governor." Out of nowhere, a soldier saluted and reported the status of the mission to Lace.


    "Good work¡­ I just finished here, please find me a clean towel." Lace smiled at the soldier while throwing the ck and fried corpse onto the floor.

 Chapter 89: | 089 | War For Liberation Part 8: Colonial Governor

    *BANG!*


    In the hall of the luxurious manor, lightning shed through itsvish windows. In the middle was the ntation governor tied on a chair with several dark-suited soldiers surrounding him. It was then he remembered the terrifying circumstances he found himself in.


    It all happened too fast.


    Out of nowhere, while he was going through the reports and the export of their ntation, a group of unknown individuals entered his office.


    His guards were immediately killed in mere seconds and couldn''t react to the intrusion of these individuals, or dark-suited soldiers.


    When all of his guards died. They didn''t hesitate to pummel his face to his desk, knocking him out.


    It was then he found himself in this situation.


    *Argh!*


    The ntation governor felt his bloodied mouth and nose aching in pain. For an aristocrat like him, it was the first to be beaten in the face. And it didn''t feel good for the man.


    After calming himself down, the governor observed his surroundings and noticed the corpses of his guards littered everywhere in the hall.


    He felt his stomach churning and wanted to puke. But none would escape his mouth as he could only cough in disgust.


    "W-What did you do? Why have you attacked us." The ntation governor questioned the dark-suited soldiers. Sadly for him, none of them gave him their attention.


    They kept their silence, acting as though they hadn''t heard his words.


    "You have attacked an aristocrat of the Albion Empire. You will pay for this. If you don''t free me at this moment, I''ll be willing to lower your punishment!" He cried out, but like before. None of the soldiers paid him any heed.


    He felt madness and anger seeping into his mind. He wanted to tear these bastards apart and make them pay for what they had done to a distinguished man like him.


    "I have a Magus in mymand. The moment he finds out-" Before the ntation governor could continue, he could hear someone lightly taking the staircase.


    Each step echoed throughout the hall, and soon, he saw her. A gorgeous white-haireddy with unrivaled beauty. None of the nobledies back in his homnd could rival her.


    However, even though she seemed to appear like the goddess of beauty, the governor felt a horrifying feeling inside his heart. It was as though a demon had descended before him.


    "Oh, what would happen if he finds out?" The gorgeous white-haireddy questioned with a graceful smile.


    The governor wanted to respond with unimpeded loyalty. But when he noticed the tail and horns on thedy''s body. He finally realized who she was and felt the entire being of his body tremble.


    "D-Dragoness¡­"


    "Ho-How are you here? What has this colony done to you? Why have you set your sights on this random ind." The ntation governor couldn''t understand.


    Servusarator was an unimportant colony even with the ves working inside of it. There were more problematic colonies with thousands more ves than his ntation colony.


    Why here?


    "Hmm¡­ I guess there''s no reason other than your colony being nearer to us." Lace replied with a sly smile as she continued descending from the opulent marble staircase.


    ''Us?'' The ntation governor noticed a word within the dragoness''s response that made everything worse. After all, it made him realize that they were being invaded.


    But why exactly? Nearer? That wasn''t a good reason to waste resources trying to conquer a ntation colony. Unless¡­


    ''They want the arablend.'' Although somewhat lower in importancepared to other colonies in the sea region of Terra, the ntation colony still produced almost a third of the food export of the colonial dominion.


    The effects in the colonial dominion when the ntation colony gets conquered would be devastating. Although it wouldn''t affect the military power of the colonial dominion, it would cause civil unrest across all colonies in the sea region.


    "I see¡­ You are invading this colony. But you won''t be able to do it without paying a price. The Principatus Humanum Fleet will take a visit the moment it learns of Servusarator''s fall."


    "You wouldn''t be able to survive theirplete firepower." The ntation governor expressed to the dragoness with an ironic smile.


    Lace reached the hall of the manor and kept a soothing smile on her face.


    The Fleet of Principatus Humanum was among the fleets she had almost destroyed in the Frontier.


    Expansionary Fleets of humanity that she had destroyed could be counted on more than two fingers.The blood in her hands, whether it be from the Magus, War Masters, Wyvern Riders, or Captains of various fleets, was thick.


    She had in thousands of them with her ws and could y thousands more. She was the dragoness of the Frontier, one of the four primal beast deities of the Revolting Tide.


    Now, however¡­ Things were different.


    She wasn''t part of the Revolting Tide anymore. Instead, she had be a member of the United Navy. One of the lieutenants under the authority of the Fleet Admiral.


    Bing a grunt was something Lace never thought she would be. But it was the greatest choice she had ever made. She simply needed to follow orders. Nothing more, nothing less.


    At any rate, the dragoness had never felt as rxed until she met Abraham. He presented a path to her, a great one. Naturally, she would be thankful for it.


    He had also given her another goal.


    Protecting the freedom of all sapient life. A goal greater than everything she had thought of.


    It must be aplished, no matter what.


    "Your fleets were nothing more than prey to me in the Frontier. The moment I see them, I would have destroyed them without hesitation." Lace muttered to the ntation governor and walked closer to him.


    "But things are different now. I''m not fighting for revenge, hatred, and anger. I''ll still destroy you, of course, but for different reasons." She maintained her graceful smile and continued.


    "Your fleets¡­ I will sink them. Not because they are a part of the Colonial Dominion or humanity. But because they stand in the way of the United Navy and its goals." She reached her hand out to the governor''s neck.


    The governor felt his spine shiver in terror. His muscles tensed as he watched the pale hand reaching out to his neck. He knew he would die the moment it touched him, so he felt horrified.


    "However¡­ You still have your uses as the governor of this colony. You''re not dying until you fulfill it." Lace tilted her head and smiled at the governor.


    The governor felt his heart sink into his chest. It was as though he had escaped an execution. He was sure that he would have died at that moment. But it appears that fate had something else in store for him.


    No, they had something else in store for him.


    He watched as the white-haired dragoness walked past him and headed towards where one of the dark-suited soldiers stood.


    "Is the manor and its surroundings clear?" Lace calmly inquired.


    The one in front of her was the second inmand of the Special Response Unit. Practically, Lace''s second hand.


    "Lady Lace, the manor has been cleared inside and out. The surrounding 500 meters should have no one alive other than us." The dark-suited soldier uttered with a soft but calm voice.


    She was one of the beastfolks refugees that the dragoness had trained. A beastfolk from the Lycanthrope Tribe. Wolf Beastfolks that could transform themselves into humans.


    With her abilities as a Lycan, and her incredible intellect. It didn''t take long before shended the spot as the second inmand of the Special Response Unit.


    "I see¡­ Thank you for your hard work, Mercedes." Lace nodded in satisfaction as she had already confirmed the situation with her own senses. It was good that her subordinates could efficiently assess the situation by themselves without mistakes.


    "Have you sent information about the capture of the ntation governor?" She asked as the sess of the mission needed to be ryed to other task forces.


    "I have also sent the confirmation to our task forces, Lady Lace. Alpha Vanguard Task Force has epted the transmission and responded. They have already raided an armory and the Minokins are now starting a rebellion." Mercedes calmly reported to the dragoness.


    "What about the Bravo Task Force?" Lace questioned, wondering what the other task force was doing in the eastern part of the ind.


    "Well, Point B has beenpletely cleared by the Bravo Vanguard Task Force. They are moving inward to eliminate eastern armories, barracks, and free more Minokins." Mercedes softly responded to the dragoness''s question.


    Lace nodded in understanding and realized that the rebellion was now in full swing. The final target would be Point A. The designatednding location of the liberation force.


    But it would be heavily defended, like the town of Servusarator.


    "Hmm¡­ Have you heard about what should be done with the town?" She inquired to her second inmand.


    Mercedes nced at her boss before replying.


    "Thending force will be handling the town. The highmand simply wants us to butter up the defenses of the ind."


    "Oh? Does that mean I can destroy things without holding back?" Lace felt excitement seeping into her heart. The thought of destroying an ind gave nostalgia to her mind.


    "No, the Fleet Admiral has forbidden you from doing more than what was ordered. The infrastructure of the ind must be maintained as the United Navy will be upying it." Mercedes shot down the idea of the dragoness without any mercy.


    "B-But¡­" Lace looked at her second inmand with a pleading expression.


    However, it didn''t work.


    "No."

 Chapter 90: | 090 | War For Liberation Part 9: History Long Gone

    In the port of Servusarator was a battleship part of the expansionary fleet of Principatus Humanum. The warship was sent to guard the waters of the ntation colony and protect it from enemy forces.


    *BANG!*


    Thunder cracked and shed throughout the stormy dark skies. The winds surged in and out, bringing about echoing creaks from welded wood. The tides were rough and vtile as waves desired to consume those who dared to sail its seas.


    Deep inside the battleship were the captain''s quarters where the war master and captain of the warship sat before each other with sake between their fingers. They were drinking as the storm ravaged their surroundings.


    "I can''t believe that they sent us alone to this ntation colony." The war masterined while cing his luxurious cup on the desk.


    "We weren''t meant to be alone. It''s just that, the storm is halting the fleet from teleporting into the nearby waters of the port. I''m sure you already know yourself how much of a bad idea it is to use a spatial transmission spell in the middle of a storm."


    The captain expressed to the war master and took a sip from his cup. Despite wanting to waste away his mind and enjoy the moment, the news about the uing war didn''t make him feel good.


    "I know, I know¡­ No one wants to get their ship identally split in half." The war master sighed as he understood that he was trying to ask for the impossible.


    "What do you think about the uing war?" The captain opened up the subject regarding the uing war. The war master raised his eyebrow since he''d rather not talk about it.


    But since the captain seems interested. He''ll have to entertain the guy. Besides, he was also a bit interested in the news.


    "The Fleet Commander got paralyzed by the dragoness, right? Not even a recovery spell could help him. He''s practically lying in the bed with War Master Theodore transmitting orders through magicraft."


    "In all honesty, the uing war is a piece of bad news. We just returned from the Frontier and should be in Europa by now. Wasting our time in this sea region doesn''t feel good no matter how much you think about it."


    The war master wasn''t in agreement when they had decided to anchor themselves in the sea region of Terra. Their job had concluded in the Frontier. What the hell were they staying in this sea for?


    "I understand your statement. I''m sure many thought the same. But have you remembered why we were returning to Europa?" The captain questioned and drank his sake.


    The war master raised an eyebrow as he understood what the captain meant. Although he was new as a war master and was far from a veteran, he wasn''t ignorant of history.


    "You mean the time when almost the entirety of the fleet was sunk by the dragoness?" The war master uttered and the captain nodded before giving his response.


    "You were right about most of the ship getting sunk. But have you ever wondered how much of the fleet sunk?" The captain whispered and took another sip of sake.


    Through the words of the captain, the war master became curious about the real story of what had happened. The only thing he knew was the great sinking of Principatus Humanum. Almost all battleships were sunk and over 50% of the crew drowned.


    "Well, you look curious."


    "The Fleet of Principatus Humanum was unstoppable in the Frontier with hundreds of battleships in its banner. Even beastfolk kingdoms would have to ally themselves with one another to contend with the fleet."


    "But it all changed on the destined day."


    "The Dragon of the Revolting Tide attacked the ind where the Principatus Humanum was anchored. The seas burned, the storms ravaged, and the ind crumbled."


    While exining to the war master, the captain remembered the time when one of the survivors told him about what actually happened. He was shocked, and couldn''t believe it. But after searching through the Frontier for answers, it was the truth.


    "The Dragon massacred everyone and everything. Its roar resounded with the lightning as thousands of Magus tried to fight back against the sinking ind. But its scales were too think for their spells to prate"


    "The war masters tried using spatial transmission despite being amidst a turbulent storm. This resulted in their battleships being distorted into damnation, causing everyone in it to die."


    "During that time, Captain Stolz and War Master Theodore were young. They were like you and me, just the usual personnel of the navy. The capital ship, Evesting Sun, was but an undecorated battleship. It didn''t even have the name Evesting Sun in its hull."


    "Do you know the reason why they were promoted to be the Fleet Commander and the leading War Master of Principatus Humanum respectively? It isn''t because they vanquished the Dragon of the Revolting Tide, no."


    "It was the opposite."


    "They survived the disaster, sailing on a broken battleship with 25 remaining crews of the Fleet Principatus Humanum. And so, they were promoted to the echelons of the fleet. After all, no one was left other than them."


    "The Great Sinking of the Principatus Humanum was what it was called. Many of the facts were distorted, and the numbers of those that survived were exponentially increased."


    "But have you not realized that only the Fleet Commander and his War Master have a history with the Dragon? There''s no veteran left in the fleet. Even the oldest ones other than the two were transferred into the fleet after the disaster."


    "One of the survivors of the disaster told me this story. I thought I wouldn''t speak of it or even think of it ever again. But with how things are going."


    "I just can''t stop it from getting brought up inside my mind!" The captain clenched his fist in annoyance. He wanted to throw his cup away but stopped himself from doing so.


    The war master felt astounded by what the captain had told him. To think that the Principatus Humanum got into a tragedy that destroyed all of its battleships except one. And the fact that they will be fighting against the perpetrator.


    "Is that why you are nervous?" The war master questioned and the captain simply looked at him for a second, not answering his question.


    It''s not like he didn''t understand why the captain was nervous. After all, if everything from what he had told was entirely true. They would be creeping to their graveyard the more they yed with the dragoness.


    "It seems that we are unfortunate." The war master stopped drinking his sake and sighed. Retirement was in sight, and death was along with it.


    "Do you want to desert?" He asked the captain, who shook his head. Desertion was out of the question. The moment it was discovered they deserted. They would be hunted down throughout the world as criminals of the state.


    "We have no choice, but to fight. Even against the destroyer itself." The captain muttered and drank hisst cup of sake. The door to his quarters swiftly opened as his first mate ran towards his desk with anxiousness.


    "Captain! There''s a report!"


    The captain furrowed his eyebrows after hearing what the first mate had said. The anxiousness of his first mate portrayed the seriousness of the situation.


    "What happened?" The war master inquired while sobering himself from the sake. A troublesome situation had sprung up, and they needed to handle it.


    The first mate calmed himself down before answering the two in front of him.


    "Captain, the ves have rebelled." He reported to the captain, who was somewhat confused. What does a ve rebellion have to do with them? Shouldn''t the local garrison be able to handle it?


    "The garrison of this colony can handle the rebellion." The war master uttered and felt as though his time was wasted by useless anxiousness.


    "It''s not that simple, War Master. Various armories have been blown up. The fortifications on the eastern side of the ind are not responding to any of our transmissions. And most of all, we lost contact with the governor''s manor."


    The first mate exined and the two finally realized the gravity of the situation. This was a revolution, something that the local garrison wouldn''t be able to handle.


    Not only that, a revolution can only emerge with the aid of outsiders.


    "What part of the garrison can we contact?" The captain questioned the first mate, who swiftly answered. "The western fortification and the town of Servusarator, Captain."


    Half of the ind had already fallen, and they didn''t have contact with the governor. They would have to consolidate power and make sure that the colony doesn''t fall to the ves.


    "Tsk!" The war master clicked his tongue, and the captain immediately noticed. He wondered why the war master seemed annoyed while holding a runicmunicator.


    The war master noticed his curiosity and remarked.


    "I lostmunication with the Master Magus in the manor. That only means one thing." The war master furrowed his eyebrows and gritted his teeth. After all, why does it have to be them?


    "We are being invaded by the United Navy. They are nning to liberate the ntation colony of Servusarator." With the war master''s confirmation, the captain and first mate realized that all hell had been let loose.


    "Wait, wouldn''t that mean¡­" As the captain thought of the United Navy, he realized something even more crucial in the subject.


    "Yes, you''re right. She''s here. The Dragon of the Revolting Tide is participating in the liberation." The war master felt his spine unconsciously shiver from the things that could happen to him in the near future.


    Death was creeping in.

 Chapter 91: | 091 | War For Liberation Part 10: Strategic Strike

    Amidst the weakening storm, the Port of Dawn was brimming with activities from the naval personnel scattered throughout several docks. In such docks were various warships of the United Navy anchored, preparing for the uing liberation of a colony.


    Deep inside themand center of the Port of Dawn, Abraham stood in the strategicmand room along with various intelligence officers and radio operators.


    A couple of hours had passed since the beginning of Operation Phantom Liberation. Since then, the United Navy has been hearing iing reports about the operation.


    "40% of the ind is under the control of the rebels?" Abraham raised an eyebrow as he didn''t expect the operation to be extremely swift. At the very least, he thought that there would be some resistance.


    But from the looks of it, the rebels and the infiltrators were steamrolling the local military of the colony.


    "Under the guidance of our task forces. The rebels managed to free more of their people and many of the armories scattered throughout the ind''s interior were destroyed. The fortifications of the west have also fallen, and the governor''s manor has been captured."


    The intelligence officer calmly reported to the fleet admiral.


    Understanding the words of the intelligence officer, Abraham was somewhat surprised. It seems that he had underestimated the abilities of his subordinates and overestimated his enemies.


    But going through the report, he noticed the governor''s manor being captured. The first operation of the Special Vanguard Task Force was also a sess. The only thing he hoped was that Lace would follow through with the n.


    At any rate, Operation Phantom Liberation was in full swing. It was about to reach itsst phase, and the United Navy must be there to enact it.


    With this in mind, Abraham nced at Vice Admiral Charlotte who was managing the preparation of the warships.


    "Charlotte, when will the preparation bepleted?" He calmly inquired about the vice admiral. Charlotte raised his eyebrows and looked at him before responding.


    "We need half an hour to set sail. Besides, the storm must further weaken before the fleet heads toward the ntation colony." Charlotte uttered and continued with her job.


    The storm was not only problematic for the battleships of Principatus Humanum. It was also troublesome for the warships of the United Navy. While they could sail through the stormy seas, it would cause maintainable problems for the utility personnel.


    Many ships would probably spend their time in the docks after, getting repaired from whatever effects the storm brought to them.


    "I see¡­ Can we assist the task forces from here?" Abraham wanted to know whether or not they could help their forces deep inside enemy lines.


    Vice Admiral Charlotte stopped what she was doing and stared at the fleet admiral for a second. She then nodded to herself and answered his question.


    "Yes, we can assist the task forces in the ntation colony. We can send strategic strikes to their location, but only when the designated target is fully confirmed."


    She wasn''t against assisting their forces. But each strategic strike must be done with care. Otherwise, unneeded casualties would emerge. Coteral damage was the bane of everywhere.


    After all, the only thing it did was fuel hate and make the war bloodier than ever before.


    "I am in agreement with that." Abraham agreed with the words of the vice admiral. They simply couldn''t send out strategic sights to designated targets without various confirmations.


    They must lessen the casualties of the war and make sure no civilians would get hurt.


    But he understood that such a thing was somethingplicated to do. And he had no idea how to effectively do it. What''s more troublesome was that they would be besieging the town of Servusarator the moment they made theirnding.


    And who knows whether the colonists inside the town would peacefully surrender or fight to the death. The answer would only emerge once the siege begins.


    Until then, he could only uselessly specte inside his mind.


    "Send a transmission to the task forces. Tell them that we can send out strategic strikes during the operation. But only through these specified requirements. I don''t want to shoot a missile at some random building because of suspected military upation."


    Abraham uttered to his intelligence officers, who nodded and ryed his orders to the radio operators. It shouldn''t take long before the task forces in the field be aware of their capabilities to send out a strategic sight.


    "Well, the Alpha Vanguard Task Force and Bravo Vanguard Task Force might need it. Though¡­ I can''t say the same for the Special Vanguard Task Force." Abraham muttered under his breath.


    With Lace leading the special task force, it was akin to having a mobile fortress walking beside them. There should be no problems with their operations.


    Meanwhile¡­


    In the interior of the ntation colony, Servusarator. The Alpha Vanguard Task Force led by First Lieutenant Campbell was observing an enemy barracks brimming with soldiers.


    They were approximately two kilometers from the target and were thinking about whether they should attack the barracks or avoid it.


    "There should be over three hundred soldiers in the barracks, Sir." One of the Marines reported with a binocr in his hands.


    Beside him was none other than First Lieutenant Campbell, the leader of the Alpha Vanguard Task Force.


    He raised his eyebrows after hearing the words of his subordinate. It seems that the numbers manning the barracks were too much than what they could handle.


    Even with the help of the Minokins, it would be bloodshed if they dared to raid the barracks.


    "It''s heavily defended with various guard posts throughout the area. Infiltration will be impossible as they are on high alert. They must have realized the current circumstances of the ntation colony." Campbell muttered under his breath and continued.


    "Our enemies are prepared and our only advantage has been lost. With the capture of the governor''s manor and the loss of the eastern side of the ind, they must fortify themselves for what is toe." What the first lieutenant meant was somewhat obvious.


    Trying to raid the barracks was foolish. They would have to halt their advancement and instead focus on the destruction of the Point A fortifications.


    "Are you having trouble, Sir Campbell?" A rough voice escaped the darkness as a giant Minokin emerged from it. It was Espada, the Warchief of the Minokin Tribe.


    He had been assisting the task force in destroying armories and liberating more of his kind. He thought that it wouldn''t take long before they reached the shore, but it seemed that a problem had emerged.


    "The barracks before us is heavily fortified. We will be changing our targets." First Lieutenant Campbell didn''t hesitate to inform the Minokin. Espada has already proved himself to the task force as a valuable asset.


    His knowledge, fighting capabilities, and capabilities as a strategist weren''t to be underestimated.


    "Even if the barracks are heavily defended, we need to defeat them as they hold most of the weapons other than the town of Servusarator and the western fortification line."


    "If we don''t take down the barracks, then destroying the armories would be of no use."


    While Espada understood that the liberators didn''t want to take a risk, it was something they needed to take for victory. If they don''t, the battle would be harder and victory would be unattainable.


    Hearing the words of the giant Minokin, Campbell was in silence as he understood that it was the truth. The stored armaments of the barracks were enough to rival all of the armories they had destroyed.


    In simpler terms, its destruction was vital.


    Nheless, Campbell didn''t want to take unnecessary casualties. Besides, the barracks weren''t on their list of targets. The Spear of Longinus should be able to handle itter on.


    However, before he could give a response to Espada, a Marine came up with an important report.


    "Sir, themand center has sent a transmission." The Marine reported with a serious tone. The first lieutenant raised his eyebrows, wondering what the highmand wanted.


    On the other hand, Espada felt curious as he wanted to know what thismand center was. Perhaps, this must be the ce where the leaders of the United Navy were staying.


    "What''s the transmission?" Campbell questioned, and the Marine swiftly responded.


    "Strategic Sierra has been opened by the Fleet Admiral. If we desire to do so, we must confirm the coordinates of the designated tango and send detailed status about it."


    When he heard the words of his men. Campbell was somewhat astounded. To think that their Fleet Admiral would open for a strategic strike, but this was a piece of good news.


    There was finally a way to defeat the barracks before them.


    "Affirmative, contact themand center. Transmit them the coordinates and their detailed status. An incendiary missile should be enough for the target." Campbell ordered his subordinate, who nodded in understanding.


    The Marine immediately contacted themand center and sent the exact coordinates of the designated tango. Afterward, the detailed status was sent. It shouldn''t take long before a replyes.


    And it did.


    Five secondster, the designated tango was confirmed.


    "Sir, Strategic Sierra has been confirmed!" The Marine reported to the first lieutenant. Campbell felt ted inside his heart, while the giant Minokin felt confused as to what they were talking about.


    "Sir Campbell, what is this Strategic Sierra all about?" Espada questioned with his rough voice.


    Campbell didn''t answer and simply pointed at the barracks.


    Dozens of seconds passed, and a shooting star appeared out of nowhere. It flew at incredible speeds andnded directly at the barracks.


    What followed was the sunrise.

 Chapter 92: | 092 | War For Liberation Part 11: Destruction

    In the interior of the ntation colony, Servusarator. Amidst the weakening storm of the fading night, a crimson radiance gleamed over thend. Turbulent mes shrouded the ck ins with a fiery light threatening to consume all.


    It was a horrifying sight to see, akin to a scene from hell itself.


    Within the all-devouring fire, rubbles of a building stood with wreckage and ashes surrounding it. It was none other than the central barracks of Servusarator.


    It was the final line of defense separating the central and the western sides of the ind. With its devastation, the rebellion was free to expand its tendrils to the west.


    "So that is the Sierra Strike¡­ Horrifying." Espada mumbled under his breath while gazing upon the destruction brought about by the United Navy.


    In a mere instant, a formidable fortress became a crimson hell.


    It was the first for Espada to see such power firsthand. Even though he had heard rumors about god-like humans, it was different to see a heaven-defying power personally.


    For some reason, it gave him a sense of dread. Despair, hopelessness, and fear.


    Fortunately for the beastfolk, though¡­ At the very least, these humans from the United Navy were on their side. Not against them. Otherwise, no matter how much Minokins they fill into the rebellion. It would be instantly destroyed in one single moment.


    "Now that we have taken care of the barracks. We should be free to head towards the western fortification in Point A." First Lieutenant Campbell stopped observing the inferno stranded in the night and wanted to continue their mission.


    "How many clicks do we have to go through before reaching our target?" Campbell questioned his subordinates as they had a time limit until the arrival of the Spear of Longinus.


    "There should be 70 clicks in the distance, Sir. Point A is in the far reach of the western side. It should take a couple of hours until we reach the designated target." The Marine exined to the first lieutenant, who nodded in understanding.


    "Alright, let''s go and not waste time. We don''t want thending to be unknowingly dyed." First Lieutenant Campbell slowly walked out of their position, headed towards the far west.


    The Marines followed their first lieutenant, while Espada only nced at them. His sight never left the fiery inferno as he wanted to ingrain such power inside his mind.


    After taking his time, Espada finally turned his attention to the leaving Marines and followed. There was still a liberation that needed to be done.


    As the group walked through the ins and near the devastation, they could feel the warmth of the inferno not so far from them.


    Espada watched the mes with interest, trying to find something from them. But it was at this moment, he realized something crucial. The giant Minokin noticed that no bodies of the guards could be seen. There was nothing other than fire.


    There were no armors to honor, corpses to respect, and any remains that could be cried upon. It was tragic, but the giant Minokin wasn''t affected by it.


    He would have done the same if he had the power to do so.


    The group walked past the devastated barracks and continued on their journey westward.


    While walking along the ntation, the giant Minokin noticed a lone wooden carriage. Espada looked at it for a second before an idea emerged inside his mind.


    "Sir Campbell, do you desire transportation?" Espada inquired of the first lieutenant who was leading the Alpha Vanguard Task Force.


    Campbell stopped walking and looked back at the giant Minokin with a raised eyebrow. He wondered what Espada was trying to say or do.


    He then noticed the giant Minokin looking in a certain direction. The first lieutenant followed Espada''s eyes and saw a lone wooden carriage. It was then he realized what the giant Minokin meant.


    "Are you sure you wish to do so?" Campbell questioned since the capabilities of the Minokin to easily drag carriages and plows were the primary reasons for their envement.


    It would be strange for the Alpha Vanguard Task Force to demand such actions from recently liberated ves.


    Fortunately for the task force, though. Espada was a rational Minokin who was willing to set grievances aside to do the job. Regardless of his personal thoughts about being used as transportation or a tool, there was something that he needed to do and that was to liberate.


    The faster the Alpha Vanguard Task Force reached the west. The better their chances of victory and liberation would be. It was simple logic.


    "If I have to for the sake of liberation. I shall do so. This isn''t the time to let feelings take over one''s decisions." Espada responded to the first lieutenant with his rough voice.


    Hearing the determined words of the giant Minokin, First Lieutenant Campbell had no choice but to ept the offer. He nced at his men and ordered them to head to the wooden carriage.


    "Get in that wooden carriage. Our ally, Espada, will be helping us with transport."


    Following his orders, the Marines swiftly got into the wooden carriage as Espada walked in front of it. He saw the ropes tied to the wooden carriage and couldn''t help but chuckle to himself.


    To think that he would be offering humans to get transported by him. A lot has changed in the darkness of the night. Whether it was good or not remains to be seen.


    ''I can''t believe this.'' He quietly thought to himself, though a smile slightly emerged from his thick lips.


    With all of the Marines inside the wooden carriage, the giant Minokin began pulling it and rushing onward. The wooden carriage shook as the Marines held on tightly to its railings.


    In mere seconds, they began moving at over 70 kilometers per hour. It was pretty fast whenpared to the usual carriages.


    Through the speed they had, it shouldn''t take long before they reach their destination.


    Meanwhile¡­


    In the governor''s manor somewhere in the interior of the ntation. Mercedes walked towards Lace who was lounging on one of the pirs in the hall. She turned her head upward and saluted the dragoness before reporting the news from outside.


    "The Bravo Vanguard Task Force has almost liberated the eastern side of the ind. On the other hand, the Alpha Vanguard Task Force is nearing the western fortification."


    Mercedes softly uttered while the dragoness maintained her uncaring expression. Though she remained aloof on the outside, the dragoness had thoughts on the inside.


    ''It looks like Operation Phantom Liberation is nearing itspletion. News from the Port of Dawn has alsoe up. The Spear of Longinus has set sail, and it shouldn''t take long before they arrive near the shores of the ind.''


    To think that an entire ind could be conquered in less than a day. If it was through the Revolting Tide, this ntation would cost them over a week and thousands of lives.


    ''I wasn''t wrong in joining them.'' Lace thought to herself as the edges of her lips slightly rose. But before she could enjoy her time atop the pir, her eyebrows rose as she noticed something.


    Mercedes''s wolf ears also straightened and pointed toward a particr direction. She looked at the dragoness''s cold eyes and realized what was toe.


    "Enemies have sent their reinforcements, Lady Lace. There should be about two hundred of them heading towards the manor. Do you want us to handle it?" Mercedes inquired, wanting to know the dragoness''s answers.


    Lace thought about it for a short while before shaking her head. It would be a waste of time and annoyance if she decided to let her subordinates handle the reinforcing army from the outside.


    "I''ll handle it, Mercedes," Lace uttered with a soft yetmanding tone. She slowly stood up from the massive marble pir and stretched her limbs.


    "It seems that they don''t understand who they are fighting against. Their formation is tight, a perfect target for a st" She remarked while her golden irises glowed with dimmed radiance.


    After stretching her body, the dragoness disappeared from the spot, leaving the hall behind.


    Mercedes could only watch and sigh at the disy of power. Even though she believed that herdy was a beastfolk like her. The difference between a beastfolk and a deity was still significant.


    "Lady Lace should be able to handle it." The second inmand muttered silently while gazing through the windows where a massacre would soon emerge.


    Outside of the manor, Lace stood on the rooftop with her gaze pointing at the approaching reinforcing army. It seems that they came from the town and were trying to take back the manor from what they presume as rebels.


    With the amount of soldiers they had, any rebellion would have been crushed beneath their feet. Unfortunately for them, though. The United Navy was involved, along with herself.


    "Let''s start using my newly-gained blessings." Lace grinned as electrostatics escaped the confines of her body. They surged outside like a wave, causing lightning to crack in the heavens.


    *BANG!*


    The entirety of the manor and its surroundings shed. Its radiance unveiled the iing army of reinforcements heading towards her direction.


    She looked at them with a cold expression and ordered the heavens above.


    "Strike them down! Don''t leave anything or anyone behind!"


    Her words roared throughout the night skies, causing dozens of lightning bolts to crackle in an instant.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    The thunder shrouded the entirety of the night skies, setting the night aze with unrivaled brilliance.


    The soldiers of the reinforcing army could only look up as hundreds of lightning bolts descended from the dark heavens.

 Chapter 93: | 093 | War For Liberation Part 12: Rebellion

    In the port of the town, Servusarator. The expansionary battleship of the Fleet Principatus Humanum was docked with various men going in and out of the ship. A tense atmosphere was in the air as the golden sun slowly rose from the lines of the boundless horizon.


    Approximately, several hours ago. Unknown adversaries infiltrated the ntation colony of Servusarator. They liberated several ntations and destroyed various armories in the east.


    The governor''s manor has also been captured, causing chaos in themand chain of the ind. At the moment, the captain of the expansionary battleship was takingmand over the garrisons of the town, Servusarator.


    "Sir, grave news has been received from the reinforcing army." One of the guards reported to the captain, who raised an eyebrow in confusion. He wondered what the guard meant about the reinforcing army.


    He had never heard of such a thing.


    "What do you mean by reinforcing army? When did I order such a thing?" The captain questioned the guard, who became anxious about the captain''s scrutinizing gaze.


    "Before you tookmand, we were ordered to recapture the seized manor. Surrounding garrisons from various barracks in the west reach were sent to the manor for reinforcement." The guard reported as calmly as possible.


    He could see the changing emotions of the captain and understood that themander wasn''t happy with the news.


    "I see¡­ Well, then. Let''s hear this report of yours." The captain furrowed his eyebrows and barely contained his anger. Instead of fortifying what could be defended, these ignorant bastards went on the offensive instead.


    This wasn''t merely a rebellion but an invasion.


    If they desired to survive this precarious circumstance of theirs, they had to hunker them and wait for the reinforcing battleships of the expansionary fleet. This was the only path to their survival.


    The guard couldn''t respond as dozens of worried thoughts surged inside his mind. But he soon regained his determination and reported the truth to the captain.


    "The reinforcing army of hundreds of men had been lost. An unknown storm appeared out of nowhere andunched hundreds of lightning bolts to the ground. They couldn''t eveny their arms or scream from pain. They died in an instant."


    "Their bodies fried to crisped by theheaven''s wrath."


    The more the captain heard of the guard''s words. The more worried he became. His anxiousness wasn''t out of ce as it practically solidified the possibility of the dragoness being on the ind.


    If she was, no matter how much they hunker down and prepare their defenses. They would be defeated and bloodshed would ur.


    "May their souls be blessed by the goddess of magicraft." The captain sighed and uttered to the guard. He wasn''t part of the garrison, so it was hard to rte to the men lost in the field.


    However, it was different for the garrison stationed in the town. They were familiar to one another, making each death painful to each other.


    The guard didn''t respond to the captain as he realized that reality hadn''t set in for him. It wasn''t a mere army that was destroyed. It was hundreds from the garrison, massacred to damnation.


    The captain walked past the guard and walked towards themand tent of the garrison. As he walked inside, he saw the war master and several knights discussing their strategies.


    "Have you heard about the news from the reinforcing army?" The captain questioned while the war master didn''t utter a reply. It seems that he was already aware.


    "By the time we were aware of their deployment. It was already toote. The dragoness had massacred them." After a short while, the war master spoke to the captain.


    "It''s a tragedy." The captain nodded in understanding and stood amongst the discussing leaders of what remained on the western side of the ind.


    It took some time, but the discussion continued.


    "The east has already fallen into the hands of the rebels. We have no remaining garrisons inside of it. Not only that, but there''s news about a wave of rebels heading westward."


    "They are probably nning to besiege Servusarator."


    "What about the barracks separating the central and the west? What happened to it?" One of the knights inquired as the barracks was of importance.


    "We haven''t heard much news about it. Thest thing we heard about the barracks was the appearance of an inferno in its location. It gleamed radiantly into the horizon, making it visible to our scouts."


    "Is it the dragoness?" A knight questioned whether or not it was the dragoness that turned the barracks of the west into a crimson inferno.


    "I don''t think so. The dragoness is lounging in the manor, probably imprisoning the governor as hostage." The war master exined to the knights.


    The knights raised their eyebrows as they were somewhat surprised to hear his words.


    "The governor is still alive?" One of them questioned since they had already thought of the governor''s head falling into enemy hands. It was astounding to hear that he was still alive.


    "Naturally, of course. Otherwise, the dragoness wouldn''t have been lounging in the manor. If the governor died, she would have made hernding into this town." The war master continued to express his thoughts.


    "That makes sense. But why? Why would the dragoness keep the governor alive as a hostage?" Another knight questioned. The war master hearing it could only shake his head.


    He was also confused as to why the governor was still alive. If it was any other force, the governor''s head would have been separated from his body the moment he was captured.


    "I have no idea. Ever since the dragoness madendfall in this sea. She had been acting strange. Not only that, but a strange organization of traitors has also be acquainted with her." The war master expounded to the knights.


    "It might be because of them she''s acting strange."


    "What is this organization, Sir War Master?" A knight questioned, wanting to know the name of the traitorous organization.


    "They call themselves the United Navy, primarilyposed of traitorous humans who seek the foolish ideal of freedom for all. We asked for their surrender under the banner of humanity, but they sought to rebel instead."


    "None of them even have mana, making them subhumans at best. Practically heretics." These were what the Magus Tower thought about the hidden force known as the United Navy.


    Nothing more but arrogant heretics who were reliant on their technology.


    When the knights heard of the war master''s words. They felt nothing more than hatred for the arrogant lower humans who dared to not follow the demands of humanity. It made them wish for the destruction of such an organization.


    "They must be the ones liberating the Minokins and starting the rebellion on this ind." One of the knights realized, which the war master nodded, in agreement.


    He had the same thoughts.


    The rebellion of Servusarator didn''t emerge out of nowhere. Instead, they were done by the heretics of humanity, the United Navy.


    "I thought the same when I first heard of the insurrection. It is primarily why the expansionary battleship is anchored into this ind. We must not let them prevail!" The war master uttered with confidence.


    The knights felt ted to hear the words of the war master and regained their morale.


    Meanwhile, the captain was in silence as he observed the ongoing discussion between the knights and his war master.


    He had the same idea about the United Navy. He considered them as heretics, but he didn''t dare to underestimate them.


    Even though the fleet they sent in the diplomatic talks wasn''t the full might of the fleet Principatus Humanum, they were still significantly strong inparison to other navies in the Ferus Sea.


    The fact that War Master Theodore decided to retreat meant that the United Navy posed a significant threat.


    "Have you told them about the rebellion, Sir War Master?" One of the knights inquired, wanting to know where the fleet of Principatus Humanum was aware of the insurrection.


    "I have already made my report. Reinforcing battleships should arrive this morning." The war master uttered with confidence.


    This was the reason why they didn''t retreat despite the possibility that the dragoness dwelled on the ind. With the reinforcements, even if they wouldn''t be able to defeat the dragoness, they could probably cause devastating casualties to the rebels.


    Before the war master could continue with his thoughts, however¡­ A guard entered themand tent with a panic-stricken face. He breathed in and out heavily as though he had sprinted his way to the tent to immediately report something crucial.


    The war master and the knights raised their eyebrows, wondering why the guard had interrupted their meeting. On the other hand, the captain furrowed his eyebrows as he felt something was wrong.


    "The western fortification has fallen! I repeat! The western fortification has fallen!" The guard shouted with all his might, causing the knights to freeze up.


    The war master and captain immediately walked out of themand tent. As they turned their eyes to the heavens above, they saw giant metallic birds flying through the clear skies.


    Explosions seemed to echo from the outskirts of the town, Servusarator. But to the two of them who already realized what had happened. It was none other than death knocking on their door.


    "It seems that the main force of the United Navy has arrived! Prepare for the evacuation! And fortify the defenses!" The captain yelled at the knights, who immediately got out of their trance state.


    They nodded at the captain and followed his orders.


    The war master looked to the distance with shock and horror. This was the organization he considered as dregs and heretics. Such power shouldn''t belong to them.


    "Hey! Report this to the fleet. Get the reinforcements now! We don''t have any more time." The captain ordered the war master who was unknowingly terrified.


    But as soon as he had heard the words of the captain, the war master regained his calm and swiftly took out a runicmunicator.

 Chapter 94: | 094 | War For Liberation Part 13: Western Fortification Infiltration

    An hour ago before the strategic meeting of the knights and the war master¡­


    On the outskirts of the western fortification, a wooden carriage with a giant Minokin pulling it arrived at a nearby hill. As it made its full stop, the ones inside it stepped out, revealing themselves to the world.


    They were the Alpha Vanguard Task Force who were fortunately assisted by the giant Minokin, Espada.


    "From now on, you will be on your own, Sir Campbell," Espada uttered to the first lieutenant after taking off the straps on his body.


    The first lieutenant stretched his limbs and nodded to the giant Minokin. He also didn''t forget to say his thanks to the Warchief of the Minokin.


    "Thank you for the ride, Espada."


    "It''s the least I can do, Sir Campbell. At any rate, I''ll bemanding my fellow Minokins. I hope you will be able to aplish what you are trying to do in the western fortification."


    Espada expressed to the first lieutenant and ran back to the central interior where most of his kin resided. They needed a leader to guide them in this liberation, so he must be there for them.


    First Lieutenant Campbell watched as the figure of the giant Minokin got tinier by the second. He sighed to himself and turned his attention to the western fortification before them.


    The western fortification was, to say the least, pretty big. Anchored between two hills, it was the perfect coastal fortification that separated the ind''s interior from the seas.


    Its stone walls d with hundreds of cannons and anti-siege weapons made it incredibly impervious to anyndings of the foreign world. Though, the same couldn''t be said for the United Navy.


    "Let''s go. The schedule for thending has gotten earlier since the fleet is already sailing towards this ind, so we must make haste." Campbell said to his men, who all nodded in response.


    The Alpha Vanguard Task Force then treaded into the ins between themselves and the western fortification. And it was difficult. The fortification was heavily defended with patrols going in and out of the fortress making it hard for anyone to infiltrate nearby.


    However, the task force didn''t need to destroy the entirety of the western fortification toplete their mission. What they needed to do was assassinate a leading figure of the fortress.


    This figure was a war master working for the governing body of Servusarator.


    Stealthily following the patrols of the fortress, the Marines found a back door leading to the western fortification. The problem was¡­ It was heavily defended.


    To enter the fortress of the west, they needed something to attract their adversaries'' attention.


    "It seems that we need to call for another Sierra Strike," Campbell muttered under his breath and looked at the Marine Communication Operator.


    Noticing the gaze of the first lieutenant, the operator nodded in understanding and decided to call for assistance from thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.


    The operator took the call and a minuteter various confirmations. He gazed at the first lieutenant and reported the status of the Sierra Strike.


    "Sir, the Spear of Longinus has confirmed the Sierra Strike."


    Hearing the report of the operator, First Lieutenant Campbell nodded in satisfaction. The only thing they needed to do now was wait for what was toe.


    And the waiting didn''t take long.


    Half a minuteter, a shooting star pierced through the heavens and was headed to the western fortification. But as it was about to impact the western fortification.


    It exploded prematurely.


    A radiant light followed along with a thunderous roar of the explosion.


    *BOOM!!!*


    First Lieutenant Campbell squinted his eyes and observed the result of the Sierra Strike. ck smoke escaped the explosion and it didn''t seem to prate a transparent defensive bubble surrounding the western fortification.


    This was to be expected.


    The reason why an infiltration was needed was fairly simple. It was because of the existence of war masters who could conjure incredible defensive spells that could resist explosions with ease.


    As long as they had time to prepare themselves, it was theorized that they could survive a nuclear bomb as long as they weren''t directly hit by it. Of course, this was merely a theory.


    The United Navy didn''t know what the limits of magicraft were. So, they could only assume that it has no limits and must overestimate enemies with magicraft.


    But¡­ Even though the Sierra Strike couldn''t prate the shielding of the western fortification. It had done its job to cause chaos and get the attention of the guards out of the interiors.


    Looking at the back door, the guards were moving erratically and immediately got inside the fortress. Obviously, they followed almost immediately and got inside with rtive ease.


    Meanwhile¡­


    Inside the western fortification, the war master got out of his office with an astounded expression. Just recently, the entirety of the fortress shook tremendously. It was as though an earthquake hit them out of nowhere.


    "What the hell just happened!?" He cried out to his subordinates who were rattling throughout the hallway, preparing for a defense.


    One of the guards stopped and exined what happened to the war master.


    "Something attacked us out of nowhere, War Master! They caused a huge explosion, fortunately, the shield runic array saved us."


    Hearing the report of the guard, the war master realized that it was an attack. Without any hesitation, he sprinted away from his office and went through a long array of circling staircases.


    He got down from the top of the fortress and got to its very bottom where its shield runic array dwelled. Arriving at the hallway at the bottom of the western fortification, the war master stood before arge stone door.


    With a flick of his fingers, the door opened, unveiling the shield runic array room. He entered the room and saw many runes engraved onto the walls shining with radiant light.


    It seems that the explosion was pretty strong. Almost every rune in the room shone, signifying that the explosion had enough power to demolish the entirety of the fortress.


    ''I need to maintain it.'' The war master thought to himself since he didn''t know whether or not their enemy would attack again. He needs to be cautious.


    "But who the hell attacked us? Was it the rebels? No, it came from outside of the ind." The war master of the western fortification mumbled numerous words questioning about the attack.


    He thought of the rebels as the culprit of the explosion, but the direction it came from was outside of the ind. And he was confident that the rebels didn''t have enough power to enact such an explosion.


    "If not, then it must be them." As the war master of the western fortification, he wasn''t unaware of the news regarding the scuffle between the expansionary fleet of Principatus Humanum and the heretical organization, United Navy.


    Since the ntation colony of Servusarator was part of the colonial dominion. It was no doubt amongst the targets of the so-called United Navy.


    ''But to think that this United Navy would have such power.'' The war master quietly thought to himself as the runes engraved in the shield runic array weren''t to be underestimated.


    Even the greatest amongst the Magus would have a hard time prating it.


    At least they would need to charge up their spell to bring down the entire shielding array in an instant.


    At any rate, the war master knew that the maintenance of the shield runic array was their path to salvation and hope until the arrival of the reinforcements.


    So, he must maintain it no matter what. For the sake of his life and future as a war master.


    But before he could continue with his thoughts, a guard entered the room of the shield runic array and shouted to him.


    "War Master! We got infiltrators!"


    The words of the guard spooked the war master, who nced at the guard with furrowed eyebrows.


    "What do you mean by infiltrators? Did the main gate get breached?" He questioned the guard, who promptly shook their head.


    "No, Sir. The defenses of the main gate are still optimal. They must have entered through the back door." The guard exined to the war master.


    "Shouldn''t you be defending the back door to the fortress? That ce should be filled to the brim with you-" Before the war master could continue, he saw the horrified expression of the guard.


    "A lot of our reserves were sent to a reinforcing army that would take back the governor''s manor. We haven''t heard from them since they reported their arrival on the outskirts of the manor."


    When the war master heard of the guard''s words, the war master couldn''t utter a response. It was he who sent those reserves into the reinforcing army to take back the manor.


    After all, it was of importance to them as it would help in quelling the rebellion.


    None would have imagined for no battle to take ce in the outskirts of the manor. Only a massacre and a mass hill of corpses burnt to the brim.


    As the war master was about to open his mouth, a piercing sound echoed in the air. It was akin to a vase being smashed onto the ground.


    *Bang!*


    It was a mere moment, but it was enough for the war master to see the guard slowly fall to the ground. He was shot in the head and died in the horror of what had happened to their reserves.


    The war master immediately activated his runes, creating a barrier between him and the outside of the shield runic array.


    And afterward, several figures in dark-suited uniforms revealed themselves while holding rifles in their arms. They looked at him, like predators stalking their prey.

 Chapter 95: | 095 | War For Liberation Part 14: Alpha Task(Complete)

    Amidst the hall of the shield runic array room, the war master stood and gazed upon the dark figures in the entrance. The moment they emerged, he swiftly cast a barrier spell between them and the shield runic array.


    At the moment, they were in a standoff. The war master kept casting defensive runic spells while maintaining vignce towards the infiltrators.


    "You must be the ones that instigated the rebellion, warriors of the United Navy." The war master uttered with a questioning tone. He detected no mana from them, making them akin to a rock.


    The death of the guard gave him enough time to realize what had happened and cast a barrier against the infiltrators of the night.


    When the words of the war master echoed throughout the hall. The shadowy warriors of the United Navy didn''t give their response and merely stared at him.


    The war master of the western fortification furrowed his eyebrows upon noticing the infiltrator''sck of response. But that didn''t matter.


    As long as the shield runic array wasn''t destroyed, their enemies would have a hard time prating the ind through the west. This would provide them significant time that could aid their survival.


    But before the war master could continue with his thoughts, one of the shadowy warriors finally spoke to him.


    "You must be the war master of this fortress, correct?" His uncaring words resounded with calm as though the war master wasn''t much of a problem for them.


    "I am a war master of the Magus Tower. Your United Navy should have never provoked u-" The war master couldn''t continue his arrogant remark as the infiltrators fired at him without hesitation.


    *BBRrrrrttttt!!!*


    The entire hallway shed with rapidly blinking radiance. Thunderous roars of gunfire bellowed in the air while bullets rained towards the war master.


    Luckily for him, the barrier spell he had previously cast was proven to be effective against the rifles of the infiltrators. This gave him a tinge of confidence in his precarious circumstance.


    Five secondster, the infiltrators stopped firing at him after one of them gave them a hand signal to halt. The seeming leader of the infiltrators stepped forward and expressed his disappointment to the war master.


    "It is unfortunate that we cannot prate this shield of yours, War Master. This must be one of your so-called runic spells, correct? A part of magicraft that equates preparation to sess." He uttered with aloofness.


    The war master got out of his trance of being immediately attacked and regained hisposure. He furrowed his eyebrows and gazed at the leader of the infiltrators with hate.


    "You overestimate your technology a bit too much. The power of magicraft is beyond your understanding. Your pitiful technology will neverpare to our mystical power." He eximed with prideful determination.


    After uttering such words, he immediately cast a fireball towards the infiltrators. A ball of fire materialized before him and propelled towards the infiltrators.


    The shadowy warriors of the United Navy swiftly made cover behind the walls of the fortress. Seeing it, the war master chuckled with unmarked arrogance.


    *BOOM!*


    "You rats are hiding beneath my power. How foolish, it''s only a matter of time until you''ll die by my magic." Without dy, the war master cast more fireballs towards the entrance.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    Crimson red shed over his face as he couldn''t stop himself fromughing at the pitiful scene of the infiltrators hiding behind walls. His barrier was imprable. There would be nothing they could do about it.


    The arrogance of the war master or any practitioner of magicraft wasn''t unreasonable. Whenpared to the technologies of the foreign world such as cannons and old-aged rifles, magic seemed to reign supreme.


    However¡­ This was the advantage that the United Navy had over the foreign world. Theirplete underestimation of technology and overestimated their capabilities.


    As long as the United Navy could use this to itsplete potential, they could topple seemingly imprable fortresses with rtive ease.


    After some time, the hall of the shield runic array room calmed down. Darkness returned as scorch marks were scattered throughout the entrance of the room.


    The war master stopped firing, gazing at the entrance with a grin on his face.


    Several seconds passed by, and the infiltrators emerged from the walls. The war master turned his head slightly upward as if looking down at them and remarked.


    "You can''t think of defeating magic. This is a world where it reigns as the apex of existence. Its power gives us the ability to be gods of our own." It seems that the whole debacle got into his head a bit too much.


    But this was great for the so-called infiltrators.


    After all, this was what they were waiting for.


    First Lieutenant Campbell squinted his eyes and nced at his men. The barrier was troublesome, but it wasn''t something they couldn''t handle.


    They infiltrated this ind expecting to handle Magus and war masters. So naturally, they were equipped with an arsenal that could assist them in terminating these magic users.


    "Has it been assembled?" He muttered to them. His men nodded in confirmation as it had been prepared.


    It took some time to assemble the two Anti-Magus Guns, or Anzio 20mm Vulcan. They were also heavy, so they needed a minute or two to assemble them. Fortunately, the war master before them was as foolish as those they had met before.


    Too arrogant of their disposition as practitioners of magic.


    "Good, I''ll give a signal once an opportunity arises." Campbell nodded at them and turned his attention to the war master before him.


    The guy was still sputtering nonsense about the dominance of magic. He appears extremely confident of the barrier before him.


    "You aren''t replying to me now, huh? Has my runic spell made you lose your voice?" The war master couldn''t stop chuckling, but the first lieutenant didn''t care.


    While the war master was going on with his power trip, Campbell stealthy signaled his men. It didn''t take long before the two Anzio 20mm Vulcans were pointed at the war master.


    "What?" The war master was confused as he saw the stupidly massive rifles pointed at him. Wait, could they even be called rifles? In his eyes, they look more like a tiny cannon.


    With no hesitation or dy, the first lieutenant ordered the Anti-Magus Guns to fire towards the war master. And following his orders, the Marines pulled the trigger causing the barrel of the Vulcans to radiate light.


    *BANG!* *BANG!*


    A loud and thunderous roar echoed throughout the hall of the shield runic array. The 20mm bullets of the Anzio 20mm Vulcans easily prated through the barrier in mere moments and pierced through the hall.


    The war master felt his vision cked out in an instant, causing him to fall to the ground with a thud. Blood sttered everywhere as his head was cracked open along with a gaping hole on his chest.


    The pration capabilities of the Anti-Magus Gun weren''t to be underestimated. While the barrier might be able to resist explosions and small-arm rounds, a supersonic-prating bullet wasn''t to be underestimated.


    First Lieutenant Campbell watched the corpse of the war master and shook his head while sighing. Magus and war masters were too arrogant for their own god. But perhaps this works the best for the United Navy.


    Though, obviously¡­ Their underestimation wouldn''tst long and they would be smarter with time. Until then, he hoped the United Navy would be able to develop better countermeasures against the magic-druggies.


    At any rate, Campbell nced at the shield runic array and gave orders to his men.


    "nt C4s to the walls. We''ll have to take their shielding down since we have the chance to do so."


    The Marines nodded in understanding and took out a bunch of C4s from their bags. During infiltrations, bombs were always handy to destroy enemy structures. It was good to bring a lot of them, especially when tasked to destroy something.


    The Alpha Vanguard Task Force took their time in nting the C4s throughout the shield runic array room. After the first lieutenant inspected it for a second, he nodded in satisfaction and ordered them to leave.


    "Let''s withdraw! Our mission isplete."


    With that, Operation Phantom Liberation was near itspletion.


    The Marines got out of the western fortification after fighting through some guards. As they climbed up a hill, they could hear the deafening st reverberating behind them.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    Some parts of the western fortification crumbled and copsed. Guards were screaming throughout the fortress while the chaos got even stronger.


    Campbell watched the scene from afar as he took off the dark hood covering his head. His golden blond hair swayed from the ruffles of the breeze of wind while the radiance of sunrise pierced the sky.


    The morning had finally begun, and it was time for the sun to rise from the lines of the boundless horizon.


    As he observed the gleaming sunrise with interest, the Marine Communication Operator gave him a radio, signifying that the highmand wanted to personally call him.


    Campbell raised an eyebrow wondering what they wanted from him. But before he could question them, he could hear the words of the Fleet Admiral sounding out from the radio.


    He immediately straightened his back in instinct and wanted to salute. Luckily, though. He stopped himself from saluting out of nowhere and listened to the Fleet Admiral''s message.


    "First Lieutenant Campbell, congrattions onpleting your mission. The Combined-Offensive Fleet of the United Navy, Spear of Longinus, has arrived on the shores of Servusarator."


    "We will be picking you up."


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Out of nowhere, several shells fall down to the western fortification causing deafening sts everywhere. It came from none other than the capital ship of the United Navy, Trinity of Sce.

 Chapter 96: | 096 | War For Liberation Part 15: Spear of Longinus

    On the southwestern shores of the ntation colony, Servusarator. The Combined-Offensive Fleet of the United Navy, Spear of Longinus, found themselves adrift with the tide as their capital ship, Trinity of Sce,id waste to the unshielded western fortress.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Inside the bridge of the modernized battleship, Trinity of Sce. Abrahan observed his naval guns firing at the western fortification, bombarding it to bits.


    "It took some time, but we finally arrived." The fleet admiral of the United Navy muttered under his breath as he watched the devastation his warship brought to the fortress.


    "A lot earlier than expected, Fleet Admiral." Beside him was a gorgeousdy with silver-blond hair. With ashen irises that seemed cold and aloof, thedy watched the devastation with an uncaring gaze.


    She was the only vice admiral of the fleet, Vice Admiral Charlotte.


    Her words about being early were somewhat correct. Thending was scheduled for noon, 12 hours after Operation Phantom Liberation began.


    But unexpectedly, the situation in the field escted faster than expected so the fleet had to assist their infiltrators before the reinforcing battleships of Principatus Humanum made theirndfall.


    And from the looks of it, they were faster than their adversaries.


    "What can we do about it? Our task forces were so good at their job that we needed to adapt to their breathtaking speed." Abraham slightly smirked while ncing at Charlotte, who was beside him.


    The Alpha, Bravo, and Special Task Forces were practically blitzing through the ind at remarkable speed.


    The Bravo Vanguard Task Force took the eastern side of the ind with some assistance from the Special Task Force, while the Alpha Vanguard Task Force liberated the central part to the west of the ind.


    With the intelligence gained by the Alpha Vanguard Task Force, they were able to locate the manor of the colonial governor, prompting the official mission of the Special Task Force to start.


    It also didn''t take long before the Special Task Force took over the manor and captured the governor alive.


    Since the beginning of the mission, Operation Phantom Liberation was riddled with sess which took the vice admiral and fleet admiral by surprise.


    As their task forces were causing a lot of noise and chaos on the ind, they understood that it wouldn''t take long before the reinforcements from the Principatus Humanum arrived.


    So, they had to conclude their preparation as quickly as possible to give assistance to the forces in the field.


    "They didplete their missions faster than expected¡­" Charlotte softly uttered as she watched thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.


    It consisted of several Admiral-Gorshkov ss Frigates, an Arleigh-Burke ss Destroyer, a San-Antonio ss Amphibious Transport Dock, and finally, a Modernized-Iowa Battleship.


    Their grand fleet was far fromplete, but its naval power was unparalleled in the high waters of the Ferus Sea. It was their shield and sword against anything or anyone in this foreign world.


    But before Charlotte could continue with her silent thoughts, Abraham beside her inquired something about Operation Phantom Liberation.


    "Charlotte, has the UNS Guardian of the High Seas made its position near the shore?" He calmly questioned the vice admiral.


    Charlotte looked at him for a second before answering with an aloof voice.


    "The UNS Guardian of the High Seas has been reported to be a click away from the shores of Point A. It shouldn''t take long until we begin the beachnding."


    Hearing the vice admiral''s exnation, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd nodded in satisfaction. He then turned his gaze to the beach in front of the western fortress.


    They were lucky that these guys hadn''t ced any mines on their shores. Otherwise, anding would have been troublesome for the United Navy.


    Well, it''s like no problem couldn''t be solved with air power.


    ''Wait¡­ Now that I think about it. What about their air power?'' A thought emerged inside the mind of Abraham. And it was none other than the subject of the wyverns.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte? What is the status of their air force?" Abraham questioned Charlotte as he wondered about the current situation of the wyverns.


    "Destroyed, Sir. The air force of this ind has been utterly destroyed." Charlotte gave a cold answer to the fleet admiral before continuing with her words.


    "A couple of hours ago, Bravo Vanguard Task Force took their time In destroying various nests of the wyverns. Barracks in the east containing wyvern riders have also been devastated beyond relief."


    "It was one of their duties to cripple the air force of this colony. And they had done a good job doing so." The vice admiral ended her exnation with a slight grin.


    Meanwhile, a click away from the shores of the western fortress. The UNS Guardian of the High Seas opened its stern. Thest phase of Operation Phantom Liberation was finally about to start.


    It was time for the beachnding.


    As the stern of the amphibious transport dock fully opened, LCACs began escaping the metallic confines of the warship. Each air-cushionednding craft was transporting one M1A2 Abrams Tank and two toons of Marines.


    Following the LCACs were a dozen Amphibious Assault Vehicles carrying a squad of 12 Marines each. This meant that the beachnding operation had over a hundred Marines participating in it.


    But thending didn''t simply stop in the sea.


    In the flight deck of the LPD, two Ospreys were about tounch themselves from the warship. Each Osprey was carrying two squads of Marines to create a forward task force deep into the western shores of Point A.


    Their propellers resounded throughout the air as they propelled their metallic bodies to the heavens. Afterward, they pointed their nose toward thending zone and swiftly flew toward it.


    Back to the flight deck of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, another Osprey got pulled out of the hangar deck. It was slowly tugged into the flight deck and was rapidly checked by various engineers.


    After checking the Osprey which didn''t take a minute. The engineers gave a go to the aviation officers, prompting the next two squads of Marines to get ready.


    The preparation was quick as it didn''t take long before the two squads of Marines were sent to enter the Osprey. The pilot of the bird nced at the Marines behind him and called the air control for the uing flight.


    The air control immediately responded and the osprey was cleared for flight.


    After the squads of Marines got themselves seated in the bird, the propellers of the aircraft started rotating. Each p echoed in the metallic interior of the aircraft as it trembled.


    The Osprey then lifted off the flight deck and followed the trajectory of the first two Ospreys. The Marines inside the bird watched through the windows as the tides of the seas surged into the shore.


    Beside its tides were various amphibious vehicles of the United Navy engaging in a beachnding.


    Luckily for them though, the western fortress was already pummeled to the ground. Their adversaries couldn''t mount an effective defense against their beachnding, resulting in no casualties uponndfall.


    But things were different in the forward task force sent by the United Navy.


    *Bang!* *BBBRRrrrrtttt!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    In the metallic interiors of the Osprey, the Marines could hear gunfire echoing throughout the heavens and the earth. As they observed through the window, they could see an army of men trying to destroy the forward task force.


    Arrows were shot everywhere along with screams. There were also some guards operating flintlocks, but they weren''t that much different from the archers with them.


    The Ospreynded in the field where the forward defensive task force was erected. Their job was to halt anything and anyone from moving into the shore so that none of their arriving brothers would be killed before getting out of their amphibious vehicles.


    *BOOM!!!*


    An explosion resounded as the Marines got out of the Osprey. They immediately got into position as themanding officer of the forward task force stood in front of them.


    He was a lieutenant colonel and was of higher rank than anyone in the field surrounding them.


    "The guards of the western fortification are deserting from their positions, but they are converging to our current location to mount an attack against the shoreline."


    "Although the effectiveness of their assault on the beach can be questioned, it is our job as the forward task force to keep them at bay. Many more of your colleagues are fighting off these crazy bastards, so help them!"


    The lieutenant colonel shouted at the newly arrived Marines, who nodded in understanding upon hearing his orders. They swiftly positioned themselves to assist their brothers in the defensive effort.


    Since the third Osprey hadnded into their position, the first one lifted off and returned to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas to pick up more Marines.


    Ten minutester, the second one followed.


    *BBBRRRrrrrrtttt!*


    The Marines kept firing at the iing crazed guards. Despite deserters of their fortress, these maddened guards seemed uncaring for their lives. They were akin to possessed monsters who only knew how to destroy.


    Obviously, there was something wrong about the situation the forward task force found itself in. Perhaps, a mystical phenomenon was at y.


    Meanwhile¡­ Dozens of kilometers away from the forward task force, a dark-cloaked figure stood in silence, observing the situation from afar. His spell had worked and maddened the surviving guards to attack their invaders.


    But it was fairly clear that these guards were ineffective.


    Though¡­ He already bought time for the Principatus Humanum to have a chance to reim the ind.


    "Hmm¡­ I wonder if I should summon my golems?"

 Chapter 97: | 097 | War For Liberation Part 16: Beach Landing

    On Point A of the western shores where the beachnding of the United Navy was made. Various amphibious vehicles were scattered about with hundreds of Marines stepping out from their metallic confines.


    The Abrams tanks transported by the LCACs were released deep into the beach and swiftly rolled out into enemy lines. The Marines, with the help of their armored vehicles, also punctured through the beach.


    The beachnding of Operation Phantom Liberation was a sess. At the moment, the United Navy was entering the conflict with the shock and awe doctrine, bringing about Seahawks roaming the skies.


    Victory seems easily attainable for the United Navy. Obviously, however... Things were far from simple.


    Kilometers away from the shore. The perpetrator of the conflict happening with the forward task force was observing the beachnding with concern etched on his face.


    Their adversaries were far more capable than what he had expected. The army of their enemies had been entirely deployed in mere moments, signifying the inevitable fall of Servusarator.


    If he doesn''t do anything, the town of Servusarator will be overwhelmed by the forces of their adversaries. So, he needed to find a way to halt them from their advance and buy time.


    "I was trying to save this spell forter. But it must be used at this moment where they haven''t fully entrenched themselves to this beach." The Magi uttered with furrowed eyebrows.


    He wouldn''t have bothered saving his spells if it was before he stood on this ind. But his only colleague was promptly defeated by the dragoness and mercilessly killed.


    He needed to be cautious and save up his cards. Or perhaps, he would die like his friend.


    "I don''t have time to wait and this is a rare opportunity." The magi became determined and steeled his heart. He would maybe meet his end on this very ind, but he was a proud Magus.


    Not a coward of a magic practitioner.


    With this in mind along with his determined heart, the Magus conjured his grimoire to appear before him. And it did. The air surrounding him changed as a dark book materialized out of nowhere.


    He gazes upon the book with a fierce re and opened it with a flick of his fingers. Pages rapidly turn before stopping at a particr spell.


    The Magus took a deep breath while observing the spell in from of him with a scrutinizing gaze.


    ''Imperial Golem... This spell requires a lot of mana to be cast. As a result, a dozen 100-meter hardened golem would emerge from the ground.''


    He quietly thought to himself since the moment he cast this spell. He wouldn''t be able to cast defensive spells for himself. But in exchange for the power of the titanic golem? It was worth it.


    The Magus then closed his eyelids and cast the spell. A giant magic circle imprinted itself below him as it glowed in darkness. It shone with shimmering radiance even though it was pitch-ck, a telltale sign of its murky pose.


    ''Imperial Golem!'' With a single thought, the grand summoning spell was fully cast.


    Meanwhile, on the beach of the western shores. Many of the Marines and armored vehicles were heading out to support the forward task force. But as they were doing so, the ground trembled.


    At first, it was akin to slight shaking. But with time, it became a full-blown earthquake.


    The Marines were unprepared for the unexpected emergence of the earthquake, but they quickly adapted to the shaking. It didn''t take long before the earthquake calmed down, leaving the Marines time to breathe.


    But sadly for them, it was far from over.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Out of nowhere, nearby hills of the western shores erupted with unrivaled force. It was as though multiple volcanos exploded throughout thend. It was a shocking scene for the Marines who felt hopeless for the first time.


    And the despairing circumstance continued.


    Following the cloud of dirt erupted into the heavens were colossal figures far bigger than anything they had ever seen. Each one with a height of a hundred meters.


    It was the first for the Marines to see a behemoth of a titan. Giant monsters in the sea were within their line of understanding, but titanic colossuses onnd were far from what they could possibly conceive inside of their minds.


    The Magus looked at the daunting scene with pride. His imperial golems will trample upon those who dare the question and resist the power of the Magus Tower.


    He couldn''t help but think of the despairing soldiers of his enemies. And feel glee from their horror.


    But not everyone in the Marines was shocked.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    *BBBRRRRRTTTTT!*


    The Abrams tanks fired their shells towards the titans in front of them while the surrounding armored vehicles fired everything in their arsenal. Gunfire echoed throughout the beach along with brilliant lights.


    One of the dozen behemoths stood nearest to the western shore and faced the onught of modern arms firsthand. Explosions, bullets, and craters shrouded its body as it roared with all its might.


    *ROAR!!!*


    Surprisingly, the offensive attacks of the Marines were somewhat effective against the colossal monsters. Unfortunately, however... They didn''t have enough firepower to disable a single one of them.


    But the Marines were far from being alone. They weren''t sent to the shores of Servusarator without any tinge of support. Instead, it was the opposite. Behind them was the full power of the United Navy.


    Thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.


    In the bridge of the capital battleship, Trinity of Sce. The fleet admiral stood inside with a cold expression on his face. He was in his high horse when they first began theirnding operation.


    However, the emergence of the titanic behemoths practically poured cool water on his previous excitement.


    "It looks like we have a stray Magus on the loose. We must handle this variable before it could cause more chaos on the battlefield." Charlotte calmly uttered while standing behind the fleet admiral.


    "Stray Magus? That guy must be packing to be able to summon these gargantuan monsters." Abraham remarks as he res at the towering titans threatening to trample his Marines. He''d rather have such a horrific fate to be trampled than his army.


    "How should we handle the titans, Fleet Admiral?" Charlotte inquired, wanting to know the ns Abraham had in mind against these monstrous threats.


    Abraham looked at her for a mere second and an answer already appeared inside his head. The only path for a navy to handle and kaiju was destruction through sheer firepower.


    "Bomb them through damnation and leave none of them behind. Their existence will copse by the firepower of our navy." Abraham expressed and continued.


    "As impressive as a titanic colossus is, let''s see how it would fare against our warheads."


    Hearing the words of the fleet admiral, Charlotte could only smile as she fully agreed with the n he had in mind. It was simple and direct. It should be enough against these mystical phenomena.


    "I''ll ry your orders, Fleet Admiral Abraham." Charlotte softly said to Abraham before heading out to meet with the intelligence officers andmunication operators inside the ship.


    Abraham nodded at her, grateful for the vice admiral''s assistance. Afterward, he turned his gaze to the western shores of Servusarator, brimming with titans of unparalleled proportions.


    He was determined to destroy them and execute the one that summoned such horrors before his Marines.


    It didn''t take long for the turrets of the Trinity to slowly turn towards the monstrous entities near the shores. It seems that the vice admiral had ryed his orders to the fire control.


    It wasn''t only the fire control of the Trinity of Sce ryed with the orders of the fleet admiral.


    Surrounding warships were also given the same order, which was the destruction of the monstrous titans.


    Various frigates and destroyers operated through their battle stations as they prepared theunch of warheads at the behemoths walking towards the western shore.


    Nevertheless, the Trinity of Sce was the first to fire with its 16-inch naval guns giving a salvo to the behemoths.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    sts escaped the barrels of the naval guns firing munitionsparable to tiny cars. The shockwave was deafening, but it was the song of liberation for the naval personnel.


    Near the western shores of Servusarator, the Magus watched his work of art tread through the ins of the ntation colony. In his eyes, they were unstoppablepared to his adversaries. But things were never meant to be smooth-going.


    It could be said for the United Navy. And the same applied to the Magus.


    With his eyes on the dozen titanic monsters heading towards the shorelines. In a mere instant, all of them glowed with sun-like radiance. What followed were deafening roars echoing throughout the heaven and the earth.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The thunderous explosions resounded to the western half of the ind. From the western shores to the town of Servusarator, and the governor''s manor.


    It was heard by everyone and everything.


    The Magus could only watch in horror while hiding amidst the shrubs of the ins. One by one, his proud creations fell to the earth. Their indomitable size, privy to the firepower of the United Navy.


    This was the conclusion of those who dared to oppose freedom.


    Death through explosions.


    In the outskirts of the governor''s manor, Lace stood within a misty in shrouded with white fog. Surrounding her were burnt corpses scattered throughout the wasted grasnd.


    Hearing the deafening explosion from the far distance, the edges of her red and supple lips rose.


    "My, my... Abraham, you''re quite merciless."

 Chapter 98: | 098 | War For Liberation Part 17: Stray Magus

    "W-What!? How is this possible?" The Magus questioned with horror deeply rooted in his voice. His work of art, titans beyond the realms of those who had no magic could handle, fell in mere moments before his eyes.


    It was the unexpected reality that he never thought of partaking in.


    But it was the current reality he dwelled on, and there was nothing he could do about it. Adapting and trying to survive after his failed attempts to annihte his adversaries was his only option.


    "The moment I cast by the spell. It was fairly clear that they would being after me." The Magus mumbled to himself after calming his heart and mind down.


    While he''d prefer to use spatial transmission to get out of the ind after failing to destroy his adversaries with the spell. Unfortunately, the price of such a grandiose spell was his entire mana pool.


    This practically made him akin to a normal human after casting the spell, which was a significant downside of the spell.


    ''I have to leave this ce.'' He quietly thought to himself while walking towards the direction where the town of Servusarator dwelled. He could have them protect him until some of his mana returned, which was the only path of survival he had in mind.


    With this in mind, the Magus determined himself to walk the vast distances between the western fortification and the town of Servusarator.


    Meanwhile, in the governor''s manor in the central region of the ntation colony.


    Lace noticed Mercedes walking towards her with a radio in her hand. The dragoness raised her eyebrows, wanting to know what Abraham wanted from her after causing such a tremendous explosion.


    "Lady Lace... The fleet admiral has called. Some stray magus summoned gargantuan behemoths near the western shores of Point A." Mercedes calmly reported to the dragoness and continued.


    "Most of the towering monsters have been destroyed, but the stray Magus hasn''t been captured or terminated. The fleet admiral wishes for you to take care of the stray Magus."


    Hearing the words of her second inmand, Lace nodded in understanding and thought about the matter given to her. A stray Magus was unexpected, but it wasn''t too surprising.


    Perhaps, the stray Magus was a colleague of the Master Magus she had previously buried six feet underground.


    Nevertheless, the task given by Abraham was right up her alley, so she had no reason to reject it.


    "Understood, I''ll ept the task." Lace softly said to Mercedes, who merely nodded in understanding. The dragoness then continued with a calm smile and a pleasant voice.


    "Mercedes, take care of the manor while I''m gone. Assure that the governor stays alive until my return."


    Mercedes looked at the white-haireddy and nodded once again. It seems that a stray Magus will be hunted by a dragon. How unfortunate... To meet such a ruthless fate.


    Lace grinned at her second inmand and disappeared from the spot. Silence soon shrouded the manor as the Special Task Force continued guarding the premises.


    After the dragoness left the manor, Mercedes opened the radio and reported that the dragoness had epted the task of the fleet admiral. She would be handling the stray Magus that managed to escape.


    Back to Lace, she was sprinting through the ins, heading towards the western shore where the incident took ce. She was moving at an incredibly rapid pace, slowly creating a sound barrier in front of her.


    And it didn''t take long before she pierced through it.


    *Bang!*


    It only took fifteen minutes for Lace to arrive on the western shores where thebined-offensive fleet of the United Navy, Spear of Longinus, could be seen in the distance.


    She looked at it with amazement as it looked spectacrly different from any fleets she had seen before her arrival in the sea region of Terra. But she wasn''t here to enjoy the view, but to investigate the crime scene.


    Lace turned her gaze towards the massive corpses of hardened golems scattered throughout the ins. It seems that they were bombarded by the superior firepower of the fleet, causing them to be promptly destroyed.


    But that wasn''t what was important as Lace recognized the spell used by the stray Magus.


    ''Imperial Golem.'' She wasn''t ignorant of the spells used by her adversaries and rivals. The Imperial Golem was an impressive spell that could summon gargantuan golems that towered over the skies.


    Their numbers were highly dependent on the mana of the caster, which meant that a Master Magus could perhaps summon a hundred of them.


    However, there was a big downside to such a spell. It costs the caster''s entire mana pool. Quite a dangerous price to pay, especially for a Magus. Mana was their lifeline, practically the fuel to their magicraft.


    Without it, they would be sitting ducks. Akin to ordinary humans who wouldn''t be able to do much against physically strong opponents.


    "The fact that he used such a spell against the Marines. It seems that he had underestimated the firepower of the United Navy." Lace muttered to herself and continued with a sigh.


    "They always underestimate those without mana. But perhaps, this will be their wake-up call to one single fact. The United Navy isn''t to be underestimated."


    At any rate, as said before, she wasn''t here to observe the scenery or talk about the foolishness of her adversaries. She needed to find out the status of the stray Magus and the corpses of the titans. It was fairly clear.


    The stray Magus was significantly weakened. Even an ordinary human could get a punch to the bastard''s face. And this was a piece of good news.


    ''This makes things easier.'' The dragoness thought with a smirk emerging on her face. Abraham had given her easy prey, and she''ll take her time in hunting it.


    "I guess it''s time to catch up with the stray," Lace mumbled and disappeared from the spot in an instant.


    Finding a single Magus on a massive ind would be hard, even for the dragoness. However, the stray Magus could only head towards a single spot on the ind. The one ce that could be considered safe for someone like him.


    The town of Servusarator.


    In the meantime, the stray Magus walked through the dreaded ins of Servusarator. There was still a vast distance between him and the two, but he was fairly far from the beaches of the western fortification.


    This should give enough time for him to escape the clutches of his adversaries.


    "But walking such arge distance is pretty troublesome." He muttered under his breath despite the morning breeze calming his body. Exhaustion was seeping in at a faster rate than ever before.


    He wouldn''tst long if he continued his pace, which meant that he needed to rest.


    But taking his time to rest was impacting his survival. After all, they wereing after him and they would probably get closer the moment he stopped moving.


    With this in mind, the stray Magus had no choice but to keep moving even though his body was aching along with exhaustion knocking into his mind.


    However... As he took one step forward into salvation, he noticed the air surrounding him change. It was barely noticeable, but noticeable nheless. Obviously, there was something amiss.


    The stray Magus furrowed his eyebrows as he prepared himself. His grimoire materialized before him as he was willing to scrape his remaining mana to meet the threating after him.


    Seconds passed by, and only silence met him.


    He was confused and wondered whether or not was falling into madness from exhaustion. It was hard to confirm such a theory, and perhaps there was no need for confirmation.


    After all, behind him was her.


    The dragoness.


    His instincts screamed at him to run away as his spine shivered from horror. It was as though death was knocking on his doorstep, wanting toe in. His breathing became ragged as he slowly turned his head to the rear.


    It was then he saw her... A gorgeous white-haireddy with ck horns and a dark draconic tail.


    This was the source of his terror.


    And it was understandable.


    Since she was the Dragon of the Revolting Tide, the Destroyer.


    "Dragon... It seems that they sent you to kill a small fry like me. Should I consider this an honor?" The stray Magus wanted to maintain his sanity by speaking in equal terms to the dragoness.


    But the two of them were never equal, for he was nothing but an ordinary man in the eyes of the Dragon.


    "They sent me to take out the pest that bothered them. Don''t think too much about it. They are more concentrated on liberation than this so-called honor of yours." The white-haired dragoness replied with arrogance.


    The stray Magus furrowed his eyebrows but didn''t utter a single word. It seems that he was delusional as to think what he had done mattered in the big picture. He hadn''t even brought down a single one of them, so what he did was for nothing.


    ''I should have escaped when I had the chance.'' The stray Magus quietly thought to himself as if epting his inevitable death. But out of nowhere, he swiftly cast his lightning spell to the dragoness, who deflected it with a flick of her fingers.


    *Bam!*


    Momentster, the dragoness disappeared in front of the stray Magus and emerged beside him. Without any hesitation or dy, she swung her pale arms and immediately decapacitated the stray Magus.


    His head fell to the ground, rolling forward before getting squashed by the dragoness''s leather heels. His body burned in crimson mes, making sure that no pieces of the stray Magus were left alive.


    The stray Magus died, in a mere instant, by the United Navy''s executioner.

 Chapter 99: | 099 | War For Liberation Part 18: The Besieged Town, Servusarator

    In the western part of the ind, the town of Servusarator dwelled. And anchored within its port was the expansionary battleship of the Principatus Humanum. This ship was the hope of the settlement and its people.


    It was the torch that kept the colonists of Servusarator from despairing out of their unfortunate circumstances.


    The captain of the expansionary battleship furrowed his eyebrows as explosions resounded from the outskirts of the town. He could also see metallic birds flying through the skies, unimpeded.


    The situation of the Servusarator was far from good.


    They were surrounded at all sides and they didn''t even know when the reinforcements from the expansionary fleet of Principatus Humanum woulde.


    "Captain! There are forces other than the rebels. They have invaded through the beaches of the western fortress." One of the knights reported to the captain.


    Hearing the words of the knight, the captain furrowed his eyebrows. It seems that his thoughts were true, which was a piece of bad news for him and the town of Servusarator.


    ''Other forces, huh... It looks like the United Navy has arrived to im their trophy.'' The captain quietly thought to himself, slowly feeling hope fading by the second.


    They had no chance against their adversaries. Fighting against them was guaranteed bloodshed and defeat. But the colonists of Servusarator were pinning their hopes on the authority of humanity.


    So, he and they must not give up, amidst these despairing times.


    With this in mind, the captain regained his confidence and wanted to fight despite the inevitable defeat. He turned his determined gaze to the knight hear him and ordered them.


    "Prepare our defenses! We will fight in this town, until the very end. For we are humanity''s warriors, we shall not surrender." The captain uttered to the knight, who nodded with a hopeful expression.


    "Go, we don''t have any more time left. Manned every inch of this town with defenses! Let them know of our power and be humanity''s shield against the heretics!" He ordered the knight to immediately ry his orders.


    The knight nodded once again vehemently and ran off to give the orders of the captains to the surrounding knights. The town of Servusarator must be protected no matter what.


    When rying such orders, the knight uttered the very words the captain had spoken to him, causing the morale of the remaining local garrison to increase further beyond.


    On the other hand, the war master gazed upon the invading forces of the United Navy that were closing in. Defeat seems inevitable in his eyes, but the colonists appeared to be riled up.


    This made the war master smile as he thought to himself with a tinge of satisfaction.


    ''It looks like he''s not so bad with his speeches.''


    ''Though... Will it be enough against the firepower of the United Navy? Without the assistance of the main fleet, we have no chance against our adversaries.''


    ''But perhaps, buying time is simply enough for us.'' The war master closed his eyelids and sighed. Beforehand, he was confident and prideful. However... Things were different now.


    He hade to ept reality for what it was. Magicraft wasn''t as supreme as he had previously achieved. And these traitorous humans with advanced technologies could perhaps find some leeway against it.


    Although it was hard to ept. It was the truth.


    The war master held his runicmunicator tightly as any responses from the main fleet hadn''t been heard ever since they sent the distress call.


    He wanted to throw it away for being useless, but it was his hope. He hoped that a voice woulde out from the runicmunicator and save them.


    Meanwhile, in the governor''s manor within the central region of Servusarator¡­


    A Seahawk slowlynded on the frontwn of the manor as various Marines stepped out of it and secured the nearby area. After making sure it was clear and safe, they signaled their Eagle to leave the confines of the helicopter.


    What emerged was none other than the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.


    He wore an admiral''s uniform with a peaked hat over his jet-ck hair. On his chest was a golden five-star insignia stered over his uniform. It presented his power and authority over the United Navy.


    The rank of the Fleet Admiral.


    Following the fleet admiral was the Vice Admiral of the United Navy, Charlotte. She was the executive officer of the capital battleship, Trinity of Sce, and the second highest-ranking officer in the United Navy.


    Like Abraham, she wore her ck-colored admiral''s uniform along with a darkened peak hat above her silver-blond hair. A three-star insignia was bonded over her chest, signifying her authority as the Vice Admiral.


    The two of them walked through thewn of the governor''s manor, heading towards the front door of the building. The Marines had already scoured the area, while the Special Task Force met them in the doorstep of the manor.


    Upon seeing the fleet admiral and the vice admiral, the soldiers of the Special Response Unit straightened their backs and saluted to their superiors.


    Abraham and Charlotte nodded at the soldiers of the SRU and continued on their way into the governor''s manor.


    As they entered the luxurious hall shrouded with towering marble pirs, they noticed the governor strapped on a chair in the middle of the hall. Abraham looked at the guy, who seemed to have already lost hope and couldn''t help but feel chills.


    This was done by that problem dragon, making him somewhat fear bing on her bad side.


    "My, my... Abraham and Charlotte. It looks like I wasn''tte." In front of them was the dragoness of the United Navy, Lace. Her silver-white hair swayed left and right as she walked towards the two high officers.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow while his eyesid on the dragoness, who appeared to be enjoying her time in the ntation colony of Servusarator.


    "I assume that the task has beenpleted." He calmly inquired to the dragoness, who responded with a teasing grin.


    "Already done... The stray Magus is six feet underground- Or... perhaps spreading throughout the air." She appeared to be satisfied with her work, which Abraham didn''t question.


    "Good, that guy was an annoyance. The fact that he could summon such towering giants makes him a troublesome opponent." Abraham nodded in satisfaction and walked past the dragoness.


    "Is this the governor of the ntation colony?" He questioned the gorgeous white-haireddy, who maintained her smirk and briefly nodded to his inquiry.


    "With their leader gone, their chain ofmand must be in chaos. Any remaining variables other than the town of Servusarator shouldn''t be a problem to us." Abraham muttered after observing the governor.


    The reason why he wanted the governor was fairly simple. It was to introduce a peaceful surrender to the humans in the town of Servusarator. This would lower the bloodshed, and would not be horrendous for both his forces and the enemy''s.


    "Correct, Fleet Admiral." Charlotte stood beside the fleet admiral while looking at the tied-up governor of the ntation colony. She expected for a magic practitioner to be the leader of the colony, but it looks like she overestimated them a bit too much.


    "The governor of Servusarator will be useful in acquiring a surrender from the town. So, Lieutenant Lace... Send him to the frontlines to meet with the main army." Charlotte nced at Lace who kept smiling at the two of them.


    Lace didn''t respond to the stone-faced girl and merely gazed at Abraham, who briefly nodded at the dragoness.


    "Affirmative, we''ll be sending him to the frontlines." Lace softly replied to the vice admiral of the United Navy. Charlotte wasn''t bothered by the actions of the dragoness. It was the usual behavior of the problem dragon.


    But it was better for the dragoness to ask direct orders from the fleet admiral. So, she was satisfied by the actions and behavior of the problem dragon.


    "Before that, I''d like to talk to him," Abraham uttered as he got nearer to the governor, who was tied up to a chair. The governor looked incredibly tired, but as he noticed someone getting closer to him, his body awakened.


    He opened his eyes and looked at the one in front of him. It was a middle-aged man, wearing a naval uniform of some sort. The most prominent thing on the man was his insignia.


    ''A five star.'' The governor realized that the one before him was none other than the leader of the United Navy. This caused the wisps of raging mes in his heart to grow stronger.


    "You''re the one that ordered your United Navy to invade mynd, huh... You''re underestimating the power of the Sovereigns a bit too much." The governor said to the fleet admiral with hatred on his face.


    "You''ll lose everything you have, and the Albion Empire will personally seek revenge for what you have done to Servusarator." He continued spouting his mouth without care of consequences.


    A cold expression emerged on Lace''s face as she stepped closer to the governor, but Abraham stopped her from moving forward with his hand and smiled at the chained man in front of him.


    "Please don''t misunderstand. The United Navy isn''t the type to underestimate its opponents. I merely hope that you''ll ept an unconditional surrender to the navy." Abraham expressed to the governor.


    The governor clenched his teeth and questioned.


    "And why should I do that?"


    Hearing the reply of the governor, Abraham''s smile slowly turned cold as he reached out to his holster. A revolver resided between his fingers while he pointed it at the governor.


    "Because you won''t have any use anymore if you don''t do so, and your entire town will be pummeled into the ground. We have the capabilities to do so, and can do it without any problems."


    "Do you really want to be the first to test our patience?" He questioned the governor who felt chills after hearing his words.

 Chapter 100: | 100 | War For Liberation Part 19: The Battle of Servusarator(Prologue)

    In the outskirts of the besieged town, Servusarator... The surrounding fortresses protecting the settlement were ttened to the ground while its survivors became prisoners of the Marine Vanguard Forces.


    Only the town remained under the control of the colonists, signifying its battle as the turning point of Operation Phantom Liberation.


    The Marine Vanguard Forces halted their advance about 10 clicks from the colonial settlement and were preparing for the final siege. It would be difficult, but it must be done for the liberation of the ind.


    Amidst the Marines, Lace stood before them while gazing upon the lone town near the western shores. It was fortified with high walls reaching 20 meters tall and perhaps 5 meters thick. If it was the usual forces of the Ferus Sea, they would have had a hard time conquering the town.


    But sadly for the town of Servusarator, they were dealing with the United Navy.


    The capabilities and versatility of the United Navy weren''t to be underestimated. From the ground, air, and seas... Their utilization of strategy, tactics, and technologies in warfare was unrivaled.


    So, the results of this siege were fairly simple and clear. It would end with the defeat of the forces within the town of Servusarator.


    "I hope that the strategy of Abraham does work. It would be troublesome if things get bloody." Lace muttered under her breath as she didn''t want to see the Marines sacrificing themselves for a siege. It would be saddening.


    "It depends on who the current leader of the town is, Lady Lace." Beside the dragoness was a noble wolf beastfolk also known as the second inmand of the Special Response Unit, Mercedes.


    Lace nced at Mercedes for a second before nodding in agreement. It all depends on the leader of their adversaries to decide whether they wish to die or not.


    "Lieutenant Lace," Someone called the dragoness from behind, prompting her to point her eyes at where the voice came from. Upon gazing at the one that called for her, she realized that it was none other than First Lieutenant Campbell.


    The leader of the Alpha Vanguard Task Force.


    "First Lieutenant Campbell, here I thought you''d be taking your time in the UNS Guardian of the High Seas. After all, your mission has beenpleted." Lace said to the first lieutenant.


    The first lieutenant merely smiled and responded.


    "Well... We simply decided that it was good to see the end of what we started, so we joined along." Campbell uttered the truth as he desired to see the conclusion of the liberation.


    Whether it would be a bloodbath or a happy one didn''t matter. Seeing the final moments of what you began was something he and his men were interested in.


    "And perhaps... You''ll be interested in one of our allies." Campbell uttered while pointing at the giant Minokin walking towards them. Most of the Marines had their eyes on the giant Minokin, but they soon returned their attention to their duties.


    "His name is Espada, the Warchief of the Minokin Tribe. He is the one leading the liberation of his people and guiding them to cooperate with us." First Lieutenant Campbell introduced the giant Minokin to the dragoness.


    Lace looked at the giant Minokin and remembered that these were the ones that the United Navy nned to liberate in Servusarator. She almost forgot about them as her attention was mostly concentrated on her task.


    But upon remembering them, she took notice of their usefulness in construction and transportation. They would be helpful to the growth of the town outside the Port of Dawn.


    "Good to see you Espada, I am-" Before Lace could continue and introduce herself to the giant Minokin, Espada intruded and said with surprise followed by profound respect.


    "Lace, the Dragon of the Revolting Tide."


    Lace raised an eyebrow after Espada uttered her former identity as a rebel leader. It was expected for her enemies to know about her, but some random war chief in the sea region of Terra knowing her was astounding.


    She didn''t expect her former identity to perpetuate throughout the Ferus Sea.


    "You are right, but also wrong. I''m not the Dragon of the Revolting Tide anymore. But Lieutenant Lace of the United Navy. I quit my former job." Lace shook her head with a smile.


    Listening to the words of what he considered his hero, Espada was beyond shocked. The legendary Dragon that dominated the entirety of the frontier with her power was considered a deity by every beastfolk.


    And the fact that she retired from that was...


    Espada couldn''t corrte a single word to it. Perhaps, maybe, a tinge of emptiness.


    "You became part of the United Navy? Why? What about the Revolting Tide? What happened to the rebellion?" Espada inquired as he wished to know about what happened to the liberators in the Frontier.


    "I''m the only one that left. They should still be operating in the Frontier." Lace answered, bing annoyed that she was getting straightforwardly questioned about her pasts.


    "I see... I will not decide whether the path you had chosen was better for you or not. But let me ask you one final question." The giant Minokin wanted to ask hisst question to the dragoness.


    Wanting to end the farce as early as possible, Lace epted his proposal since it was better to answer one single question than to face many.


    "Ask your worst."


    "Did you regret leaving the Revolting Tide?" Espada softly questioned, not wanting to unexpectedly meet the ire of the dragoness.


    Hearing the words of the giant Minokin, silence shrouded the air as a tense atmosphere intruded. Campbell looked at Espada and Lace, wondering if he should pray for the safety of his newly-gained ally.


    Lace didn''t utter a single word, but the edges of her lips rose as a smile emerged on her face. She looked directly at the eyes of the giant Minokin and responded with utmost confidence.


    "I don''t regret it. The United Navy is the best path for me." Her reply and her expression were enough for the giant Minokin. It looks like his hero has taken a path he doesn''t regret.


    "It seems that it is. The Minokin Tribe stands with you, Dragon of the United Navy." Espada bowed to Lace, who merely nced at him with her golden irises.


    Noticing how low his bow was, the dragoness lightly chuckled and remarked to the giant Minokin.


    "No need to bow. The United Navy doesn''t require someone to bow. Instead, why don''t you give me a salute? You should have seen Campbell do it right?" Lace said, making Espada straighten his back and salute to the dragoness.


    "That''s the way."


    "Anyhow, let''s return our attention to the town." Lace turned his gaze towards the town of Servusarator and continued with her words. "Take out the governor."


    It didn''t take long before the governor stood beside her. But unlike her, who stood free, he was cuffed and chained to make sure that he wouldn''t escape their grasp.


    "Abraham should have told you everything you need to say. I hope you''ll do your part." Lace said to the governor, who merely looked at her and turned his attention to the town.


    After some time, he nodded at the dragoness, epting what he was told to do.


    Seeing the eptance of the governor, Lace merely furrowed her eyebrows and decided to drag him to the front gates of the town. It only took a minute for her to arrive in front of the town of Servusarator with the governor beside her.


    The guards manning the front gates of the town were shocked, along with the knights who were preparing for battle. After all, before the gates was the governor of Servusarator.


    "The colonial governor is alive!" A guard shouted, causing amotion in the front gates. The captain and war master of the expansionary battleship got into the walls and observed the governor in the distance.


    "It seems that them using the governor for their ns were true." The captain muttered under his breath while the war master nodded in agreement.


    With the guards of the local garrison observing him, the governor stepped forward while thinking about the words he needed to utter to the remaining garrison. It was to peacefully surrender to the United Navy to avoid bloodshed.


    In this way, he could guarantee their survival and also his. But as he thought about it, even though he wanted to save his life, he didn''t wish to tarnish himself as a coward.


    So, he became determined.


    Looking at his men, the governor clenched his fist as he knew he would regret what he was about to say. But for the sake of Servusarator, it must be done.


    They needed to fight against these invaders and reim theirnds from the rebels.


    "My soldi-" Unfortunately, however... The governor couldn''t continue speaking as he felt a pale hand over his throat. It was soft and warm, yet cold and damning. It was none other than death.


    If he dared to conceive his n, he shall die in the most painful death possible. Despite regaining his confidence and bidding into his newfound bravery, death was something the governor couldn''t fight against.


    No matter how much he desired to not be considered as a coward. He wanted to live above all else.


    So, out of fear for his life, the governor lost his courage.


    "My soldiers... Surrender yourselves to the United Navy and they shall give us mercy."


    "If we continue this farce, the town will be burned asunder and bloodshed will entrench itself to Servusarator. For our people and future, we musty down our arm-" Sadly, once again, the governor couldn''t continue.


    An arrow was shot from the walls by an archer, piercing his chest.

 Chapter 101: | 101 | War For Liberation Part 20: Battle of Servusarator(I)

    In the bridge of the capital battleship, Trinity of Sce, the fleet admiral read through the reports of what had happened in the front gates of the fortified town, Servusarator. It was a piece of bad news regarding the diplomatic failure of their strategy.


    The governor of the ntation colony, during his speech to make his men surrender, died from getting shot by an archer on the high walls of the town. An arrow pierced through his chest, making the medical personnel unable to save him.


    "This is troublesome, to think that the governor died," Abraham muttered after reading through the file report. But he wasn''t that bothered by it. In all actuality, the governor could have been saved by Lace. After all, she was the dragoness.


    But perhaps there was a reason why she didn''t save him. He''d have to ask about itter. However, for now, he needed to handle what was toe next after the diplomatic failure.


    The local garrison had already uttered their stance on the subject matter. They would be fighting for their own town and would be willing toy their lives for it.


    Though... They weren''t the ones that the United Navy considered troublesome.


    Currently, the field between the Marine Vanguard Forces and the town of Servusarator was tense. A battle might erupt in a minute, and it would be bloodshed for both sides. Especially if the variables hadn''t been evacuated.


    What he meant was... The civilians.


    "The civilians of the town hadn''t been evacuated yet and are still residing in their homes. With a poption of over ten thousand, it would be difficult for the Marines to fight without causing some civilian casualties. And civilian casualties aren''t good." Abraham uttered with furrowed eyebrows.


    "Correct, an urban war would be devastating for both our forces and theirs. But they seem adamant in fighting, perhaps they don''t care about their lives." Charlotte stood beside the fleet admiral and remarked.


    "I don''t care about what they think. If we pummel the town into rubble, it would burn the bridge between us and humanity. We need to conquer the town without it burning asunder." Abraham expressed his annoyance at the matter.


    "Hmm... How about sending the Special Response Unit? This circumstance appears to be up to their alley." Vice Admiral Charlotte suggested, making Abraham raise his eyebrows.


    That was a good idea. With their capabilities, they might be able to behead the leadership of the local garrison, dampening the town''s defensive capabilities by a wider margin.


    "That''s a good proposal. Please call the second inmand of the Special Response Unit. I need to have a talk with their lieutenant." Abraham nodded in satisfaction and turned his head towards themunication operator, giving her orders.


    Themunication operator nodded at her fleet admiral and immediately opened a transmission to the Special Response Unit. The electronics inside the bridge buzzed and hummed before a voice came out.


    *This is Second Lieutenant Mercedes, what are the orders?*


    The aloof words of the wolf beastfolk girl resounded in the ears of themunication operator. The operator squinted her eyes and swiftly ryed the orders of the fleet admiral to the second lieutenant.


    "The fleet admiral wishes to talk to the lieutenant."


    Hearing the words of themunication operator, Mercedes was a bit surprised. But the edges of her lips rose as it appeared that their fleet admiral would be sending them to another mission. It filled her with honor to be of use to the fleet admiral.


    *I shall do so.* Mercedes responded and themunication operator was then met with silencesting ten seconds. Afterward, a soft yet proud voice escaped themunication radio.


    *Abraham, what can I do for you.* Themunication operator had already connected the transmission to the main array, so the words of the lieutenant echoed throughout the bridge.


    "I didn''t want to mobilize you after sending you out to take care of the governor''s manor. But it seems that the situation has worsened. The Marine Vanguard Forces cannot begin their attacks without causing damning casualties to the civilian poption inside the town."


    "So... We want your Special Response Unit to take out their leadership. Can you do it?" Abraham inquired, wanting to know if Lace was confident at the task he was giving to her.


    *My unit should be able to do it. But getting two missions in one mission...* Lace said with a pitiful voice as though she was being overworked by her boss. Abraham couldn''t help but facepalmed and asked.


    "What do you want?" For some reason, after uttering such words, he could feel her giggling on the other side. He merely shook his head, thinking that it was his imagination, and waited for her response.


    *How about a date? And you''ll be the one spending.*


    Abraham was astounded by the suggestion of the dragoness, but he failed to hide his smile, which was obvious for everyone to see. Charlotte shook her head as the fleet admiral was too obvious.


    "Ehem... I''ll think about it." He coughed and replied to the lieutenant, who merely smiled on the other side as it was enough for her.


    The reason why she wanted to have a date was because of her fellow soldiers discussing it. It seems to be an event where one would take someone out to a restaurant of some sort to eat. And there were a lot of things she wanted to eat.


    Other than that, she also desired to have some time with Abraham.


    After all, it has been a while since they spent time with one another.


    *That''s good enough. I''ll take care of the town of Servusarator, so wait for your good news.* Lace responded to Abraham and continued. *Also, be careful, Abraham. The fleet of Principatus Humanum might emerge on the shores of the colony.*


    *It will be a full-blown naval battle.*


    Hearing the warning of Lace, Abraham nodded in understanding and replied. "I''ll take our warning to heart, Lace. You as well should be careful out there."


    *Thank you, Abraham.* Lace softly uttered and the transmission was cut.


    Silence shrouded the bridge as every naval personnel stared at their fleet admiral who was silent. When he noticed their eyes, all of the naval personnel swiftly pointed their attention to what they were doing and pretended that nothing happened.


    "It seems that fleet admiral enjoyed the talk with the lieutenant," Charlotte remarked with a smile while Abraham whistled, pretending to not hear anything from her.


    It has been a while since the moment he freed Lace from her shackles in that damnable merchant ship. And their rtionship was more or less anchored somewhere.


    They weren''t in that kind of rtionship yet despite the ever-growing interactions. Their duty as the fleet admiral and lieutenant of the United Navy was impeding any signs of growth in their rtionship, which was truly disappointing.


    After all, Abraham wasn''t ignorant of Lace''s exploits throughout the United Navy.


    Whether it''d be the creation of the Special Response Unit, the improvement of rtions between beastfolk and humans in the Port of Dawn, and the sess of various operations that could have brought massive casualties.


    He could only sight to himself and hoped that things calm damn for the sake of the two of them.


    "At any rate, let''s continue with our discussion," Abraham said and opened another file report.


    Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the town, Servusarator. The Marine Vanguard Forces had entrenched themselves and awaited further orders from the highmand. Almost the entirety of the ind had been conquered by the United Navy, and they were in the process of stabilization.


    Sadly, however. There was the thorn, consisting of the town of Servusarator and its remaining colonists. As long as they remained on the ind, the influence of the Colonial Dominion of Terra perpetuated all throughout itsnd.


    If they wished to liberate the Minokin tribe and theirnd, the colonists would have to leave the ind and never return.


    Somewhere in the encampment of the Marines, most of the superior officers in Operation Phantom Liberation were gathered together for a meeting. It was mostly about the task ordered by the fleet admiral.


    "You''re saying that the fleet admiral wants you to take care of the local garrison''s leadership?" Lieutenant Colonel Aqu questioned with raised eyebrows.


    "Yes, Abraham wants the Special Response Unit to partake in the mission." Lace nodded with a smile, not bothered by the intricacies of the uing mission.


    "That isn''t a bad idea. With the leadership gone, they wouldn''t be able to defend the town to their maximum capabilities. We can also call for their surrender, and no one would be bothering to stop it."


    "But... The problem of this matter isn''t about the effectiveness of this mission. It is primarily about whether the SRU can handle such a mission or not." Lieutenant Colonel Aqu expressed his thoughts about the matter.


    "I can vouch for the capabilities of my unit, Lieutenant Colonel. There''s a reason why the fleet admiral specifically called for us to do such a task. Otherwise, he would have called anyone else, no?" Lace uttered with a soft yet determined voice.


    Lieutenant Colonel Aqu merely looked at the golden eyes of the dragoness for a moment before nodding at her in understanding. "I supposed you have a point."


    "Thank you for your trust, Lieutenant Colonel."


    "Anyhow, the Special Response Unit will be leaving in half an hour. The faster we handle the town. The better our circumstance will be." Lace stood up and walked out of themand tent, heading to the gathering tents of her unit.

 Chapter 102: | 102 | War For Liberation Part 21: Battle of Servusarator(II)

    In the barracks of the town of Servusarator, the leadership of the local garrison gathered together for a meeting about what had recently happened in the front gates of the town. After all, what had happened was something they couldn''t ignore.


    "The governor just died and it was one of our own that killed him." One of the knights muttered with a cold expression and continued. "Even if he was spreading the words of our adversaries, we didn''t have the right to kill him."


    "The fact that a colonial governor died by our hands means that we will be responsible."


    "Even if we survive our current circumstance, the Albion Empire will start an investigation into his death. Perhaps, the Inquisition would also be mobilized." The words of the knight caused the atmosphere in the meeting room to tense.


    "How about we throw the responsibility of his death to the United Navy? Wouldn''t it be better if the governor was known to have died in the hands of the United Navy?" Another knight suggested, causing the war master to shake his head in rejection of the idea.


    "No matter how much we use the United Navy of killing him. The interrogation methods of the Inquisition are remarkable. What had happened was seen by every guard in this town, and it was clear that it was one of ours that killed the governor."


    "It wouldn''t take long before the inquisitorse knocking on our doors." The war master understood the capabilities of the Inquisition. It wasn''t to be underestimated.


    The Inquisition was a branch of the Magus Tower that would investigate and gather intelligence throughout the world. Whether it was interior or exterior investigations, the Inquisition would always have their hand on the matter.


    The death of a colonial governor was a serious matter. Especially if the colonial governor belonged to the Albion Empire and was part of the governance authority in the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    It would have been better if the United Navy killed the governor themselves, but unfortunately, that wasn''t what had happened.


    "What happens to the perpetrator of the assassination?" The captain questioned the knights, wondering what had happened to the archer that brought them this troublesome situation.


    "Imprisoned in the dungeon, Captain. The archer was maddened, repeating the word traitor. I would have wished to separate myself from this archer. But sadly, we are responsible for his actions." A burly knight responded to the captain.


    "I see... However, instead of discussing the maddened one. Let us turn our attention to the United Navy and our situation." The captain decided to change the subject since they were still under the predatory gaze of their adversaries.


    Hearing the words of the captain, the knights, and the war master nodded in agreement. Even though the matter of the mad archer was important, they needed to survive to worry about its consequences.


    "Good," The captain gave a nod of satisfaction and continued. "Now that we have killed their speaker. That would mean that negotiation had fallen between us and them."


    "Were we even nning to negotiate?" A knight inquired, wanting to know the thoughts of the captain about the negotiation. Obviously, the United Navy would ask them to surrender.


    "Naturally, we don''t. Negotiation against our adversaries would stain our code of honor. They have invaded ournd and we will not stop defending until they leave our shores." The captain didn''t n to negotiate with the United Navy.


    In his eyes, they were invaders. Even if they had the Dragon on their side and had full control of advanced technology, the courage of humanity wasn''t to be underestimated. Despair wouldn''t be enough to break their wills.


    "Since we have no n to negotiate with the United Navy, how about we talk about our ns against them? The siege is practically confirmed. The question is when it would start and where." The war master spoke to the knights and captain with wisdom.


    "The capabilities of the United Navy aren''t to be underestimated. There''s a reason why they conquered most of the ntation colony overnight and it wasn''t only the Dragon that amount to that conclusion."


    "Their operatives are highly dangerous. Wyvern camps throughout the ind were destroyed, along with barracks burned into rubble by their firepower." The war master wanted them to understand the power of the United Navy.


    "Sooner orter, we will be fighting in the streets of Servusarator. None of our fellow men have been evacuated yet. I believe we need to do so to avoid puddles of blood scattering throughout our pavements." He proimed to the others with a determined voice.


    He wanted the civilians of the town to evacuate so that they wouldn''t be in the middle of a crossfire between the local garrison and the United Navy. Besides, the local garrison wouldn''t be able to defend properly with civilians on the way.


    "Evacuating them would be troublesome. We would have to relocate a significant number of our guards to guide the evacuation. Not only that, I believe that they should fight with us. For Servusarator, and its glory." A knight expressed his thoughts, earning the frown of the war master.


    The first words of the knight were sensible, but hisst words weren''t something that the war master agreed to do. However... It appears that most of the men in the meeting room were in agreement with the knight.


    This made him sigh in disappointment, but there was nothing he could do about it.


    ''This wouldn''t do good for the local garrison, but they are blinded by their pride as knights.'' The war master quietly thought to himself, though such thoughts never escaped his mind.


    The discussion between the leadership of the local garrison continued until they were interrupted by a guard entering the meeting room with a frantic expression. He was breathing heavily as though he had run from death to get here.


    "What happened!?" One of the knights questioned as he stood up from his chair. The guard soon regained himself and looked at the people inside the meeting room. Hope lit up inside his eyes as he immediately reported the situation.


    "We have a problem! Intruders have gotten inside the barracks!" The guard said with terror in his voice. He remembered his colleagues falling one after another after a thunderous shot resounded from behind.


    "Has the front gate fallen!? How have the messengers not reported this to us!?" Another knight stood up, mming his fist on the table.


    "It''s impossible for the front gate to fall without causingmotion and chaos throughout the town. The intruders must be infiltrators." The war master uttered, calming the knights surrounding the round table.


    The captain also sighed in relief as he thought that the front gate of the town had fallen to the control of the United Navy. If they were attacked in such an unprepared state, it would have been devastating for them.


    "But why are they infiltrating the barracks? Who are their targets?" A knight questioned since he found it confusing for a group of infiltrators to enter deep inside enemy territory. It was practically suicide, unless...


    "The targets are us, and the infiltrators must be the group that conquered the entirety of the governor''s manor. It seems that the United Navy has sent their best to bury us." The war master wryly smiled as the walls and ground shook.


    *BOOM!!!*


    An explosion reverberated throughout the barracks while the screams of the guards echoed throughout the halls. Dust shrouded the entrance of the meeting room before a single guard ran out from it with horror stered on his face.


    However, the escaping guard couldn''t keep running as a gunshot sounded from behind.


    *Bang!*


    He fell to the ground with a thud as blood dripped from the hole in his head. The guard who reported the situation crawled away from the entrance of the meeting room in horror as silhouettes formed from it.


    On the other hand, the knights prepared themselves and armed their swords forward. It was obvious. Their enemies were now before them, and they would have to fight if they desired survival.


    The war master and the captain were at the very back of the room, watching the entrance of the meeting room. The captain was preparing himself for the worse, while the war master activated various runic spells scattered throughout the meeting room.


    "It looks like we wouldn''t be there to see the victory of Servusarator." The captain mumbled, causing the knights and war master to nce at him. They understood that his words were the truth to their circumstance.


    But they weren''t willing to go down without a fight.


    They''d rather die fighting than cowering themselves and begging for mercy from their adversaries.


    The dust outside the meeting room slowly cleared out and a white-haireddy soon emerged from it. With jet-ck horns and a dark tail followed by luminous golden irises with slitted pupils, it was clear who it was.


    "The Dragon of the United Navy, Lace. They actually sent a dragon to assassinate someone." The war master couldn''t stop himself from wryly smiling. One would expect for a force to use a dragon as a weapon of mass destruction.


    To think that the United Navy would give it a job of assassination.


    The knights held tightly to their swords, not wanting to let their own weapons go.


    As the dragoness stepped forward, she looked at the men in the meeting room with a smile on her face. Her golden irises observed them with their faded radiance. It was as though death itself had knocked on their doorstep.


    "All of you must be the leadership of the local garrison." She softly uttered, maintaining her tranquil smile.

 Chapter 103: | 103 | War For Liberation Part 22: Battle of Servusarator(III)

    Beside the white-haired dragoness standing at the entrance of the meeting room were two dark-suited soldiers armed with SA-58 assault rifles. They swiftly pointed their barrels at the knights and fired without hesitation or dy.


    *BRRrrrrrtttt!* *BRRRRrrrrrtttt!*


    In mere moments, a barrier formed between the knights and the dark-suited soldiers. This protected the knights from ill-fated deaths, causing relief to swallow their shoulders.


    Unfortunately, however... The rifles held by the soldiers weren''t to be underestimated.


    *BBBRRRRRRTTTTT!*


    The dark-suited soldiers kept firing at the barrier with no intention to stop. Their assault rifles were equipped with drum magazines, giving them a greater amount of ammunition they could pour out from their arsenal.


    The runic barrier created by the runes of the war master glowed in brilliance. The war master noticed that it was about to break and shouted at the captain. "Get down!"


    Hearing the words of the war master, the captain got down to the floor and immediately hid behind surrounding desks in the meeting room. At that moment, the runic barrier cracked and the lead hail of bullets went through.


    The meeting room was devastated as everything above the waist height was gunned down. The knights who were relieved, met an unfortunate fate of having their bodies be filled with bullet holes.


    Only two of the people inside the meeting room survived. The war master and the captain of the expansionary battleship of Principatus Humanum.


    The war master nced at the corpses left behind by the attack of the dark-suited soldiers. The frozen and horrified expression of the guard especially struck him with deep-seated terror.


    He was already aware of the capabilities and power of the United Navy. But to be directly affected made him realize how devastating they really were.


    If they continued their foolish thoughts of holding out against a siege of the United Navy, all of them would have been massacred and left for dead on the streets of Servusarator.


    With this in mind, the somewhat terrified war master reached a sensible conclusion.


    They never stood a chance.


    There was no use in fighting against them.


    It seems that he finally understood the feelings and thoughts of the governor. Perhaps, the governor understood the devastation the United Navy was capable of, or he merely wanted to save his own skin.


    Though... Regardless of what the governor thought. It didn''t matter to the war master as he nned to do the same.


    "That''s how you cut off the head of the snake." Lace softly muttered with a smile on her face as she looked at the destruction before her. The round table was filled with bullet holes while the floor was littered with corpses.


    But before she could continue thinking about the obliteration of the meeting room, a figure stood up in the middle of the mess.


    To be honest, she thought that he would try pretending dead in order to live. However, it looks like he has another idea in mind.


    "We surrender, Dragoness Lace." The war master raised his hands while gazing at the dragoness with determined eyes. They needed to surrender to avoid a massacre from taking ce inside the town of Servusarator.


    Lace raised an eyebrow, surprised by the surrender of the war master. The edges of her lips rose as she questioned the surrendering man. "What makes you think that we will ept a surrender?"


    The war master furrowed his eyebrows after hearing such words. Surrendering only works if their adversaries want them to surrender. But he was confident that the United Navy wanted them to surrender.


    Otherwise, the United Navy would have pummeled the town into rubble.


    A victory won without pulling a trigger was the greatest victory one could ever have gotten.


    A saying of the elves, perhaps the United Navy acts with the same principles.


    "Lady Lace, the code of war requires us to ept surrendering enemies. We can''t kill a surrendering enemy as it would be considered a war crime." Behind the dragoness, Mercedes stepped forward and uttered to her lieutenant.


    Lace nced at Mercedes, understanding her reason. She then looked at the war master as though she had lost her prey and sighed.


    "You have a point. I don''t want my date with Abraham to be dyed or interrupted because of some war crime." She didn''t want to bother with the intricacies of the United Navy.


    And she wasn''t against it, let the United Navy have a useful prisoner of war. With the knowledge that the war master had in magicraft, he might be able to help the navy in its advancements in the line of magicraft.


    "But what about your captain, War Master?" Lace squinted her eyes as if she would behead the war master the moment he decided to act rashly.


    Sensing the agreement to their surrender, the war master nced at the desks where the captain hid and called out. "Captain, let us surrender to the United Navy."


    "We need to stop this futile battle."


    For a moment, no one responded. But after a couple of seconds, the captain got out of his hiding ce and raised his hand like the war master. He looked at the Special Response Unit and lowered his head after sensing the gaze of the dragoness.


    "I surrender."


    With that, the leadership of the local garrison fell. The barracks were burning asunder while the guards of the local garrison were in chaos. The chain ofmand fell, so it was hard for the guards to maintain their calm.


    Mercedes took out a radio from her pocket and called for the Marine Vanguard Forces. The hissing of the radio echoed before a voice escaped its confines.


    *Report?*


    "Mission Sess... The head of the snake has been cut off. Begin the forward phase and start the siege." Mercedes calmly reported and ensued for the next and final phase of the operation to begin.


    *Affirmative, the Marine Vanguard Forces will be heading out.*


    After the confirmation from the other side, Mercedes closed the radio and turned her attention to the window. The sceneries of the town of Servusarator were seen. Hundreds of medieval buildings housing people, scattered like trees in a forest, it was quite a sight.


    Entirely different from the Port of Dawn.


    Meanwhile, in the skies above the town of Servusarator¡­


    Various helicopters flew inside the town, hovering above important and strategic locations scattered throughout the colonial settlement. From the helicopters were Marines dropping in and taking over their designatednding point.


    The local garrison guards could only look up and see several giant metallic birds transporting their enemies into critical infrastructure. And there was nothing they could do about it.


    The defenders of the town of Servusarator were already embroiled in chaos due to the fall of the leadership and the barracks they resided in. So, their defensive capabilities were far from theirplete potential.


    As the Marines took over the strategic targets of the town such as the port, front gates, towers, and walls in masse, the ground forces also rolled in from the opened iron gates of the town.


    Tanks, a dozen of armored vehicles, and hundreds of Marines rolled in. The guards had no chance and were promptly killed. Some surrendered upon seeing that there was no chance while others ran for their lives and deserted their posts.


    The civilians hid themselves deep inside their homes while tanks and armored vehicles rumbled in the outside. The Marines would kick open the door and check the interior of various buildings whether they contained deserters or not.


    If there were, the deserters would be dragged out. If not, the civilians would be left alone as the Marines continue on their way.


    A number of guards wanted to fight against the Marines but were immediately dealt with by the helicopters scouting the heavens for any leftovers from the local garrison.


    Everything practically felt, and none of the colonists could mount a tinge of resistance against the Marine Vanguard Forces.


    Not only that but the port of Servusarator was also captured. The expansionary battleship was set aze by its crew and scuttled so as to not let their adversaries steal it from them. The crew also fought against the Marines but were utterly defeated.


    By the end of the battle inside the port of Servusarator, only a third of the crew remained.


    And so, the conclusion was pretty clear.


    The town of Servusarator had fallen into the hands of the United Navy and its defenders were defeated. The remaining guards of the local garrison were gathered together in the main square while civilians were advised to stay in the confines of their homes.


    It didn''t take long for the Marine Vanguard Forces to take over the town of Servusarator. After conquering its key points and strategic locations, the town was practically under their control.


    The war master and the captain were dragged away from the barracks by the Special Response Unit. As they observed the streets, they realized that the town wasn''t in utter devastation as there was no heavy resistance from the guards.


    But itpletely regressed from its former glory.


    The streets were empty of people while Marines monitored and patrolled the streets.


    The war master was shocked as he couldn''t believe that all of this had happened in half an hour.


    The efficiency of the United Navy wasn''t to be underestimated. However, it might also be because of the chaotic local garrison which couldn''t perform any defensive measures against the invading enemies.


    "It shouldn''t be much of a surprise." The war master could hear the voice of the captain behind him. He turned his eyes towards the captain, who continued. "There was no defense, so they practically pierced through like hot knight through butter."


    And his words didn''t end there.


    "Perhaps, even if we made some effort in our defensive measures"


    "We still wouldn''t stand a chance."

 Chapter 104: | 104 | War For Liberation Part 23: Battle of Servusarator(Finale)

    Inside the bridge of the capital battleship of thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus. Abraham read through the new reports transmitted by the Marine Vanguard Forces. And from the looks of it, they had won the battle of Servusarator.


    The Marine Vanguard Forces steamrolled through the defensive fortifications of the town after the Special Response Unit took out the leadership of the local garrison. The guards couldn''t mount a proper defense against the Marines, causing them to bepletely defeated half an hourter.


    It was practically aplete victory for the United Navy.


    But that didn''t mean that they had no price to pay.


    ording to the report, a single Marine got KIA''d during the intrusion of the municipal hall and the interior walls of the town. As the Marines were pushing through enclosed space, some Marines were unlucky enough to be ambushed by the maddened guards.


    Other than the Marine that died, there were also two that got injured by a spear and an arrow respectively.


    The news of the death caused the fleet admiral to frown. He understood that it wasn''t possible to eradicate casualties during battle, but that didn''t make it less tasteless nheless.


    "I guess we should host a funeral for the Marine." Abraham sighed to himself and continued reading through the report presented by the vice admiral beside him.


    The next lines in the report were primarily about the captured prisoners of war. But what interested him the most were two individuals amongst the list of recorded names. ording to the list, they were the captain and the war master of the expansionary battleship.


    The fact that they were captured instead of killed was a piece of good news. The United Navy was dwindling its treasure troves of intelligence, so they needed more to keep their information up to date. These two practically appeared at the perfect time.


    Not only that, there was also the identity of the war master, which could help them in researching the subject of magicraft. Though... The problem of whether or not he wouldply and assist the R&D Department of the United Navy was another aspect the fleet admiral had to tackle.


    But there were many ways to make an individual give his ord. Perhaps, Lace has the skills to make the war master assist them in their research efforts. Nevertheless, this was for the future him to handle.


    Another segment of the report was the Minokin tribe. With the help of the so-called Warchief, the United Navy identified over four to five thousand Minokins in the ntation colony. A fairlyrge number, but an understandable one.


    All of the captured Minokins practically got dragged into the ntation colony of Servusarator to be enved by its colonists and assist them in the ntations scattered throughout the ind.


    However, the numbers also pose a problem. Unlike before when the United Navy saved over a hundred beastfolk ves, the Minokin tribe was more or less intact, making them somewhat difficult to handle.


    There was also the consideration, questioning whether the Minokin tribe should be assimted into the newly established town of the Port of Dawn.


    While he would like them to join their town, he understood that the great numbers of the Minokin would create an imbnce in the beastfolk poption. Though... The problems of the Minokin tribe didn''t have to be taken care of now.


    There was still time left, and the liberation of the ntation colony was far from over.


    At any rate, the report about the conclusion of Operation Phantom Liberation was lengthy, but detailed. It made the fleet admiral understand the situation in the field despite not being actually in it.


    ''Before I tackle the problems recorded in the file, I should consolidate the navy''s power and authority over the ind.'' Abraham thought to himself as he was confident that the Colonial


    Dominion of Terra wouldn''t take this liberation well.


    They would probably send their navy, army, and the expansionary fleet, Principatus Humanum to reim the lost colony of Servusarator.


    Since the United Navy had liberated the ind from its colonial overlords, it was their duty to make sure that it stayed liberated over a period of time. They simply couldn''t retreat and watch as the Colonial Dominion of Terra took over the ind once again.


    However, staying and defending the ind poses a troublesome situation for the United Navy.


    Instead of being on the offensive, they would be on the defensive. This course of action would be costly for the naval organization, and there was also the maritime protection of the Port of Dawn.


    "This is a problem of conquering a territory. Our forces get split up trying to defend every single one of them." Abraham muttered under his breath while Charlotte raised an eyebrow and remarked.


    "To be not on the defensive, fleet admiral, is to stay on the offensive." Her remark was painfully obvious. Every nation throughout various wars from several eras never stopped in one territory. They continue on the other so that the former would stay protected while they take more.


    It was a simple logic.


    The question was whether or not the United Navy could support such an endeavor. It would be costly to their logistics if they ever dared to continue warring against the Colonial Dominion of Terra without resting.


    There was also the stamina of the Marines that they needed to take care of. They simply couldn''t keep sending the Marines into battle. They would sooner orter copse from mental exhaustion.


    "I understand that, Charlotte. But the question is, should we?" As he had said before, should they stay on the offensive instead of calming things down? Well, no matter how much he tried to question it, the answer was clear.


    Charlotte only smiled at the fleet admiral, who sighed upon meeting her determined gaze. While he thought that it was a bad idea as they might be chewing more than they could handle, he also understood that offense was the greatest defense.


    As if responding to his thoughts, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    Abraham raised his eyebrows as the only time it rang was when the deration of war was dered and Operation Phantom Liberation was created. Either the mission waspleted, or perhaps a sub-mission emerged.


    Fortunately, however... It seems to be the former.


    ¡ñ| Operation Phantom Liberation(Liberation Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Operation Phantom Liberation Completion Requirements(Liberation of Servusarator) |


    ?| 98% Territory Liberated!(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    It has been a while since he received a sub-mission reward from the Naval Gacha System. So, the notifications bombarding his head were a wee one as they might assist him in their offensive ns of action.


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd! You havepleted a Sub-Mission dered by the Naval Gacha System Apparatus, Systema! |


    | Rewards will be given promptly in 3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | You have obtained 2,500 Naval Points(Naval Action Rewards) |


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the northern seas of the sea region of Terra. A fleet of five expansionary battleships was heading towards the ntation colony of Servusarator. They had previously received a distress call regarding a rebellion and an infiltration of UN forces in the colony.


    While they could have activated their spatial transmission array to arrive instantly at the ntation colony, they were sadly met with a turbulent storm that practically left them stranded in the northern seas during the entire night.


    After the storm calmed down, they wanted to immediately activate their spatial transmission array.


    However, upon trying to contact the ntation colony, no response returned.


    This forced the fleetmander to withhold the spatial transmission and call for assistance from the main fleet. After all, the situation in the ntation colony of Servusarator might be far from simple.


    *Fleet Commander, has the storm calmed down in your area?* The voice from the runicmunicator questioned. The fleetmander took a deep breath and responded to the voice.


    "The storm has calmed down, Sir."


    *Well, then... Have you arrived at your destination?* The strange voice inquired once again, while the fleetmander earnestly replied.


    "No, Sir. The ntation colony hasn''t given any response from our runic transmissions. I believe that we have lost the colony." The fleetmander was cautious. The moment the ntation colony didn''t reply, he immediately thought of the colony''s defeat.


    *Hmm... The ntation colony of Servusarator cannot be lost, Fleet Commander. But... The loss of five expansionary battleships can be damaging to the Colonial Dominion''s naval power.* Luckily for the fleetmander, the voice didn''t order them to go on a suicide mission.


    *However, the colony has a poption of over ten thousand subjects of the Albion Empire. We cannot simply abandon them. Try to contact the troublemaker and negotiate for their release.*


    *Otherwise, the Albion Empire will hold us responsible.* Hearing the orders of the voice, the fleetmander nodded and responded. "I shall do so, Fleet General."


    With that, the runicmunication between the two was cut off. The fleetmand sighed to himself as the safest sea region of Terra had be embroiled in a problematic situation. This kind of problem was something he expected in the Frontier.


    Not this far back in the territorial domain of humanity.


    But there was nothing he could do about it as it was the gears of destiny turning in a direction that shouldn''t have been possible. He could only adapt and try to survive for what was toe.


    "I hope that the United Navy will be open for negotiations." The fleetmander mumbled to himself before turning his head to his men. Without any further dys, he immediately ordered his war master.


    "Activate the spatial transmission array! Send us to the waters near the ntation colony."


    When the war master heard the orders of the fleetmander. The war master nodded and swiftly activated the spatial transmission array along with his fellow war masters.


    A gigantic radiant spell circle materialized in the heavens above the fleet and the spatial transmission began. The space around the expansionary battleships distorted as the waves became turbulent.


    Then... In an instant, the fleet of massive battleships disappeared.

 Chapter 105: | 105 | War For Liberation Part 24: The Hunter of the United Navy

    ''It has been a while...'' Abraham observed the digital window before him, presenting his current umted Naval Points. The amassed Naval Points were a lot for the fleet admiral


    With this amount of wealth, he could practically summon several Admiral-Gorshkov ss frigates further advancing the Red Fleet. But at that moment, Abraham had his attention pointed to something else.


    It was the Random Naval Spin, or Naval Gacha for short.


    Even though the warships under the control of the United Navy were versatile and powerful, they were far from enough to assist the naval force to be a major power in the region. He needed more, and he hoped to get an even more flexible warship.


    But he had a difficult time trying to continue with this decision of his. More ships didn''t mean that it would be better for the United Navy. And the docks of the Port of Dawn were at maximum capacity.


    The port wouldn''t be able to handle more warships.


    So, if he desired to summon more warships, he also needed to upgrade the Port of Dawn to handle the emergence of the spoken ships. This made him wonder if he should roll a Random Naval Spin or try upgrading the port.


    ''Systema, any thoughts about my problem?'' Inside his mind, Abraham decided to ask the assistance of his precious partner, Systema. It didn''t take long and a mechanical bell rang inside his mind, signifying a response.


    *Ding!*


    | The current naval power of the United Navy, although capable of standing on its own in the sea region, is far from dominating the sea. If the Fleet Admiral desires to increase the naval power of the United Navy to the next level, ess to more ships is required. |


    | Regarding the troubles of having too many warships, the Fleet Admiral can administer a ship rotation to make sure that the docks of the Port of Dawn aren''t always at maximum capacity. |


    | This would improve the efficiency of the logistics and will lower the pressure on the utility personnel in the Port of Dawn. |


    The response of Systema was long, but it was clear. Abraham understood what his precious partner meant, and her suggestion of a ship rotation was useful. Although it would be costly, this would advance the logistical level of the United Navy.


    After all, a ship simply can''t always stay in the docks. It needed to sail the seas, otherwise it might as well not be built.


    With this in mind, along with Systema''s response, Abraham determined his next step forward. The edges of his lips rose as he mumbled to himself.


    "Thank you for the suggestion, Systema." It was quiet, yet clear for the Fleet Admiral''s precious partner. Then, a monotone voice soon followed.


    | You''re wee, Fleet Admiral. d that I could help. |


    After hearing the monotone voice of Systema, Abraham turned his attention to the status screen before his jet-ck irises. Not much had changed, but it wouldn''t stay the same in the following moments.


    But before the fleet admiral could try summoning more warships through the Random Naval Spin, he needed to warn his naval personnel first. Otherwise, things would be troublesome.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte," Abraham called out, grabbing the attention of the beautifuldy beside him. Charlotte turned her grayish yet calm eyes to the fleet admiral, wondering what he wanted from her.


    "I''m about to summon a warship. I need you to warn the fleet about the emergence of a ship in the middle of the sea. I don''t want them attacking it, thinking that it''s an attack from the enemy." Abraham uttered to the vice admiral, who nodded in understanding.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. It shouldn''t take long for me to ry your orders." The fleet admiral summoning more warships was great news for the vice admiral. But obviously, she understood the intricacies that needed to be held before doing so.


    Their enemies were capable of teleportation, so thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus, might consider the newly-emerged warship as an attacking adversary.


    The vice admiral took off and called the intelligence officers, rying the orders of the fleet admiral. The intelligence officers did the same and transmitted the orders to the data link with the help of themunication operators.


    It didn''t take long before Charlotte returned, and saluted Abraham, before giving her report.


    "Fleet Admiral, the orders have been ryed and the fleet is aware of the summoning." Hearing her report, Abraham calmly nodded and closed his eyelids.


    Charlotte looked intently at the fleet admiral and thought that he was gathering his power to summon more of the United Navy into this foreign world. But sadly for her, she was wrong.


    Instead, Abraham thought of something else.


    ''RNG God... May my prayers be heard by you. Don''t give me something bad. As long as it can be useful, it''s enough.'' He was praying to his luck to be not bad. Otherwise, he would be punching air if he received a fishing boat out of nowhere.


    While it could be useful in supporting the economy, Abraham needed military and naval power before economic utilities.


    Abraham took his time and finally determined his heart. He opened his eyes with resolve and muttered inside his mind. ''Systema¡­ Buy your partner a Random Naval Spin.''


    It didn''t take a moment as a mechanical bell rang inside his mind once again.


    It was time.


    *Ding!*


    | Random Naval Spin Selected! |


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    Quite a while has passed since he had seen the gigantic floating wheel materializing before his eyes. Although his naval personnel couldn''t see it, Abraham felt that it was as real as the electronics surrounding him.


    At any rate, the gigantic floating wheel began rotating. At first, it was slow. But with time, it became faster. The arrow passed through several sses and types of ships as the wheel rapidly spun.


    Abraham''s heart was rapidly beating as he kept asking the RNG God to give him mercy. Anything useful for his current circumstance was enough. It didn''t need to be overpowered.


    The fleet admiral kept watching as the sses and types inside the floating wheel became blurry due to how fast it was spinning. Thoughts kept raging inside his head along with his hopes and dreams.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    ''Please give me something useful-'' Before Abraham could continue, he saw the arrow of the gigantic floating wheel point at something as the wheelpletely halted. He squinted his eyes while a notification rang inside his mind.


    | Congrattions! You have received (America-ss Landing Helicopter Assault)! |


    At first, he couldn''t believe what he was seeing. He rubbed his eyes as he thought that his mind hallucinating what was before him. But, it was the truth and reality.


    ''Oh, my... RNG'' During this very moment, Abraham wondered if he should build a religion surrounding the RNG God. To think that he would be blessed by such machinery. This made


    Abraham very ted, though, on the outside, he remained calm.


    It seems that his luck in this world had been blessed. Was this the second wish he picked? Great luck? Abraham wanted to chuckle, wondering if he was smart enough to pick a Gacha System with one wish and use another to increase his luck.


    ''Though... I highly doubt that. This isn''t a novel, after all.'' He shook his head and decided to return to reality. As he got out of his excited trance, the detailed information panel materialized before his eyes.


    ¡ñ| UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas|


    ?| The UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas is an America-ss Landing Helicopter Assault of the amphibious assault ships ssification. It is anding helicopter assault designed to transport the Navy and Marine Corps ashore in arger and longer range. |


    ?| Thending helicopter assault ship supports special aerial operations, air assault, air dominance, or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as a secondary aviation tform for amphibious-ready groups. |


    ?| The Jaeger of the Blue Seas has a massive discement of 46,000 long tons with a length of 257 meters and a beam of 21 meters. The LHA has a maximum speed of over 20 knots and a sizeableplement of 65 officers, and 994 enlisted personnel. The lightning carrier can also support a military force of 1,687 Marines. |


    ?| The LHA carries arge array of aircraft ranging from twelve MV-22B Ospreys. six F-35B Lightning II STOVL multirole jet aircraft, four CH-53K heavy transport helicopters, seven AH-1Z/UH-1Y attack/utility helicopters, and two Navy MH-60S Knighthawks for air-sea rescue. |


    ?| The main armaments of thending helicopter assault ship are its two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missileunchers, two Rolling Airframe Missileunchers, and two Phnx CIWS. It also has supporting arsenals such as three Mk 38 Machine Gun Systems and seven dual .50 caliber machine guns. |


    ?| And finally, it has a massive flight deck and a gigantic interior hangar deck for repairs and maintenance. |


    Reading through the detailed description of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, there was only one word inside Abraham''s mind. ''Wow''


    There wasn''t much he could say about it. It was better than the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, and it had six F-35Bs. This meant that he finally had jet aircraft under hismand.


    Not only that, but the LHA practically had a bigger army of Marines inside with the worth of two battalions. This aircraft alone had the capacity to conquer the ntation colony of Servusarator on its own.


    Though... This wasn''t the time to entertain his thoughts.


    Looking through the windows of the bridge, Abraham saw a golden light radiantly gleaming through the waters of the high seas. It glowed with unrivaled brilliance while the waters below it became turbulent.


    The golden light brought the attention of everyone in the sea. Charlotte looked at it with interest, wondering what warship would emerge from it.


    And her wonder was given an answer.


    As the golden radiant lights dimmed with time, what reced was a gigantic metallic silhouette with a length of 257 meters. It was massive, especially whenpared to the frigates surrounding it.


    In its hull was arge imprint of its name, UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    The hunter of the United Navy was finally born.

 Chapter 106: | 106 | War For Liberation Part 25: Negotiations

    Amidst western shores, the waters made way for a sharp metallic bow sailing through the turbulent seas. With a long and wide flight deck above its hull, it was gargantuan in the sea. Across the metallic hull was its name; UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    The newly-summoned warship of the United Navy was an America-ss Landing Helicopter Assault Ship, giving meaning to its massive size rivaling that of the UNS Trinity of Sce in length.


    Compared to the frigates of the fleet. It was foreboding and menacing. Like a hunter, or a floating building, with unrivaled firepower.


    Inside the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Abraham watched in amazement as the lightning carrier sailed beside them. It was unlike anything he had gained before. Which was understandable.


    After all, it was his first aircraft carrier.


    "Sir, the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas wishes to connect to the data link. They desire your permission." Amunication operator reported to the fleet admiral, bringing him out of his trance.


    Abraham regained his calm and quietly coughed before turning his attention to themunication who reported the newly-summoned warship''s transmission.


    "Let them connect to the data link." Hearing the words of the fleet admiral, themunication operator nodded in understanding and transmitted the response to the lightning carrier.


    *ZZzzzz...*


    The buzz of electronics and machines echoed throughout the bridge. However, the metallic hum ended when a voice escaped the confines of themunication apparatus.


    *Greetings, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. It is an honor to be a part of your fleet and naval force. I am Rear Admiral George of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. We await yourmand.*


    A gentleman''s voice was heard, and it came from the rear admiral who introduced himself as George. Abraham raised an eyebrow for a second before responding to the message.


    "Good to see you, Rear Admiral George. We concluded our military operations just now, but your presence is appreciated. Vice Admiral Charlotte will be briefing you on our circumstances in this foreign world."


    *Understood, Fleet Admiral. I will be hearing from the vice admiral about our situation.* With that, the transmission ended and silence returned to the bridge along with the singing of the machines.


    "Charlotte, you will be taking care of the briefing. I want you to summarize our situation from the beginning to the end. Make it so that it wouldn''tst too long." Abraham ordered the vice admiral beside him.


    "Affirmative, I will be heading to the Combat Information Center," Charlotte responded and saluted the fleet admiral before taking her leave to the COC.


    And so, Abraham was left alone on his own along with the naval personnel working in the bridge. He stood in silence while silently observing the lightning carrier and the horizon in front of them.


    Inside his mind were surging thoughts about the Jaeger of the Blue Seas. Even though it wasn''t a full-fledged carrier, but a special type of Amphibious Assault Ship. Compared to other carriers in his former world, it might as well be one.


    Along with twelve Ospreys, it had six F-35B Jets, four King Stallions, several Viper Attack Helicopters, and two Knight Hawks. Its air force wasn''t to be underestimated since it had the capability to rival a small nation on its own.


    Not only that, it also had two battalions worth of Marines inside of it and waiting for deployment. The forces that the United Navy could deploy in battlefronts practically increased two-fold.


    But numbers didn''t mean anything if they had no idea how to employ it.


    With this in mind, Abraham wondered if he should ce the UNS Light Bringer and the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas together. Using the defensive capabilities of the UNS Light Bringer, and the long-range assault capabilities of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    They would be a force to be reckoned with.


    Naturally, of course. There would be intricacies he needed to take care of regarding the creation of the second fleet. For now, the idea would have to stay in the back of his mind until the United Navy returned to the Port of Dawn.


    "Fleet Admiral, the briefing has concluded."


    Not realizing that time had passed by. Abraham''s thoughts were interrupted by the recently arrived Charlotte. He looked at her for a second and softly responded to the vice admiral. "Thank you, Charlotte."


    The vice admiral merely nodded in appreciation to his words and stood beside him. Abraham nced at Charlotte and couldn''t help but inquire. "So, what do you think about the rear admiral?"


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow but answered the question of the fleet admiral.


    "Rear Admiral George is a cold old man with a ck beard and dark hair. He''s about 51 years old and has a strategic mind. His loyalty is undeniable, but I advise the fleet admiral to meet him personally."


    Her words were honest and straightforward. Abraham could only nod in agreement while creating an image of the rear admiral inside his head. Obviously, though, he understood that he needed to personally meet with the old man.


    Abraham wanted to thank Charlotte, but before he could do so, an intelligence officer reported a disruption in a nearby maic field. A spatial distortion has also been detected through their drones.


    "Fleet Admiral, an enemy fleet has arrived!"


    When Abraham heard of the intelligence officer''s words. He didn''t hesitate and swiftly raised the rms of the fleet. "Get the fleetbat-ready! Prepare for battle."


    There was a reason why he didn''t hesitate for the United Navy to prepare themselves to fight against their iing adversaries. It was simply because the ind beside them was the former territory of the Colonial Dominion.


    Naturally, they would be here to take it back.


    "How many ships are in the enemy fleet?" Abraham questioned the intelligence officer, who swiftly replied. "Five enemy battleships are in the iing fleet, Sir."


    Five was a sizeable number, but it was something that they could handle.


    Thoughts raged inside his mind as this would be the first proper fleet-to-fleet naval battle since his arrival into this world. He didn''t know if he should feel excited, or the exact opposite.


    *ZZzzzz... I am the fleetmander of the vanguard fleet of the Principatus Humanum. I am here to express the desire for negotiation. I repeat! The fleet is under the intent of negotiation.* A voice echoed from the runicmunicator,ing from the adversary''s fleetmander.


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows, a bit confused by the words of the voice. He quickly signaled Charlotte to halt any attacks toward the iing fleet and responded to the runicmunicator.


    "This is the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd. Speak of this negotiation of yours." His resolute words resounded as he wouldn''t hesitate to destroy the fleet before his fleet.


    *The Colonial Dominion is negotiating for the release of civilians trapped in the town of Servusarator. Along with any captured soldiers belonging to the local garrison of the ntation colony.*


    Hearing the words of the enemy fleetmander, Abraham realized that this was an opportunity.


    While prisoners of war could be helpful in the development of the nned town beside the Port of Dawn, it would be too troublesome to keep them for an indefinite period of time.


    Though, obviously... He wouldn''t be releasing anyone that was a treasure trove for intelligence.


    "Affirmative, we''ll ept the negotiations." Abraham epted the negotiations for the prisoners of war and the citizens of the town of Servusarator. And so, it was time for the negotiations. He''ll let Charlotte handle this.


    He looked at Charlotte, while the vice admiral merely sighed and nodded at him.


    "I am Vice Admiral Charlotte of the United Navy. I will be handling the negotiations."


    With that, the negotiations for the prisoners of war and the civilians began. Charlotte opened with the price of the prisoners'' release. The United Navy wouldn''t release their prisoners without a price tag, otherwise the military operation would have been useless.


    Most of the things that Charlotte desired from the Colonial Dominion were artifacts rted to magicraft along with knowledge regarding magic. If the fleetmander could provide the artifacts and knowledge to the United Navy, the prisoners of war would be released.


    On the other hand, the civilians of the town of Servusarator were immediately sent to the fleet in front of them as the United Navy had no control over their movements.


    The fleetmander of the vanguard fleet epted the deal as knowledge and some artifacts of magicraft weren''t a big deal. In the foreign world, magic wasn''t forbidden knowledge. Instead, it was a power only a few could control.


    As long as they didn''t give special artifacts with great importance, it shouldn''t be much. The knowledge was also something that they could give. Basic knowledge about magicraft should satisfy the curiosity of these heretics.


    The negotiations ended great for both sides.


    The United Navy got the magic artifacts and magical knowledge while the Colonial Dominion got their important manpower.


    "We''ll end the negotiations here, fleetmander. The United Navy will deliver the prisoners of war to the northern seas where they will be picked up by your fleet. And while doing so, we expect you to maintain your side in the deal."


    "Otherwise, things will be bad for the both of us." Charlotte coldly warned before cutting the transmission between the bridge and the enemy fleet.


    After the negotiations, Charlotte sighed to herself while noticing the fleet admiral gazing at her with expectations and satisfaction. She could only sigh again as she shook her head and began discussing with the ted Abraham.


    Meanwhile, in the captain''s quarters of an expansionary battleship. The fleetmander ryed the negotiations to the Colonial Dominion. It seems that the voice from the other side was satisfied with the deal he had gotten.


    ''Why am I handling the negotiations?'' The fleetmander thought to himself as it should have been a diplomat in his ce negotiating with the heretics.

 Chapter 107: | 107 | Servusarators Liberation Aftermath

    A couple days have passed since the enactment of Operation Phantom Liberation. The newly-emerged naval force, the United Navy, through this operation managed the liberation of the ntation colony, Servusarator.


    Thus, freeing the Minokin tribe from their envement.


    After the liberation of Servusarator, the diplomatic talks between the Minokin tribe and the United Navy began. It was mostly about the procurement of the ind, Servusarator. And the ns for the future between the two forces.


    The Minokin tribe were from a farnd deep within the Frontier. They were enved there, and transported through various Colonial Dominions before arriving in the ntation colony, Servusarator.


    With this in mind, one can understand that the Minokin weren''t natives of the ind and were as eligible as the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy.


    Fortunately for the Minokin tribe, though... They weren''t chased off by the United Navy and forced to the chaotic seas of the Frontier. Instead, they were given the chance to stay and cultivate the ind for their own society.


    Naturally, it wasn''t without a price. The Minokin tribe now stood under the banner of the United Navy, subsequently being bounded by the authority of the UN High Command.


    An economic treaty was also made that the United Navy would have a 15% discount for all goods sold by the Minokin tribe. Which was a better deal in the eyes of the capitalistic fleet admiral and vice admiral.


    After all, a 15% discount might not seem much, but whenbined together with resource, economic, and logistics. It was something that couldn''t be underestimated.


    Other than the economic treaty, there was also an exchange of migration between the Servusarator; now known as the State of Minos, and the United Navy''s Port of Dawn. This was to further the rtionship between the two and improve cultural exchanges.


    It all began with the resignation of the former Warchief of the State of Minos, Espada. Along with him joining the United Navy to represent the Minokins in the naval organization. Many loyal Minokins followed him, ranging their numbers to a thousand.


    In simpler terms, there were now thousands of Minokins on the ind of Crescere.


    Such arge number simply couldn''t continue toy low and not do anything. With the help of First Lieutenant Campbell, many Minokins were employed in construction jobs in the developing town of Beastfolks and humans beside the Port of Dawn.


    The best warriors of the Minokins were employed in the United Navy, bing a part of the Special Response Unit, under themand of the newly-promoted Lieutenant Colonel Lace.


    Obviously, it would take time for the Minokins to bebat-ready. However, First Lieutenant Mercedes would be training them as fast as possible. She seems to have the confidence of Lace, which is something to be trusted.


    Returning back to the Servusarator, the State of Minos was under the state of economic building. With the protection of the United Navy, they could concentrate their poption on turning the State of Minos into an economic power.


    Through their vast ntations that could provide food, it wouldn''t take long before the State of Minos started exporting their products outward.


    But until then, they would have to construct their society under the directive of democracy and fair justice. This would prevent the State of Minos from bing a dictatorship or an authoritarian state.


    Though, perhaps... It would take some time for the Minokins to understand the concept of democracy and fair justice. But every society starts somewhere along the lines of advancement and growth.


    With their foundations built in the directive of democracy and fair justice, it would be hard for technological advancement and societal growth to corrupt the state.


    Nheless, speaking of exports and imports. The United Navy decided to create a merchantpany that would sail outward from the sea region of Terra and beyond. The merchantpany would help create customers or sellers for the United Navy and the State of Minos to rely on.


    But how could the United Navy do such a thing? Especially without any cargo ships?


    Well... The answer to that question was fairly simple.


    The Naval Gacha System.


    Abraham used his remaining Naval Points to summon another ship from the Random Naval Spin. What got out wasn''t a military warship, but a military-utility one instead.


    | Congrattions! You have received (Algol-ss Vehicle Cargo Ship)! |


    This was the ship that brought about the idea of creating a merchantpany for the United Navy.


    The UNS Wayward Son.


    The Algol-ss vehicle cargo ships, also known as Fast Sealift Ships, were the fastest conventional steam-powered ships in the former world capable of speeds in excess of 33 knots. This was in the description of the cargo ship.


    It was practically a fast cargo ship that could plow through waves, maintaining a constant speed of 33 knots regardless of weather. In the foreign world where many unknowns shrouded the waters, it was the perfect ship for the United Navy.


    The UNS Wayward Son had a discement of 55,000 tons followed by a length of 290 meters and a beam of 32 meters. The cargo ship could be operated by 43 civilians and 12 military technicians when fully operational or 18 civilians with reduced operation status.


    Naturally, these ships devour fuel like a pig of gluttony. But with its capabilities to deliver goods at constant rates regardless of abnormal conditions. It was a worthy price to pay.


    Most of all, the price of these ships was what made Abraham ept them as a part of the merchantpany''s fleet. A single one costs 100 Naval Points, meaning that with his remaining points, Abraham could purchase five.


    But for now, only one was needed for their operations. Without a route for trade, it would be foolish to send a fleet of merchant ships into the deep waters.


    Testing the seas of the foreign world was something Abraham desired to do, then unexpectedly hearing your merchant fleet sunk in the middle of the turbulent waters.


    There was also the price of operation of these fast sealift ships. While Abraham considered them worth it, the operational costs of these ships were too troublesome for the current United Navy.


    They would have to increase the numbers of their oil wells to meet the demands of a fleet of these fast cargo ships. But one would wonder, where was the UNS Wayward Son? Well, Abraham didn''t summon the cargo ship to be kept inside the docks.


    Obviously, he made the United Navy use it.


    In the northern seas, hundreds of kilometers away from the Port of Dawn, the United Navy''s Red Fleet dwelled before the vanguard fleet of Principatus Humanum. With the fleet were the capital battleship UNS Trinity of Sce, and the fasts sealift ship UNS Wayward Son.


    At the moment, the United Navy was handling the negotiated deal of the expansionary vanguard fleet and themselves.


    Beside the UNS Wayward Son were the wooden medieval ships captured from the port of the former Servusarator. Inside were the prisoners of war, ready to be transported to the vanguard fleet.


    Inmand of the UNS Trinity of Sce was currently the diplomat and the executive officer, Vice Admiral Charlotte. She had recently concluded the finishes of the deal and the exchange was about to start.


    The wooden merchant ship sailed onward, heading towards the gigantic UNS Wayward Son. On the other hand, the wooden medieval ships headed towards the expansionary vanguard fleet.


    The exchange between the two opposing naval forces went smoothly. The magical artifacts and books inside the wooden merchant ship were transported to the fast sealift ship. While the other side did the same.


    It didn''t take an hour for the diplomatic exchange to conclude. When the two sides got what they wanted. Only a tense atmosphere shrouded before the expansionary vanguard fleet announced their departure.


    This was the first trade between humanity and the United Navy.


    Inside the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Vice Admiral Charlotte silently stood and watched the vanguard fleet disappear in the expanse. The magical artifacts and books were already confirmed to be authentic. They also didn''t seem tampered with.


    It seems to be a delightful situation for the United Navy. But the vice admiral was far from trusting. The actions of the expansionary fleet Principatus Humanum were strange. Too strange as they weren''t as xenophobic as expected.


    This meant that the other side was nning to make a move. How? That was the question they needed to answer.


    But she wasn''t sent here to specte about the ns of the enemy. Charlotte transmitted a message to the fleet admiral and reported the sess of the diplomatic exchange.


    ''I hope that we will be ready against what they throw at us.'' She quietly thought to herself as a response from the fleet admiral swiftly echoed throughout the bridge.


    *Congrattions on your sess, Vice Admiral Charlotte. I advise you to return as fast as possible and send the artifacts and books to our R&D Department.* Hearing the words of the fleet admiral, Charlotte saluted and slightly bowed her head.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. It shall be done." The transmission between the two cuts as silence shrouded the bridge. The vice admiral softly breathes before turning her gaze to the bridge.


    Charlotte then ordered the naval personnel inside the bridge to send orders to the surrounding fleet. It was time for them to return to the Port of Dawn. The escort mission was a sess, and the diplomatic exchange had been aplished.


    There was no need for them to dwell in the northern seas.


    And so, the aftermath was peaceful, but will it continue as such?


    Only the future could tell.

 Chapter 108: | 108 | United Navys Greater Expansion

    Inside the fleet admiral''s office within the central branch building of the Port of Dawn, Abraham yawned while cing the file reports before him into the drawer beneath his desk. It has been a long day for the fleet admiral, and a week has passed since Operation Phantom Liberation.


    "Managing the entire Port of Dawn is bing troublesome." Abraham sighed to himself as this job was affecting him greatly. He would have to relocate some of his duties to other highmanding officers, so that he wouldn''t die from an unknown heart attack.


    Obviously, though, with his high physical capabilities, it was doubtful he could get a heart attack anytime soon.


    But it was better to not test destiny.


    ''I need to start hiring myself a secretary.'' The fleet admiral thought as he stood from hisfy chair. He stretched his arms upward and released a grunt from his crackling bones. It looks like spending hours sitting in a chair didn''t do good for his bones.


    "I really need a secretary," Abraham muttered as he took off his uniform and ced his peaked cap in the wardrobe. He wore his casual attire and immediately got out of his abominable office.


    Walking through the hallway, the personnel would salute him the moment they noticed his presence. He simply nodded at them and continued his way to the elevator.


    He was far different from before. The doubts inside his heart and mind had settled. His actions always uttered his confidence, which was understandable as it had been a while since his transmigration into this world.


    After riding an elevator heading to the ground floor, he listened to the tune in the background as the edges of his lips slightly rose. Ever since the liberation of Servusarator, things have been peaceful in the Port of Dawn.


    Perhaps, their capabilities and firepower made the other side cautious of them, prompting the peace. But he understood that it wasn''t permanent.


    Almost all of the highmanding officers in the United Navy were expecting a war in the horizon with the Colonial Dominion of Terra. With this in mind, the naval fleet inside the Port of Dawn was alwaysbat ready, regardless of the time period.


    ''That''s forter. No need to waste my brain cells until our meeting about the matter.'' Abraham shook his head and threw such thoughts to the back of his mind. It was useless to spend his precious mental power worrying about something.


    Instead, they should be nning how to prepare against the uing scenario of war with the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    The metallic doors of the elevator opened and the fleet admiral swiftly stepped out of it. He then found himself amidst a vast busy hall brimming with people and beastfolk alike.


    The branch building of the Port of Dawn had be the governing center of the ind. It practically became a city hall for the people of the United Navy.


    Abraham merely smiled at the busy scene since it reminded him of the peace that epassed the Port of Dawn. Quietly walking along with the busy people, the middle-aged man got out of the branch building and now found himself in the lively streets of the Port of Dawn.


    The loud noises followed by the roar of car engines resounded in the background. It was somewhat nostalgic as it made him recall the former modern world.


    He walked through the sidewalk while surrounding himself in the modern atmosphere of the Port of Dawn. While doing so, he remembered the current poption of the Port of Dawn or the United Navy as a whole.


    ording to the vice admiral, the current poption of the United Navy was at least 11,000 with the inclusion of the beastfolks. A fairlyrge number, which was why the Port of Dawn was expanding through the Town of Aurora.


    The Town of Aurora was arge and ever-expanding town containing both humans and beastfolk. Even at first, the integration of the two was hard because of the trauma that the beastfolk had. It didn''t take long for them to differentiate humans from one another.


    To the beastfolk, the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion of Terra were different from one another. The United Navy was their guardians, theirpanions, and their allies.


    Businesses have also been set up in the Port of Dawn. The current currency of the United Navy was the UN dor, which took time for the beastfolk to get used to. Naturally, they didn''t want to be closed off from foreign trade because of their currency, so they also epted gold.


    Anyhow, businesses in the Port of Dawn and the Town of Aurora were thriving. Because of the advancing economy, the United Navy would probably have to pass an economic charter to keep things from bing chaotic.


    The main focus would probably be to find a bnce between the free market and the regted market. This was to prevent businesses from going rogue and establishing uwful practices.


    But this was for Charlotte to handle, Abraham didn''t want to be bothered by such things.


    ''Without Charlotte, even with recovery, I would have gotten a heart attack by now.'' He quietly thought to himself while walking through the sidewalk. The vice admiral was amongst his treasured subordinates.


    If the dragoness could be described as his sword and shield, then the vice admiral was his body. She was working hard to make sure he himself could live another day in the ever-growing responsibilities as a fleet admiral.


    Speaking of the dragoness, he remembered the price she had given to him for the extra mission he had given. Quite a while had passed since then, perhaps she forgot about it.


    Though... Before the fleet admiral could continue with his thoughts, a soft voice sounded out from behind. It immediately attracted his attention, causing him to stop walking.


    "Oh, my... Is Abraham thinking about me?" Such a distinct teasing yet soft voice was something he could never forget. He slowly turned his head and saw a white-haireddy.


    She looked incredibly interesting in her casual attire. Her silver-white hair was strapped in a ponytail and her golden irises seemed to glow in a neon hue. Thebination of her body was akin to a heavenly sculpture, along with her ck horns and ck tail.


    He could only describe her with one word.


    "Beautiful."


    It took a moment for Abraham to get out of his trance. After regaining himself, he saw Lace smirking at him while cing her hand on her hips. It seems that he blurted something embarrassing to her.


    But he wasn''t that bothered by it. After all, he was a man and what had taken ce had already happened. There was nothing he could do to change it.


    So, instead of backtracking like a coward, he must move onward.


    "I stand by my word," Abraham uttered to the dragoness, who merely walked towards him with the same smirk as before. As the two got closer to one another, Lace softly whispered beside his ear.


    "You''re getting courageous by the day, Abraham." He could feel her breath, but the middle-aged man kept it in, not wanting to let the dragoness be satisfied with the tease.


    "But I like it." Lace''s smirk turned into a smile as she was confident of her beauty. Abraham''s reminder wasn''t needed, but it was something she appreciated.


    "Anyhow, I''m here to take what is mine. Since you just got out of your office, why don''t you honor your promise." She looked at the middle-aged man with her golden irises. From the looks of it, she wasn''t taking no for an answer.


    "I''m an honorable gentleman. I''ll see through the end of what I promised." Abraham replied while taking out his wallet. He was ready for what was toe. He merely hoped that he would survive it.


    "Good, I love that confidence. Why don''t we go to that restaurant over there?" Lace pointed at a luxurious restaurant down the street. "I heard the food is delightful."


    It seems that the dragoness was taking out a guillotine for his wallet.


    Nevertheless, Abraham wasn''t backing down. He nodded at the dragoness as she beamed at him while holding his right arm. The man felt the satisfying softness that felt unrivaled.


    However, he wasn''t letting his guard down. He realized that the white-haired girl locking herself with his arm was nning to suck his wallet into bankruptcy overnight. He mustn''t be swayed by her peculiar actions.


    The two entered the high-end restaurant and were met by a waiter. The waiter upon seeing the fleet admiral and the dragoness felt admiration, immediately bowing to the two upon meeting.


    "We are honored for the two of you to be in our restaurant. As a sign of our gratefulness, we will be giving a 50% discount." The manager, who was notified by the staff, met with the two legendary figures in the United Navy.


    "There''s no need to do so. I''ll pay the same as everyone here." While he would love that discount, Abraham didn''t want his precious image to be broken. Besides, it felt wrong to leverage his position.


    "As expected of the esteemed fleet admiral, it really is an honor for us." The manager looks like he was about to cry before getting dragged away by his staff.


    Abraham could only watch before turning his attention back to the dragoness. Their gaze met with one another. Lace seemed to intently stare at his jet-ck eyes while maintaining a smile on her face.


    "You can get anything you want, Lace. No need to refrain yourself from ordering." He expressed that he didn''t want her to restrain herself. This was a rare moment when the two of them got to spend time with one another.


    In all honesty, money wasn''t a problem for him.


    But, out of nowhere...


    Lace uttered an unexpected remark with utmost confidence.


    "Abraham... I like you."

 Chapter 109: | 109 | Dating a Problem Dragon

    Inside the luxurious restaurant, Abraham found himself frozen in his seat. His gaze was unmoving for a moment while the mental gears inside his head went to a full stop after hearing the words of the white-haired dragoness.


    Such words were something he expected to hear in theter part of their date, not in the restaurant where they had barely begun. And he envisioned to be the one saying it, not her.


    From the looks of it, he had underestimated the problem dragon before him.


    "You''re as frank as the moment I met you, Lace." He remarked while smiling at the white-haired dragoness. Remembering the honest and straightforward dragon from the early days was something he didn''t expect to be so riddled with nostalgia.


    "I merely took my time thinking about it, Abraham. A lot of time, and a lot of thinking. The reason why I''m confident and frank is fairly simple. It''s because I already know what I want." Lace softly smirked while staring at the jet-ck irises of the middle-aged man.


    "I see... I underestimated your focus and patience," Abraham responded, maintaining his gaze on the white-haired dragoness while signaling a waiter. "But I''d prefer to be the one that says it, Lace."


    The waiter then stood in front of the two of them and got a small notepad beneath his palms. He felt the tense atmosphere surrounding the table and felt a bit nervous after remembering the identity of the two.


    "Oh~ I apologize, Abraham. I should have been a bit more patient." Lace tilted her head and maintained a smile. She then pointed at several dishes on the menu, which the waiter swiftly wrote in his notepad.


    "There''s no need to apologize." Abraham also pointed at a single dish as he didn''t have the bottomless stomach that the dragoness had. And eating the same dishes for an hour would leave a bad taste on his tongue.


    After the waiter wrote everything the two needed, he quickly walked out of the battlefield and returned to the kitchen. When he arrived in the kitchen, the waiter felt as though his life was spared for some reason.


    "But now that I think about it. I also have something to say, Lace." Abraham''s attention never left the white-haired dragoness. Lace raised an eyebrow, curious about Abraham''s words. Perhaps, it was the same as the ones she expressed to him.


    "Interesting..." She muttered under her breath and kept her golden eyes on him.


    "I love you, Lace." Abraham expressed his feelings despite the embarrassment it would bring him. On the other hand, his words resounded in the dragoness''s ears. She didn''t think that he would actually say it.


    "This is what I love about you. As clumsy as you are in hiding your emotions, you''re a bit too cute for your own good." Lace remarked with cheeks flushed in a tinge of crimson red while Abraham wanted to bury his head into the ground.


    ''C-Cute!?'' This was the first time a girl said such a thing to him. He didn''t know if he should be extremely delighted or extremely embarrassed. But nevertheless, it made him happy.


    ''Wait, why am I the one who''s cute?'' Abraham regained his calm as he remembered what Lace had said. Shouldn''t he be the one uttering such words?


    "*Cough!* Thank you for thepliment." He coughed as to negate any awkwardness that woulde after the recent embarrassing situation. Though, hearing him, Lace regained her smugness.


    Before they could continue in their banter, the waiter emerged beside their table with a tray brimming their dishes. One te was given to Abraham, while several others were ced on Lace''s side.


    With the luxurious meals before them awaiting to be eaten, the two quietly decided to start eating their meal and enjoy the silence. Abraham picked up a spoon and fork, calmly digging through his dish. Lace also followed with etiquette rivaling his.


    Quite surprising, but not too much.


    Lace''s ability to learn wasn''t to be underestimated. The elementary, high school, and college curriculums, despite the tough learning curve, were something she speed-blitzed in mere weeks.


    Her intellect as a dragoness was the highest of what was biologically possible.


    So, in simpler terms, a genius.


    As the two took satisfaction from the tranquility of their time together, an hour passed in mere moments. It didn''t take long before they found themselves walking down the sidewalk together.


    Unlike the busy road beforehand crowded with people, the streets had be fairly empty. The air was cold and calming while the night sky littered with thousands of twinkling stars.


    Walking through the sidewalk, Abraham silently nced at the quiet white-haired dragoness beside him. She had a soft smile on her face, magnifying her already beautiful face. It was something he could look at for days, months, and years.


    He would never get bored of it.


    Out of nowhere, while strolling together on the sidewalk, Abraham felt Lace''s head leaning over his shoulders. Despite being fully clothed, he could feel her warmth, which was somewhat astounding.


    "It''s rare for peace in this world. Could you let me enjoy it, even for a moment, Abraham?" She whispered to him while looking forward into the distance.


    "Take your time, Lace. I''ll always be here with you." He responded and became determined inside his heart. If peace was what she wanted, then he''d attain it no matter what.


    "Thank you," Lace closed her eyelids and let him guide her into the darkness of the night. This was the first she trusted someone so fully. And it was a human at that.


    Her former self would probablyugh at her, thinking that she had be soft. But if this was the reward for bing softer, then she would have done so since the beginning.


    Droplets of water fell from the dark heavens as a shower of rain fell upon the two. Unfortunately, none of them brought along an umbre that they could use. Though, with their current physique. It was nearly improbable for them to be sick.


    "Sorry for not bringing an umbre," Abraham said as he was a bit disappointed at himself for not checking the weather. However, it was understandable. After all, everything took ce faster than they had expected.


    "It''s not a big deal; there are times when you should enjoy the rain instead of seeking cover from it," Lace murmured, making Abraham tenderly smile.


    It didn''t take long before the two arrived at Abraham''s home in the suburban area of the Port of Dawn. It looked the same as the rest, but Lace wanted to see more of himself.


    The little shower had already ended, though the two of them were already drenched by the pouring rain.


    "Make yourself at home," As Abraham opened the door, Lace entered while he followed from behind. Everything inside waspletely furnished, giving a weing atmosphere.


    "Like to go get a shower first?" Abraham suggested while Lace looked around the house and nodded without thinking much of his words. She seems to be entranced by the serenity of his home.


    "Okay, I''ll fetch a towel from my room. Stay in the living room, Lace. And don''t break anything." He reminded before going upstairs and taking out an extra towel from his wardrobe.


    Lace merely nodded and sat on a wooden chair near a desk. This was the first time she got inside Abraham''s home. It smells a lot like him and reeks of his entire being.


    For someone who spends most of his time in his office, it seems that he stays inside his home for the majority of his extra time.


    Abraham returned to the living room with a white towel in hand. He immediately threw it to the face of the dragoness and smirked. "Take a hot shower, Lace."


    "While our bodies can get rarely sick, it isn''t imprable." He stated with confidence, causing the hushed problem dragon to regain her smug side.


    "It looks like Abraham wants to see my naked body." She lightly giggled while Abraham merely turned his head away, not denying or confirming her words.


    Lace held the soft towel and walked into the bathroom with staggering smugness. Abraham was left alone in the living room as the sound of her steamy hot shower echoed beyond the bathroom.


    It was at this moment he realized the situation he was in.


    He was too into the moment that he practically brought a woman inside his house for the first time. Damn, he didn''t know he was a natural, but he would need help through these challenging times.


    With this in mind, the middle-aged man called out for his precious partner. He calmly waited for the mechanical bell to ring inside his head, but it never came.


    Abraham called once again through his thoughts, and a response didn''t follow. He could whisper her name, but the hearing of the problem dragon couldn''t be underestimated.


    Even if she was showering, his voice might as well sound the same as if he was a mere feet away from her.


    ''It seems that I have been abandoned. I''m on my own in this unknown frontier.'' Abraham thought with a serious expression. Thoughts surged inside his head as he needed a n for how to handle it.


    But there was one piece of advice from his single friend in his former life that echoed throughout his heart and mind at this very moment. He didn''t know why, but it sounded profound.


    ''When one is in love, a n is not needed. Passion, honesty, and trust are the foundation of a rtionship. Let it flow like a natural tide and don''t try to control it.'' The sagely words of his single friend saved him in these precarious moments.


    Nevertheless, the middle-aged man couldn''t continue as he didn''t notice the white-haired dragoness standing before himpletely drenched with steamy water and covered by a soft andfy towel.


    "Hey, do you have some extra clothes I can use?"

 Chapter 110: | 110 | Being Trusted

    In the suburban home of the highest ofmand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. The middle-aged man found his response stuck inside his throat while his gaze scrutinized the steamy and curvy frontier before him from top to bottom.


    It was the first for Abraham to see such a grandiose and spectacr sight. He hadn''t thought how seductive the problem dragon would be when seen in such circumstances.


    On the other hand, noticing the leering gaze of the fleet admiral, Lace merely smirked and ced her pale hand on her hips, tilting it sideward. It was natural to have such a reaction; she didn''t consider it a big deal.


    Besides, for Abraham to have such an attraction to her body. She was somewhat proud and considered it an achievement.


    Though... She didn''t have all the time to be only covered by a piece of whitefy towel.


    So, Lace looked at Abraham''s eyes with her golden irises and muttered to him.


    "Mission control to Abraham, Mission control to Abraham, is your connection alright?" She waved her hand with a yful smile, causing Abraham to get out of his trance and return to reality.


    With Abraham regaining himself, he immediately realizes his weird action and promptly apologizes to the white-haired dragoness. "Sorry about that, Lace."


    "There''s no need to be sorry about it. My body is naturally attractive, so consider it as a gift for the time we spent inside that restaurant." Lace shook her head as she wasn''t bothered by it.


    Abraham then remembered the question of the gorgeousdy and swiftly replied to the dragoness. "Oh, and about the clothes. Yeah, I got some T-shirts that should fit your body. But I can''t say the same for my shorts. I''ll try checking my wardrobe."


    "Don''t worry, it shouldn''t take long." He scurried away to his room and opened his wardrobe brimming with all kinds of clothing. Though, as he searched for clothes that could fit the dragoness, thoughts about the recent scene surged inside his head.


    ''I can''t believe that I actually froze in front of a woman''s body. And she wasn''t even naked.'' He was disappointed in himself since he was acting like a virgin. Even though he was one, he didn''t want to act like an ignorant kid.


    ''Alright, Abraham. Calm yourself and don''t blow what had happened out of proportion. I should also not waste my time thinking and give her some clothes.'' Abraham rid his head of useless and aggravating thoughts, returning his attention to searching for some clothes in the wardrobe.


    Lace maintained her yfulness while calmly waiting for Abraham to return. She felt satisfaction from Abraham''s reaction. It was something she didn''t expect to feel good about. Or perhaps, she should have expected it.


    Meanwhile, in the living room, Lace maintained her yfulness and calmly waited for Abraham to return. She felt deep satisfaction from his reaction. It was something she never felt before, since for some reason, it made her excited.


    Excitement was a feeling she didn''t expect to feel when being seen naked by a man. It wasn''t within her expectations to feel such a way, but perhaps, she should have expected it. After all, Abraham was far from an ordinary man in her eyes.


    ''Heh~ I wonder what''s going through his mind right now.'' The dragoness quietly thought with great satisfaction.


    It didn''t take three minutes for Abraham to return to the living room. In his hands was arge white T-shirt and sizeable ck shorts.


    "Here you go, tell me if it fits perfectly or not. I''ll try finding something better if it doesn''t fitfortably." He gave the requested clothes to the white-haireddy, who was still a bit wet from the steamy shower she had previously gone through.


    "Thank you." Lace beamed a smile at the middle-aged man while epting the spare of clothing. She held them softly as though they were fragile and walked back to the bathroom.


    Abraham could only watch as her considerablyrge cake wiggled left and right before disappearing under the cover of the bathroom door.


    He didn''t know if he was dense, but for some reason, he felt that the dragoness was doing it intentionally.


    ''Nah, I''m not that dense. Besides, just because it swings left and right doesn''t mean it was done intentionally. It might be gravity doing its thing.'' Abraham was confident of his ability to read the situation. He wasn''t dense on the topic of rtionships and sensual atmosphere.


    And his thoughts made sense. ording to the greatest scientist of all time, the greater the mass, the greater the attraction. Such was gravity. So, yeah, it was gravity all along.


    Lace was rtively quick in wearing her requested clothes. She got out of the bathroom with an oversized white t-shirt covering her body along with the ck shorts perfectly sheathing her hips and legs.


    ''Damn...'' Abraham didn''t expect the problem dragon to look so good in his clothing. The boyish clothes and the unrivaled beauty were creating a strange yet satisfying amalgamation of gorgeousness.


    "It looks like the two fit perfectly, Abraham." Lace moved her body and checked the quality of her clothes with interest. As expected, no matter her clothes, she would always look good. This made her give a silent nod of approval inside her head.


    "Anyhow, it''s your turn to take a shower. After all, you also got wet from the short downpour." Lace expressed to the middle-aged man, who instinctively nodded without understanding what he had done.


    As though his brain was on autopilot, Abraham walked into the bathroom with an unbothered expression and woke up after taking his clothes off. The scent and aroma smells good. Which made him furrow his eyebrows.


    It was at this moment, that he realized that actually got inside the bathroom recently used by the dragoness. Didn''t he have another bathroom upstairs? Why here!?


    ''This sh*tty brain is sabotaging me.'' Abraham med his mind, but perhaps this was an opportunity.


    ¡­


    It wasn''t an opportunity.


    Abraham walked out of the bathroom after drying his hair and wearing his already-prepared clothing. After stepping into the living room, he found no signs of the problem dragon.


    Raising an eyebrow, he carefully looked around and noticed a figure in the kitchen. Heading towards it, he noticed Lace drinking hot chocte while also waving her hands at him.


    "You look refreshed," She remarked with a slight chuckle and continued. "Here''s a hot chocte for you, my fleet admiral." Thedy smirked and pointed at the cup of hot chocte beside her.


    Abraham wasn''t picky and was someone who''d ept gifts from others with gratefulness, so he''d dly ept the cup of hot chocte.


    He sat beside the white-haired dragoness and took a sip from the cup. It was sweet, and the vors were blended well. He raised an eyebrow andmented. "It seems that hot chocte is your favorite."


    "I heard my calling the moment I tasted it." Lace grinned and continued drinking from her hot chocte. Ever since bing a member of the United Navy, she has been buying a lot of products from the former modern world.


    "This stuff was supposed to be bitter. I didn''t expect it to be so sweet." She smiled as she remembered her first time tasting hot chocte. It was during her time with Charlotte; who felt the need to take care of the problem dragon.


    "I''m d that you enjoy it." Abraham expressed as he took another sip from the cup of hot chocte. The warmth was rxing, especially whenbined with the cold night.


    Spending time with someone else was something Abraham always desired. Whether it''d be friends, lovers, or a family. While there were times he wanted to be alone, he had no desire to be lonely.


    Connection was a treasure he''d always protect.


    His transmigration presented him with an opportunity to be a better version of himself. Unlike the former loser of his former world, he worked hard to be who he was now.


    Even though the responsibilities of the United Navy were heavy and difficult for him to carry, the trust they ced in him was something he held dear. So, he wanted to live a life he didn''t regret.


    "I should be thanking you, Abraham. For giving me a second chance." Lace expressed as her golden irises faintly glowed. "Without you, I would have been lost."


    Abraham carefully listened to the words of the white-haired dragoness. He was patient and waited for her to continue until she uttered everything she wanted to say to him.


    "Really, thank you," Lace said since she was deeply grateful to Abraham. He was the one that freed her from the shackles that kept her in ce. The one that gave her a second chance for a better future.


    In her eyes, Abraham was greater than a savior and more than a friend. He was the one that she loved. And so, remembering the wisdom she had gathered for years.


    One can''t hide secrets from the one they love.


    Lace didn''t desire to keep him at bay anymore and wanted him to know everything about her as she also wished to know everything about him.


    With this in mind, the kindling mes of determination inside the dragoness''s heart shone brighter than ever before. She looked at the middle-aged man with a determined gaze.


    Seeing the gaze of Lace, Abraham understood where the situation was going. And he felt incredibly happy that she was finally willing to tell him something about her.


    "Abraham... I want to tell you about my past." Lace softly muttered, making it barely conceivable for anyone to hear. But Abraham heard it clearly, prompting him to smile at the dragoness.


    "I''ve been waiting for you to say that." He patted her as the feeling of being trusted made him very ted.

 Chapter 111: | 111 | Sincerity, Trust, and Faith

    Alone together for the first time, Abraham and Lace opened up to one another. The white-haired dragoness desired to speak of the truth to the one she loved, while the other thought the same.


    So, inside the kitchen of the fleet admiral''s suburban home, Lace finally spoke about her past.


    "I don''t know where to start, so I''ll go with the beginning." She softly smiled and continued. "Long ago, after breaking out of my egg, I discovered my identity as a dragon. A liberated creature unshackled by anyone and anything."


    "I was the most free of them all."


    "As one would expect from a creature who considers their freedom above all else, I was arrogant and didn''t take any creature seriously. To me, they were but ants, there was no need to trample them, but I also didn''t need to get along with beings I considered as feeble."


    "But it all changed when a beastfolk tribe turned me into the guardian deity. It was surprising, and I didn''t think there would be anything foolish enough to consider me as a guardian candidate." Lace lightly chuckled, making Abraham smile.


    "It was at that moment when I realized that it wasn''t the only one that was free. They chose me to be their guardian deity, and it was all of their free will. After bing their deity, I protected them in exchange for offerings every now and then."


    Though... In Lace''s final words, her smile faded and a saddened expression followed.


    "However, conquering armies of humanity began conquering the inds of the Ferus Sea, making them their Colonial Dominions. One after another, tribes fell, disappeared, and became enved."


    "The beastfolk tribe, who considered me their guardian, were massacred. None were left alive, not even children were spared. I was toote, and in my anger, I gave my wrath to the ind where the expanding human fleet was docking."


    "I destroyed every single one of them and enacted my first massacre. Their ships sunk into the depths of the turbulent seas, the ind they stood on burned in fiery crimson, while their respected Magus got trampled beneath my feet."


    "It was at that moment, that I became the Dragon of the Revolting Tide. The first rebellion against the invading forces of humanity." Lace sighed to herself and uttered. "That was two hundred years ago."


    Abraham was surprised by the unexpected age-reveal. Two hundred years ago, then that would mean that the dragoness was beyond 200 years old.


    "I didn''t ex-" He couldn''t continue as he found Lace ring at him with her golden irises. She tilted her head with a scary smile and remarked. "I''m sure that Abraham should know about the concept of not discussing a youngdy''s age, correct?"


    Facing the threatening smile of Lace, Abraham understood that he needed to back down. Otherwise, he would face the wrath of the white-haired dragoness.


    "Anyhow, I was the founder of the rebellion and throughout the decades, it grew stronger. Other deities joined me in the revolution to protect the Ferus Sea, they were the White Tiger, the Crimson Phoenix, and the Ind Turtle."


    "Other than me, they were the strongest," Lace exined the three deities that joined the Revolting Tide she had created. It seems that they were strong.


    However, this did make Abraham wonder about how the rebellion only managed to force the invading forces of humanity to be halted in the so-called Frontier.


    "If these deities were a bit like you, how did the Revolting Tide not force humanity to return to Europa." He questioned the white-haired dragoness, who only wryly smiled upon hearing it.


    "While we were extremely strong, the peak of what was biologically possible. Humanity has its own deities. People they call the Sovereigns. They were the strongest Magus in humanity, and they were a lot stronger than us."


    "The moment we tried to force back the human forces, one of them emerged and we were barely able to beat him. Afterward, an unspoken rule was created. The Frontier was ours, and everything they conquered was theirs."


    Lace clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. Deep hatred seemed to emanate from her eyes before she continued. "But even though the Frontier was ours. Humanity still kept invading, though even if we massacred their fleets, the Sovereigns wouldn''t bat an eye."


    "Principatus Humanum was amongst the expansionary fleets I have burned into asunder a decade ago. The fact that they returned to full strength in half a decade meant that humanity could easily rece their loss."


    "So, as long as their territory was maintained. They could keep fighting without care." Lace remembered the amount of lives she had taken, and they simply kepting like ants.


    "But... Sadly, humanity wasn''t the reason I got enved by that merchant." She sighed once again as though remembering a painful experience. Her golden irises seem to falter. Abraham didn''t know whether it was from rage or sorrow.


    "I- I was betrayed! Those goddamn bastards were monsters. Behind my back, they conquered tribes in the name of the Revolting Tide. Those that didn''t join were trampled into damnation. ording to them, they needed more beastfolk in their cause."


    "But in my eyes, it was fairly clear. What they wanted was power. The Frontier was practically for them to take. Why should they continue fighting against humanity when they could simply be the rulers of the Frontier?" Lace felt hatred, rivaling that of her hate for Europa''s humanity.


    "The moment I discovered the truth. I denounced my position as the founder of the organization and tried to disassemble it. After all, it was but a husk keeping an iron grip over the beastfolk tribes in the Frontier."


    "But sadly, I was already toote. Everyone in the Revolting Tide considered me as a traitor. And they, along with the deities, fought against me. Even though I was stronger than them, against all of them, even my prided strength faltered."


    "I was barely able to escape but was captured by human ve traders. I was incredibly weakened and injured. Runes were scattered throughout my body, and my freedom was taken away for the first time."


    Lace took a deep breath as the memories of the past still etched themselves clearly inside her head. Abraham only patted her on the back as she didn''t know that the dragoness had gone through such a horrible experience.


    Being betrayed by the very organization you created and seeing it be corrupted before your eyes. Even imagining the United Navy doing the same to him deeply horrifies him.


    "Just when all hope was lost and I was about to be sold into Europa. Out of nowhere, humans saved me. They were far different than anything and anyone I had ever seen. Their values were clear, and they wouldn''t hesitate to follow them."


    "That''s why I''m thankful." Lace looked at Abraham with determination. It was brighter than ever before. It made Abraham, who was already determined, doubtful of himself. It made him wonder if he should do the same.


    Speak of his secrets as she had spoken hers.


    "Thank you for the trust you have given me, Lace. I really appreciate it." Abraham closed his eyes and gathered his courage. "So, I shall do the same and speak of my past. I want you to know me. Not just the one in front of you, but also the one from the past, and the one into the future."


    The moment Abraham uttered his first words. Many more followed like a surging tide. All of them escaped the confines of his heart as he spoke of the purest truth about himself. He was Abraham Shepherd, a loser of an office worker who had no life.


    Merely working on a job and ying games inside hisputer for entertainment. His world was but an empty void of ck and white. He didn''t have good memories, nor did have bad ones.


    He wasn''t the bravest, he wasn''t the smartest. He waszy, while also being envious. His attitude was also far from the best. His former self was a far cry from who he was now. He wasn''t interesting and was but a speck in other people''s lives.


    When he transmigrated, he doubted any of them remembered him. The world would have been the same with or without him. None would feel sorrow upon his disappearance, no one would try to find him. That was how much he was cut off from the world.


    "Unlike you, I didn''t care about anyone. I didn''t care about their freedom. Their lives had nothing to do with me, so why should I care? I didn''t have grandiose goals, and even if I did, I doubt I would have sought them. That was the kind of person I am."


    "But like you, there was a twist of fate. When I was thrown into this world. I had the ability to summon others and were unnaturally loyal to me. It was strange to be trusted. To be given responsibility for their well-being."


    "I wanted to change, and didn''t want to disappoint those that gave me their..."


    "Sincerity, Trust, and Faith."


    "That''s how I became who I am now. I''m not the fleet admiral because of some great achievement. I was merely thrown into this situation and had to adapt." Abraham couldn''t help but chuckle at himself. "You must feel disappointed, right? After all, I''m not the one you thought I wa-"


    Before Abraham could continue, he felt a pale and soft finger over his mouth. He noticed Lace ring at him with ravenous anger. She grabbed his chin and muttered with a tinge of coldness.


    "I don''t appreciate anyone throwing assumptions, Abraham. It seems that I need to teach you a lesson."


    Out of nowhere, Lace pulled Abraham''s cor. He couldn''t react in time and felt warmth encapsting his lips.

 Chapter 112: | 112 | Passion(R18)

    In an ambient room veiled with the alluring twilight of the luminescent moon. Two figures wrapped in darkness found themselves snared on a cozy pale bed. One had his backid on the wooden frame while the other was on top of him.


    Abraham was pinned by the white-haired dragoness as shey on top of him with a seductive smile on her face. How it led to his current circumstance was a question he''d like to ask. Sadly, there was no one who could answer.


    "You''re a bad man, Abraham. I will have to punish you for what you have done." Lace coquettishly whispered beside his ear, blowing it gently with her enticing breath.


    Abraham blushed as his body shivered. He should be the one dominating the scene, but who can dominate a dragon? He''ll have to adapt, ovee, and survive to be able to do so.


    The white-haireddy slowly ced her soft fingers into the T-shirt of the middle-aged man. She could feel his rigid yetpact abs and began teasing them.


    He flinched when the dragoness began touching his body in a strange manner.


    "Oh, my~ I didn''t think my Abraham would be so sensitive. It makes me one to tease you more." Lace grinned as she went further and poked his chest, causing the man to unknowingly quiver.


    Her mellow chest pressed on his body while her face got closer to the middle-aged man. Abraham noticed the golden irises of the dragoness, glowing with peculiar radiance.


    Though, he couldn''t keep his attention to such oddness since Lace began to ravage his lips as if trying to suck his soul out of his body. Her tongue pushed through his teeth and began to cause chaos in the inside.


    Their saliva mingled together in a passionate blend, while their tongues danced.


    Although dominated at first by Lace, Abraham adapted and became better at dancing with her through their lips. This made the white-haired dragoness lightly moan, breaking free from the sensuous embrace.


    "I didn''t expect you to adapt so fast. As expected of my fleet admiral." She breathed in and out with a crimson-covered yet smug face. A teasing smile was below it as she gazed at the panting man in front of her.


    "Would you like to continue~?" Lace pressed her crotch onto his lower body and felt something hard touching it. This cause her to shiver and moan as she was bing too horny for her own good. "Ah~"


    She gripped his shoulders since despite her rowdy smugness and confidence; she was as inexperienced as the middle-aged man below her.


    Abraham wanted to make sure that their memory of this night would be memorable, so he turned their positions altogether. Lace nowid in the bed panting, while Abraham was on top of her.


    "Prepare yourself, Lace." He muttered to her and opened up her T-shirt, revealing her smooth and pale stomach. He nced at it and began pecking it, slowly heading upwards of her body.


    Feeling the tantalizing kisses of Abraham, Lace held his jet-ck hair as he grew closer to her chest. Abraham nced at the towering peak of a soft breast and didn''t hesitate in licking it.


    "Abraham~" Lace clenched her legs together while Abraham fondled one of her breasts. Her moans got louder by the second as the middle-aged man kept ravaging her chest.


    After some time, Abraham came to rest and saw the white-haired dragoness heavily panting from the pleasure she had felt from his ravenous excursion to her breasts.


    This was the first time Abraham saw the naturally smug and arrogant dragoness in such a state. It steered up something inside of him. He didn''t know if it was a kink, but for some reason, he felt satisfaction from it.


    "Abraham... This body of mine- Is all yours~ y it with it, will you?" Lace craved more of what she felt and wanted to let the one she loved get deeper with her body.


    The soft and meek request of the breathless white-haired dragoness made Abraham extremely aroused.


    Without any hesitation or dy, he pulled Lace into another embrace. Their tongues yed with one another, blending their saliva into an arousing vor.


    Lace moaned as Abraham kept monopolizing her sultry tongue. While doing so, he patiently opened up her closed-off legs and took off her shorts.


    Her thighs shivered upon his touch while his fingers got closer to her crotch. Abraham could feel it wet and dripping from her previous orgasms. It appears she was enjoying it to the fullest.


    This made Abraham beamed a smile as it made him happy that his partner was satisfied with what he had done. Though, obviously... They were far from done.


    The middle-aged man lowered his shorts and pulled out his imposing penis. It stood mighty and fierce, causing the slitted pupils of the dragoness to shrink back. For the first time in her life, Lace felt as though she was facing a ferocious challenger.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be gentle," Abraham whispered to the dragoness and kissed her once again. The two of them embraced as his rod dwelled in the entrance of her wet pussy.


    While the two embraced, the rod made its way, pushing through as gently as possible. As Lace ferociously kissed Abraham, she felt something entering her crotch.


    Her body instinctively tensed up since she wasn''t used to such a feeling. But Abraham assisted her and muttered to her ears. "Rx, Lace. I''ll take care of it."


    As though her body subconsciously listened to his words, she rxed and felt her lover''s rod pushing in.


    "Ah~ Ah~" Lace moaned as Abraham slowly began moving his hips. Pleasure encapsted her body as shivers ran across her waist. Even though it was painful at first, the pain became her greatest pleasure with time.


    Lace kissed the middle-aged man and fiercely wrestled with his tongue. Abraham''s hips in reaction to her embrace got faster, like a rapid piston elerating further beyond.


    The white-haired dragoness began loving the pleasure brought to her body. Her lover while as inexperienced as her, was incredibly good at adapting.


    His constant efforts to pleasure her body, cause her mind to be hazy. Nevertheless, she never forgot his face enraptured in her embrace.


    "Ah~ Ah~ Ah~" Lace kept moaning and panting as Abraham continued plunging her body into intense pleasure. His rod reached her stomach and conquered every part of her womb, leaving nothing behind.


    Half an hour passed, and Abraham felt his body ejacting. Obviously, he didn''t want to have a child out of ident and was about to pull out. But before he could do so, he felt Lace''s legs keeping him in.


    "Hah~~ Hah~~ Keep going, my dear... Don''t worry and do what you want. Besides, a dragon couldn''t be so easy to impregnate, right?" Lace smugly teased him, causing him to push deeper into her pussy. "Ah~ What a tease~"


    Lace''s words made sense. If it was easy for dragons to get pregnant, there would have been hundreds or thousands of them roaming in the Ferus Sea. It was clear that it took time and hard work for a dragon to be impregnated.


    With this in mind, Abraham didn''t hesitate no more and kept pumping her pussy with his rod. She moaned over and over again while clenched her fingers into his shoulders. It was a bit painful, but it made the experience somehow better.


    "Lace!" He roared and ejacted his seed deep into the dragoness''s womb. His vitality drained, making him pant heavily from the wild experience.


    Abraham gently took his penis out of her womb, not wanting to make Lace ufortable. He looked at his rod and found it drenched from her orgasms. It waspletely wet.


    Semen also followed afterward as they slowly but surely trickled out of her crotch, dripping onto the bed.


    The middle-aged many beside the dragoness and thought about the beautiful experience he had gone through. He closed his eyes as exhaustion was about to take his body.


    But before he could fall into slumber, he felt something climbing over him.


    Abraham opened his eyelids and saw the white-haired dragoness in a messy appearance.


    Her silver-white hair was disheveled and her T-shirt and shorts were taken off her body. She was fully naked before his eyes with a gaze longing for more. On her cheeks were tints of crimson red as she grinned at the middle-aged man before asserting.


    "We aren''t finished yet, my Abraham... I''m sure you''re far from done~" Without any hesitation, Lace began rubbing her crotch over his weary rod, and in a magnificent fashion, it rose stronger than ever before.


    The white-haired dragoness didn''t wait for a moment and rode his towering penis. She moaned as it prated deeper than ever before while moving her hips front and back.


    "Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ You''re cock is so good, Abraham~ I''m bing addicted to it!" Lace smirked while Abraham held her hips as she rode him without care. Her dominating nature returned, and the middle-aged man felt worried for his life.


    He hoped to not get sucked into a dry husk by the dragoness. After all, there were still many things he needed to do in the United Navy.


    But nevertheless, it was hard to concentrate as pleasure began to take control of his mind. Her hot and flesh insides were rubbing together with his rod, and it was exhrating.


    Abraham''s body began moving despite being ridden by the dragoness. It wanted to push deeper into her womb and he wasn''t thinking of stopping it.


    And so, the erotic romance and adventure between the fleet admiral and his dragon continued for hours until the golden sun rose from the lines of the boundless horizon.

 Chapter 113: | 113 | The Following Morning

    Warm radiance pierced through the silky curtain strapped upon a window, creating a tranquil ambiance within the room. Perceiving the warmth of the morning sun, Abraham slowly opened his eyelids and saw his room covered in a pleasing brilliance.


    He felt pressure over his arm, prompting his eyes to turn towards it. He saw the white-haired dragoness gazing at him with her golden irises. A smirk encapsted her lips while her cheeks glossed with a pinkish tint.


    "Oh, my... You finally woke up." Lace expressed with a teasing smile as she continued. "You must have been exhausted from working hard a couple of hours ago."


    "Yeah, I wonder why." Abraham rolled his eyes while thinking about what had happened in their erotic adventure and romance. The white-haireddy on his arm practically sucked the vitality from his body.


    Even though he could adapt through the activation of his perk, recovery. It was difficult to do so as the dragoness never intended to stop in their intriguing activities.


    "It wasn''t me that tried to do various positions, Abraham. You loved changing positions too much, you exhausted yourself from doing so." Lace pulled out her fingers and shook them in front of the middle-aged man.


    "But nevertheless, I didn''t think there would be so many positions that we could do in an intercourse. As expected, you''re knowledgeable." She continued with a smirk on her face.


    "You don''t even sound tired at all." Abraham sighed to himself as his partner was brimming with vitality. ''Without recovery, I would have died from how much she forced me to cum.''


    "I''m a dragon, my dear. Other than being strong, dragons are known for their endurance." Lace wanted to flex her pale, thin, soft, yet strong muscles. But was interrupted as Abraham embraced her body and kissed her for a single moment.


    "Thank you, Lace." He whispered to her, making the dragoness smile and reply. "You have given me the greatest gift I could have gotten."


    Hearing the words of the white-haireddy, Abraham raised an eyebrow as he swiftly inquired.


    "That sounds peculiar. Are you pregnant?" He was ready to take responsibility. After all, he didn''t hold back during their activities and flooded her womb with his seed.


    Noticing the worried yet epting words of the middle-aged man, Lace merely chuckled as she shook her head at his inquiry. She wasn''t pregnant, though there was still a lot of him inside her.


    "As I said before, I can''t get impregnated easily. I can control when my eggs get ejected into my womb, so there''s no need to worry. You can pump me however you desire, my Abraham." She softly smiled while pressing her breast on his chest.


    "When did you be so seducing, Lace." Abraham kept the dragoness in his embrace while she grinned and whispered. "The moment you took my flower. I became yours."


    "But let us calm ourselves..." Lace looked at Abraham''s jet-ck irises and nced at the clock. It wasn''t their holiday yet, so they couldn''t be absent from their jobs. "It''s already morning."


    Thankfully, Abraham''s horniness hadn''tpletely taken control of his brain. He noticed the time and realized that they were about to gette.


    "You''re right, how about you take a bath while I go prepare our breakfast." He suggested to the beautiful white-haireddy beside him. Lace kissed him and replied. "I''ll take you on that offer."


    She got out of the cozy nket, revealing her captivating and gorgeous naked body. Hickeys scattered all over her body, mostly from her neck, breast, and thighs. It seems that Abraham had been enjoying his meal too much.


    Lace merely smirked at the middle-aged man and entered the bathroom with her cake wiggling left and right for him to see. Abraham watched it without hesitation as he had graduated from the embarrassment and learned to appreciate it.


    After the white-haired dragoness entered the bathroom, Abraham got out of his bed and arranged it from its signs of their previous activities. He would probably have to clean this bed, but that was forter. First, he needed to prepare for their breakfast.


    He covered his naked body with his towel since he also needed to take a bath after Lace''s finished. It wouldn''t do good to not take a bath after what they had done during their adventures.


    Abraham stepped out of his room and went to the kitchen on the ground floor after climbing downstairs. He opened his fridge, and thankfully found it to be thriving with ingredients and food.


    Taking out the ingredients needed to create a spectacr breakfast, he immediately began cooking in the kitchen. Living alone, it was natural to be proficient in cooking.


    After all, even someone like him would find it hard to keep eating refrigerated and outdoor meals for the entirety of their lives.


    The aroma of bacon, eggs, and rice dispersed throughout the kitchen. The sound of oil crackling in the heat resounded while Abraham skillfully scattered spices throughout his fried rice.


    What a way to start the morning.


    ''I guess this is what a rtionship feels like. No wonder my former colleagues seemed addicted to them.'' He quietly thought to himself and continued cooking their meal.


    "Hmmm~ How adept."


    Abraham turned his gaze towards the living room and saw Lace leaning on a pir. She wore the same type of clothing as before, although a bit different.


    Instead of a white T-shirt, she wore a ck one. While she didn''t even bother wearing a pair of shorts anymore, and only went with the T-shirt. In simpler terms, she was naked.


    "If you''re curious, I only have my panties with me. However, my bra was broken by a certain someone." Lace answered Abraham''s questions trapped inside his mind.


    "Apologies for your bra, I''ll buy you a new one." Abraham coughed as he didn''t think he would be guilty of destroying her bra. "Oh, is that a strategy to learn my three sizes? I can''t tell you about them, you know? You could just as-"


    "You can tell me thatter. Instead, have a seat and enjoy my creation." Abraham presented their breakfast which was a te of fried rice with a sunny side up and a strip of bacon beside it. It was amongst his greatest creations, cooked withplete adoration.


    Lace gazed at the meal before her and smiled. "Would you like to eat with me?" She inquired the middle-aged man, who shook his head with a saddened look. "Sadly, while I''d like to, I''ll have to take a bath."


    "Don''t worry, I can wait." She replied and waved her arms as he stepped into the bathroom after preparing his clothing. As Abraham disappeared into the confines of the bathroom, Lace touched her belly and remembered their nightly activities.


    The pleasure was addicting, especially for a dragon like her. It made her want to spend days and nights with Abraham in bed, as they enjoyed their time together while he pumped her with his seed.


    "*Sigh...* But I can''t be greedy. There is a time for everything. To be consumed by lust is detrimental." She muttered as she threw the devious thought to the back of her mind.


    The United Navy still needed them. As such, they needed to bnce their time with themselves and the greater organization. After peacees in the long term, perhaps they could think about it.


    "However~ Who knows... There''s nothing and no one stopping us from doing it anywhere private." She smirked to herself as ideas began to emerge within her mind.


    ¡­


    Inside the branch office building of the United Navy, Abraham rode an elevator heading upward. After eating their breakfast, the two decided to part ways. Abraham made his way to the branch office building while Lace headed to the militaryplex in the defense sector.


    The metallic door of the elevator slid open. Abraham stepped out of its confines and walked through the hallway where his office resided.


    It was then, that he saw a particr white-wolf, a beastfolk, wearing a lieutenant''s uniform. The beastfolk immediately noticed him and saluted. "I am Mercedes of the Special Response Unit. Greetings the fleet admiral."


    She uttered with an aloof tone, though somehow brimming with admiration.


    "What brings you here, Mercedes?" Abraham questioned, why she was waiting in front of his office. Mercedes didn''t hesitate and answered him. "Vice Admiral Charlotte sent me here to assist you."


    "She heard that you were in need of a secretary."


    "Shouldn''t you be with Lace? After all, she is your superiormanding officer." Abraham was a bit confused since she should have been with Lace, managing the Special Response Unit.


    Mercedes shook her head and responded. "The Special Response Unit is currently in an inactive status. The management responsibilities are with themanding officer. I''m only there for assistance."


    "Since Lieutenant Colonel Lace had proven herself to be efficient on her own, the vice admiral decided to transfer personnel to the fleet admiral, hereby assisting him in his duties."


    "I see... I''m grateful for your volunteer and assistance, Lieutenant Mercedes." Abraham felt some relief as he finally had someone with whom he could share the burden of the files inside his office.


    "Lieutenant, do you know where the vice admiral is?" He inquired while opening the locks to his office. He was curious about the whereabouts of his executive officer.


    "Well, she should be currently in the office of mymanding officer." She calmly answered while her nose detected the scent of the dragon scattered throughout the fleet admiral''s body.


    Meanwhile, Charlotte stood inside the office of the dragoness and gazed at Lace''s golden irises before the edges of her lips rose.


    "It seems that you already caught the fleet admiral."

 Chapter 114: | 114 | Relationship

    "I am not authorize to answer that question." Lace responded with a soft smile, pretending to be ignorant of what Charlotte had uttered to her. The dragoness''s actions made the vice admiral chuckle. "It looks like the fleet admiral has chosen well."


    "Anyhow, Vice Admiral Charlotte, may I ask what you''re doing inside my office? Do you have something to ask from me?" Lace inquired as she sat on herfy chair.


    "Nothing much, I already asked what I was curious about. I''m merely here to discuss about your lieutenant''s transfer to be the secretary of the fleet admiral." Charlotte answered while sitting on the chair in front of the dragoness.


    "Mercedes became his secretary?" Lace was a bit surprise as it was the first she had ever heard of it.


    "Yes, there has been reports about the fleet admiral leaving his office in a half-dead state. I wanted to find a secretary to assist him in his duties. There was a lot, but most of them already had their respective jobs and were too busy."


    "I heard about your efficiency in handling paperwork, and the lieutenant practically confirmed it. So, I got her transferred to the fleet admiral''s side." Charlotte was honest all-throughout and spoke with calm.


    "Unexpected, but I guess he needs all the help we can give." Lace wasn''t bothered by the disappearance of her assistance. Perhaps, with her in his side, she could keep tabs with him without much of a problem.


    "That''s right. I''m d we are in the same page. Speaking of the page, have you thought about our next operation?" Charlotte questioned and brought up the topic of their next operation.


    "Next operation? It hasn''t been long since OPL. Has our logistics recovered from the losses we got in that operation?" Lace raised an eyebrow, a bit confused of their rapid pace.


    "Our resources and supplies have grown since Operation Phantom Liberation. With the existence of the hunter, our versatility and long-range capabilities have significantly advanced." Charlotte exined and continued.


    "Our reconnaissance crafts have detected an archipgo in the west of our influence. The group of inds are under the control of some colony, and we suspect the beastfolk tribes to be in the same aspect."


    "The uing operation will be not as big as the former one. The fleet admiral should have been made aware about it through Lieutenant Mercedes." Charlotte concluded her exnation and stood up.


    "How''s the new recruits of the Special Response Unit?" Charlotte asked, curious about the status of the unit under the dragoness''s authority.


    "You mean Espada and his Minokins? They are doing good, although having a hard time adapting to the United Army''s doctrine. But they are open to learning, so they have good foundation." Lace responded and opened the files on her desk.


    "That''s a piece of good news. The Special Response Unit has been gaining a lot of reputation, especially since the advent of Operation Phantom Liberation. Many highmanding officers have lots of expectations, Lace."


    Charlotte slowly walked out of Lace''s office, leaving the dragoness alone.


    Lace thought about the words of the vice admiral and shook her head. What others thought of her didn''t matter. In her eyes, only Abraham mattered and it shall stay that way.


    ''Though, it looks like I''ll have toy low for some time.'' She quietly thought to herself and read through the files of the day.


    Meanwhile, in the branch office building, Abraham was working through various documents with Mercedes beside him. His work efficiency had increased the moment she became his secretary. The pressure of the workload had also ease, proving the effectiveness of the lieutenant.


    But as he went through the documents, he found something intriguing amongst them. It came from the intelligence bureau of themand center. From the looks of it, they have discovered something significant and desired for an operation.


    "An archipgo in the west containing a colony possible controlling various beastfolk tribes. Naturally, we can''t pretend they don''t exist and must liberate them. But that would probably set-off a full scale war with the Colonial Dominion of Terra."


    Abraham was in a precarious situation as he found himself confused as to what he should do with the file before him. He nced at the calmly working Mercedes, and decided to ask for her opinion.


    "What do you think about an operation against an archipgo colony?" He questioned white wolf beastfolk, who stopped doing her job and gazed at him for a short while.


    She then coolly answered. "An operation against the colony would probably spark a war against the Colonial Dominion. But such a war is something we can''t avoided, especially with our values."


    "As the United Navy, we must liberate those oppress by their oppressors. For that is our identity, and we shall do so regardless of consequences." Mercedes sighed and continued.


    "The values of the United Navy is too foreign for this world. Perhaps, in the far future, we will have to fight against everything and everyone to preserve ourselves." She had an expression of mncholy, but it soon changed when she nced at him.


    "But with the fleet admiral in our side. I doubt we could lose." She grinned with determination, even though her usual behavior was that of cold aloofness.


    "You''re right about that, Mercedes. I''m d that you understand our values so well." Abraham smiled at the beastfolk as it appears that others outside of the United Navy have understood their core values.


    This gave him hope that there was a future for them in this world.


    ''It looks like this operation cannot be undermined.'' Abraham thought to himself and gave his signature to the operation. The requirement of such an operation was fairly simple.


    It merely needed the UNS Trinity of Sce, UNS Light Bringer, and UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    ording to the file, these three warships were enough to take care of the colony, and he agreed with its deduction. The UNS Trinity of Sce had unrivalled firepower, the UNS Light Bringer had remarkable defense, and the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas had incredible versatility.


    Whenbined, the three would be a formidable force in the Ferus Sea.


    With this in mind, Abraham wasn''t against for their deployment into the eastern archipgo. But naturally, of course... To counter any Magus interference, he would have to send the Special Response Unit in.


    ''It hasn''t been long since we got together and now I''m already thinking of sending her off.'' Abraham sighed and was disappointed at himself. It seems that they were too reliant to the dragoness in the subject of magicraft.


    "Mercedes, is the Special Response Unit ready for any uing operation?" He asked the beastfolk beside him who answered aloofly. "Yes, they are ready, fleet admiral."


    "Even though the Minokins and Espada are having a hard time adapting to our doctrine. Only through battle could they be forged into finer steel." Mercedes dropped some hard lines, which made Abraham somewhat impressed.


    "Well, then. I''ll be sending the Special Response Unit to assist in the operation regarding the liberation of the archipgo in the east." Abraham uttered to the lieutenant, who only nodded in response.


    But out of nowhere, the aloof girl seemed to have opened a subject for the fleet admiral. An interesting subject regarding what had happened recently.


    "Sir, have you been with the lieutenant colonel?" She calmly inquired as the thick scent of the dragoness scattered throughout the fleet admiral''s body was bing too hard to ignore through time.


    Abraham raised an eyebrow as this was the first that the lieutenant had questioned him, and he didn''t think it would be so personal. Obviously, he couldn''t answer such a question.


    "What made you ask such a question, Lieutenant Mercedes?" He was also curious how the beastfolk manage to bring up a strange, personal, and intriguing subject to him.


    "Hmm... The fleet admiral simply reeks of the lieutenant colonel. Throughout your body, there is only her scent. Especially in your crotch, where it seems to be emanating outward." Mercedes honestly answered with surprising purity.


    Abraham was surprised by the answer of the lieutenant and it made sense. She was, after all, a wolf beastfolk. Her sense of smell could probably be better than most canines, so her noticing the scent of the dragoness despite him bathing his body in hot water wasn''t out of bounds.


    "Are you performing a mating ritual of some sort? Should I be expecting a child to be born from the dragon''s womb? Will the United Navy have its heir?" Mercedes threw a lot of questions, but most of it was about them having kids.


    "Sadly, while we desire to do so, we don''t wish our children to live in the current situation of the United Navy where war is in the horizon. A heir will be postpone untilter. After all, the two of us still has a lot to do." Abraham exined, understanding that there was no used in hiding it.


    "That make sense. The heir must live in an era of peace, instead of an age of war. The fleet admiral and the dragoness probably don''t have enough time to raise children. And a child without their parent''s attention grows bitter as they get older."


    Like before, Mercedes was spouting some hard sentences to the fleet admiral.


    "Thank you for your understanding, Mercedes. I hope that you won''t say much about my rtionship with Lace. The both of us agreed that it''s not time yet." Abraham didn''t want the news about their rtionship to scatter throughout the naval organization.


    Mercedes looked at Abraham and replied.


    "I shall do so, Fleet Admiral."

 Chapter 115: | 115 | Magus Tower

    Deep within the Colonial Dominion of Terra, within a vast medieval city reminding one of an ancient maze, the famous Magus Tower stood proudly before itsnd. It was the gathering ce of the most respected humans, the Magi.


    Inside the Magus Tower was a massive hall where the reception of its interior dwelled. Hundreds of Magus scattered around as they have been called throughout the sea region of Terra for an emergency meeting.


    Most Magus discussed one another in specific groups, acting like the nobles of old. But it soon changed when an old man walked into the immense hall of the Magus Tower, wearing a wizard''s clothing.


    With a white beard, and a pointed hat, along with some wooden cane. Some would have considered him a peaceful old hermit. But appearances were always far from the truth in the world of magicraft.


    When the Magus noticed him, all of them turned silent and stopped conversing with one another. Their attention was fully captured to the old-bearded man, awaiting for his words.


    The old Magus stopped walking and finally spoke to the gathering. After all, he was the one that called for them to be in the Magus Tower of the Colonial Dominion.


    It was rare for such emergency meetings to be enacted, but in his eyes, war was looming in the horizon. They must prepare for what was toe.


    "I am pleased for all of you to have answered my call. I am Arch Magus Gunther, the head of the Magus Tower." The old Magus introduced himself to his audience and continued.


    "You must have an idea as to why I have called upon you here in the Colonial Dominion of Terra. And you are sadly correct, war is inevitable for us." He expressed with regret.


    Murmurs resounded throughout the grand hall of the Magus Tower. Most of them were astounded, but already expected the emergence of such circumstance.


    "The culprit for our troubles is the treacherous organization of humans called the United Navy. They are heretics who colluded with animals like the beastfolk to fight against their own kind."


    "They don''t even have a tinge of mana inside their bodies, signifying how far they have gone from the Magus Tower''s light." In his eyes, the United Navy was the bane of humanity.


    It needed to be extinguished before it could grow stronger in the sea region of Terra. Otherwise, who knows what could happen. This is a world where something improbably could happen, so Gunther didn''t dare to test destiny.


    "What makes them troublesome is their advance technology reaching to an unknown level. They appear to be a bit better than the dwarves in terms of technology, and they don''t even gift it to humanity." The arch mage clenched his fist, causing the gathering of Magus to stir up.


    "How there dare!"


    "Such low lives!"


    "It seems that they confused mercy for weakness!"


    Gunther spread out his hands and calmed the crowd down, making silence returned to the rowdy hall of the Magus Tower.


    "As such, we must do something against this heretical organization. It is our duties as the respective members of Humanity, and students of magicraft. The arcane is our light and wisdom. We will show them its undeniable might."


    All of them were in agreement with his words. They were already enamored by his charisma and wisdom, making them wish to do whatever hemand.


    "But we must not underestimate them. In their grasps is the Dragon of the Revolting Tide." The arch magus squinted his eyes and continued. "She is extremely dangerous, considered to be the greatest threat of humanity."


    "After her disappearance in the Frontier and the Revolting Tide working properly without her, most of us thought that she had died due to unknown reasons. One would have never thought for her to go deeper into the blessed of humanity."


    "The fact that she had joined the heretics means that she stands by their cause. She isn''t the Dragon of the Revolting Tide anymore, but the Dragon of the United Navy." The Arch Magus had never fought against the dragoness personally.


    But his colleagues in the Frontier have fought against her and understood how much of a challenge she was. She alone had a rivalling threat level of the United Navy.


    The only ones that called take care of her without much of a problem were the Sovereigns, but the arch magus understood that the court of the arcane was as chaotic as it was with rivalling powers pitting against one another.


    They practically had no time getting their attention in the Ferus Sea.


    Even their expansionary fleet, Principatus Humanum, was left to dust, anchored somewhere in the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Their reply from the pleas of assistance that the expansionary fleet had given to Europa was three words.


    Do it yourself.


    This made the arch magus understand that they were alone in their fight against the United Navy and the infamous Dragon. Even though humanity appeared to be united, it was fractured as it was a thousand of years ago.


    "What should we do against these heretics and the Dragon, Sir Gunther?" One of the Magus inquired, his question was the sentiment of every Magus in the vast hall.


    Arch Magus Gunther merely gazed at the Magus and calmly replied with a toneced of wisdom. "We must fight against them with all our might. Our survival depends on their destruction, so we have no choice but to do so."


    "However, we cannot simply charge into battle without hesitation. Instead, we have to fight with intellect. I advice the creation of a grand strategy to defeat these enemies of our Magus Tower."


    His words of wisdom boomed throughout hall of the Magus Tower. The gathering Magus in the grand hall gave a round of apuse to the old man as they echoed his sentiment throughout the hall.


    It appears that the United Navy weren''t the only ones preparing for the inevitable war.


    ...


    In the archipgo residing in the west, there was a tribe of deerfolk under the oppression of its preceding colony. To not face the punishment of the colony, they must honor them with gifts and ves. So, for years, they present a sacrifice to the colony.


    Inside one of the tribal homes of the deerfolk was a human girl. She was surprisingly helping the deerfolk prepare for the uing winter, which was rare for a human to do.


    But everyone had stories, and she had hers.


    She was part of the wyvern rider legion under the authority of the viceroy. Yes, she was a member of the first wyvern rider squadron that the UNS Light Bringer took out from the heavens.


    She miraculously survive the ambush after her wyvern saved her. After falling into the sea, she felt days afloat in the turbulent waters before washing up in the shores of the deerfolk ind.


    At first, she was pensive against them and didn''t want to have anything to do with them. But through their patience and kindness, she learned that they weren''t animals that should be enved.


    This took three weeks for her to understand, though.


    The thought of human supremacy was too ingrained to her being and mind. It was a part of her life and worldview, so it was something difficult to change. But there was something that could help change, and it was kindness.


    Understanding can only be brought when one was willing to be not ignorant. For one to abandon their worldview requires bravery to subject their life and beliefs. Only kindness can make them do so.


    As a human in the Colonial Dominion, she was fairly knowledgeable about many survival techniques and that included food storage for the uing winter. This kind of knowledge was far-reaching in thends of humanity.


    After all, even to them, the winter itself was still treacherous as it was a hundred, or thousands of years ago.


    "Hermona, would you like to y with me?" A young teenage beastfolk entered the tribal home and expressed to the wyvern rider named Hermona.


    "I can''t do that yet, Saintess." Hermona replied as she had to prepare the home to be ready for storage as winter was about toe.


    "But you promised me you''d y." The teen beastfolk pouted and turned her head away, disappointed by the broken promise of Hermona.


    Hermona sighed and walked towards the teen. She then patted her head and said. "Alright, I''ll make time to y with you."


    The teenage beastfolk grinned and felt ted to have a ymate. After all, almost everyone in the tribe avoided her after she became a Saintess.


    Hermona looked at the young one and remembered how she was the one that saw her washed up in the shores. The kid offered her food, which Hermona obviously rejected, thinking it was animal food.


    Naturally, her perspective had change since then.


    But there was something she was curious about, and it was the young beastfolk''s identity as the Saintess of the deerfolk tribe. No matter how much she inquired to surrounding tribe members. They don''t seem to give her any information about the Saintess.


    Though... Before she could encapste her thoughts to the mysteriousness of the Saintess, a deerfolk ran into the tribe yelling with all his might.


    "The colonial envoy has arrived! I repeat the colonial envoy is approaching!"


    Hearing the words of the panicking beastfolk, Hermona raised an eyebrow and realized what his words meant. This made her furrow her eyebrows as she got out of the tribal home and instructed the surrounding deerfolks.


    "Prepare yourselves, and take the gifts out to be sent to the colonial envoy."

 Chapter 116: | 116 | A Choice

    In the wooden and weary docks of the Deerfolk Tribe, the elders stood to meet their oppressors while the young men dragged out the crates of supplies containing their months of hard work. As they do so, a shadowy figure observed them from afar.


    It was none other than the former wyvern rider, Hermona.


    She looked at them with curiosity and cautiousness. She was aware of the offerings given by the beastfolk tribes, but she wasn''t knowledgeable of its deeper intricacies.


    "Be careful while dragging out that crate. Our offerings are greater than before with the help of that human. Perhaps, they wouldn''t punish us too much this year." One of the elder deerfolk expressed to the young men.


    The young men merely nodded while the elders furrowed their eyebrows. Their offerings were better than thest couple of years, so they desire for their oppressors to be merciful to them.


    It didn''t take long before a fairly gigantic wooden ship resembling a brig sailed across their shores. Inside it were human guards and the colonial envoy of the archipgo colony.


    As their ship docked into the Deerfolk Tribe, several dozens of guards stepped out and lined up together before the beastfolks. The elders stepped away while the young men stood their ground.


    Unlike the weary and traumatized elders, the young beastfolk had their minds cleared from fear and despair.


    After the colonial guards positioned themselves, the envoy finally stepped out of the giant medieval brig. He was a thin man, but wore luxurious clothing d with golden strings.


    The colonial envoy had an arrogant expression on his face as he observed the animals before him. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and uttered with a conceited tone.


    "I have arrived as the representative of the colony. I expect a great offering from your tribe, otherwise we wouldn''t give you a tinge of our mercy."


    Hearing the words of the colonial envoy, the deerfolk elders shivered, remembering the tragedies brought about by the so-called envoys.


    Seeing such fearful disy, the colonial envoy smirked as he ordered his guards to check the offering of these animals. "Check what these animals got, and make sure to identify everything."


    The colonial guards nodded in understanding and began checking the wooden crates. The young beastfolk backed away from the guards, but nheless, they still maintained their determination.


    While the guards checked the offerings of the Deerfolk Tribe, Hermona continued observing them from afar. Even though it was somewhat peaceful at the moment, she understood that things could go wrong in any second.


    Though, as she gazed upon the scene, she realized how much of a monster she was. To think that she would treat the beastfolk in such contempt.


    ''Seeing it in this perspective made me realize how hateful we were. We treat beastfolk worser than our criminals, merely because of the former''s appearance resembling that of an animal.''


    Hermona wanted things to change, especially their treatment towards the beastfolk tribes. Her time with the deerfolks made her realize that they weren''t that much different from humans. So, why should they treat them as lesser-beings?


    But she understood that it would be difficult. After all, she would practically be fighting against the entirety of humanity.


    "Hmmm... It seems that your offering this time is a lot better than thest years. It looks like you animals have gotten smarter." The colonial envoy remarked, giving hopeful expressions to the elders.


    "But sadly, your offerings are still far from enough. We need your greater offering. I''m sure you won''t deny my words, right?" The arrogant man shook his head and expressed with a smirk.


    The elders felt fear and didn''t hesitate to nod their heads in agreement. The young beastfolks in the background could only clenched their fist from the situation unfolding before them.


    "We shall bring our sacrifice, great one." The elder bowed and nced at the young men to bring their sacrifice. The young beastfolks felt saddened, but had no choice and followed themanders of their elder.


    It only took a moment before their sacrifice was brought in front of the colonial envoy, and it was none other than the Saintess of the Deerfolk Tribe.


    In the distance, Hermona felt shocked as her heart pounded. She finally realized what the role of the Saintess in the Deerfolk Tribe was. She gritted her teeth and wanted to walk out from her hiding spot.


    Meanwhile, the Saintess looked around the weary dock with a confused expression. She wondered why she was brought here by the elder. ording to her fellow kins, she was supposed to fulfill her duty at this very moment.


    "Eh, elder!? Why did you bring me here? What should I do?" The Saintess asked the elder, who merely maintained his silence. Another elder stepped up and responded to the confused young one. "You are to maintain silence and do your duty as the Saintess."


    Even though shocked by the cold words of the elder, the Saintess had no choice but to follow his words. After all, she was an obedient Saintess of the Deerfolk Tribe.


    "Oh, as expected, the quality of your offerings are better than other tribes." The colonial envoy smiled and walked towards the young Saintess. After arriving before her, he touched her fist and perversely nced at her body.


    "Ripe, young, and beautiful."


    "I''ll take this on-" Before the colonial envoy could continue, a voice resounded in the distance, bringing about the attention of everyone. They were surprised that someone could interrupt the envoy in such a disrespectful manner.


    The colonial envoy furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance and turned his gaze towards the direction of the voice. It was then he saw a human girl with the insignia of the wyvern riders.


    His annoyance immediately turned into astonishment as wyvern riders were bing rarer in the colonies as they have been called upon by the Colonial Dominion. The same could be said with the Magus. It was very clear that the Colonial Dominion was preparing something big.


    "Wyvern rider... What brings you here and why do you interrupt our rite?" The colonial envoy squinted his eyes and questioned the intruding girl. Even though she was a wyvern rider, he still had a job to do as the envoy.


    "Where are you bringing that girl?" Hermona questioned the envoy, as she needed to know the destination of the Saintess. The colonial envoy raised an eyebrow and promptly answered.


    "I will bring her to the domain of the colonial governor. He desires for young beastfolk girls." He answered as he didn''t think that it was a big deal. The wyvern rider should be nning to help them in their endeavors.


    After all, they were the warriors of humanity.


    When Hermona heard the words of the colonial envoy. She had a bad feeling inside her heart. She then took a deep breath and asked another question. "What happened to the previous Saintesses?"


    The colonial envoy became confused as to why she was asking so much questions. But since everyone seemed curious about the answer of such a question, he humblyplied with a grin.


    "What do you think happened to them? The colonial governor yed with them to his heart contents and threw them away when they became broken. It is an honor for the beastfolk to be used by our governor."


    The words of the colonial envoy sounded like insults to Hermona. She nced at the confused Saintess and imagined such horrifying fate befalling over the young one.


    As scenes of horror passed through her mind, it was at this moment, Hermona understood what she needed to do. She gazed at the colonial envoy with a calm gaze and said.


    "After spending time with them, I realized what I needed to do." Hearing her words, the colonial envoy was confused trying to make sense of her words.


    "I have to free them!" Mana exploded from the wyvern rider as countless fire arrow spell circles materialized behind her. Fire arrow was a basic spell for wyvern riders. It was something akin to a swordman''s sword.


    The colonial envoy finally understood what the wyvern rider meant and gritted his teeth. "Are you crazy! Betraying humanity and siding with these monsters! Have you thought of the consequences it would bring you?!"


    The words of the colonial envoy made sense, but she realized that she needed to stand up for something once in her life. And she finally understood where she needed to be.


    So, she didn''t desire hesitation at this very moment.


    She had made a choice.


    "Fire arrows!" Hermona ordered and countless fire arrows propelled themselves to the guards and the colonial envoy. The envoy ran with his life, while the guards sprinted towards the wyvern rider.


    Unfortunately for them though, they were toote.


    The fire arrows pierced through their bodies, instantly burning through them like hot knife through butter. Regardless of their armor, the colonial guards fell in an instant.


    Beside the ramp of the medieval brig was the colonial envoy crawling towards it. He was barely alive and feel death creeping into him.


    Hermona stood beside the envoy and burned his body into dust. He looked at the ship and did the same. The giant medieval ship was set aze as fiery mes consumed everything in its path.


    The elders were horrified at what the wyvern rider had done, but the young beastfolks felt hope and respect.


    "Don''t just stand there. Clean up the mess and let''s have a meeting." Hermona ordered the young men, who happily obliged. She then coldly gazed at the elders, though sighed after a short while.


    "We have rebelled."

 Chapter 117: | 117 | Who do you ask for freedom?

    In the Deerfolk Tribe within the archipgo colony, silence shrouded thend while the beastfolk gathered around in a single spot. Within its center was a human girl, a brave one in the hearts of the deerfolk.


    Moments ago, this young girl fought against their oppressors giving them a tinge of hope inside their hearts. They now sought for liberation, their freedom.


    "What have you done, Hermona?! You have doomed us all!" One of the elders cried out in despair while the others followed suite. The fact that they had just killed a colonial envoy meant that their tribe would sooner orter disappear from the face of the earth.


    "I apologize if what I had done had wrong you, but I can''t simply watch everything unfold." Hermona responded to the elders and continued. "As ironic as it is, I desire for freedom and I''m sure everyone of you wishes for the same."


    She looked at the surrounding beastfolk who didn''t utter replies. But with their determined gaze, she understood that they desired the same as her.


    "Those from the colony are oppressing us from our rights of this world. We are free, not some animals to be shackled somewhere for their use." Hermona uttered with confidence.


    "Everyone in this world is free. Those that oppress their freedom are tyrants and oppressors. So, let me ask you one question. What do we do with oppressors and tyrants?" She questioned the beastfolks around her.


    None of them replied until Hermona asked again.


    "What do we do against oppression and its tyrants?" Her words resounded throughout the silence, causing some beastfolks to reply.


    "Fight!"


    "Resist!''


    "Liberate!"


    "That''s right! We mustn''t stand still and let them reap us for their benefits. In this world, we are free and we must fight for our freedom. Without it, we are nothing more but helpless creatures." Hermona''s words inspired the young deerfolks.


    It was akin to the covenants of the prophet slowly engraving itself to their entire being.


    The elders noticed the changing atmosphere of the tribe and understood that the greater opinion of the deerfolks were morphing. Even though they were afraid of the future, they also felt hope for the first time.


    "But to fight against our oppressors, we must have one thing in our grasps. And that is power! With enough power, they would be willing to listen to us. If they don''t, we will be making sure that they listen." As the words of Hermona echoed, the deerfolks became riled up.


    "We must fight!"


    "For our freedom!"


    "Take them down!"


    Seeing the deerfolks regained their lost confidence, Hermona beamed a smile and signaled them to quiet down. The young deerfolks followed as they already saw Hermona as their de facto leader.


    "At the moment, we don''t have power, so we need to be careful. The first thing we need to do is take down their ships." She presented a strategy for them to use. It was none other than raiding nearby ships for supplies and possibly armaments.


    "Luckily for us, most Magus and wyvern riders have been called to the Colonial Dominion, which means that we have a chance." They were also lucky about the changing sociopoliticalndscape of the sea region of Terra.


    "After raiding their ships, we will try liberating other tribes from their tyranny. With more numbers, our raiding operations would growrger." Hermona didn''t want to directly confront the colony. After all, no matter howrge their numbers were.


    They were no match against the local colonial navy.


    "Have you thought about allying with the heretics of humanity?" One of the young deerfolks raised their hands and suggested an idea. Hermona raised an eyebrow as this was the first she had ever heard of heretics.


    "Please exin, I haven''t heard of any heretics in my experience." She wanted the young deerfolk to expunge more information about the so-called heretics.


    "While the colonial guards were talking with one another as they dragged the wooden crates, I heard them talking about heretics making the Colonial Dominion nervous."


    "ording to them, the heretics have the Dragon of the Revolting Tide in their side. Not only that, they also have powerful warships that even the war masters are having a difficult time fighting against."


    As the deerfolk exined, many beastfolks became amaze of the heretics. They didn''t think that there would be others like them fighting against the oppressors.


    On the other hand, Hermona finally realized what the young deerfolk meant after making a connection inside her mind. It was none other than the ones that killed the entirety of her squadron.


    To be honest, she didn''t know what to feel about them, but she remembered them rescuing ves from a merchant ship. So, perhaps, them being allies might not be out of the possibility.


    ''Wait, don''t they have Crassus''s runicmunicator? Perhaps, I can connect mine to it and talk with them.'' Hermona thought to herself even though it wasn''t a clear idea.


    She wasn''t confident that they would side with the deerfolk tribe, but it was something they could try. She wasn''t against it, and maybe it could make their chances against the colony greater.


    "Thank you for telling me about these heretics. I''ll try talking to them, proposing a possible alliance." She expressed to the young deerfolks who merely nodded their heads in understanding.


    "I''ll go for now. Prepare yourselves, we''ll start raiding our first ship in the following hours." Hermona ordered and headed back to her tribal home. After returning to a small wooden house, she opened a small crate and took the remaining things that signified her identity as a wyvern rider.


    Along with them was the runicmunicator. Even though she could use it to call for help, she never bothered to as her life with the deerfolk tribe was already satisfying enough for her.


    Hermona held the runicmunicator in her pale fingers and took a deep breath. She hoped that she wasn''t making a mistake by calling them.


    She looked at the runicmunicator with an intense gaze and finally called for Crassus''s frequency. And it didn''t take long before someone from the other side picked it up.


    "It''s been a while since someone called from this runicmunicator. How about you introduce yourself?" A calm voice escaped the confines of themunicator, causing the wyvern rider to feel a bit anxious.


    These were the people that immediately massacred her squadron without a tinge of mercy, so she was a bit fearful of them. After all, she barely survived from their attack. On the other hand, her colleagues became burnt pieces of flesh in mere moments.


    "I am Hermona, from a colony situated in an archipgo." She finally responded to the voice from the other side.


    "Okay, Hermona. Judging from the way you speak, you seem like a human. Am I wrong?" The calm yet inquisitive voice echoed throughout her house.


    "Yes, I am a human." Out of instinct, Hermona answered honestly as though she was speaking with her superiors.


    "Hmm... A human. Why have you called me? Are you from the Colonial Dominion?" The voice questioned her identity and the faction she was part of. Hermona took another breath and replied. "I was from the Colonial Dominion.


    I am now part of the Deerfolk Tribe in the archipgo colony."


    "Deerfolk Tribe? A human being part with a tribe of beastfolks? Interesting... This is the first I have ever heard of it. Please continue, Hermona. Why have you called for Crassus''s runicmunicator?" It seemed utterly surprised by what she had replied.


    "I called because I knew that you would be the one receiving it. I have led the deerfolks to a rebellion against the colony. It barely has any powerful defenders as various Magus and wyvern riders have been called upon the Colonial Dominion."


    "I want to propose an alliance between us to liberate more tribes in the archipgo colony." Hermona calmly exined to the voice from the other side.


    "I see... So, you are leading a rebellion. And in the archipgo colony? It looks like you are quite lucky. But before we ept your proposal for an alliance, we would like to confirm your words. Are you against it?" The voice inquired, to which Hermona shook her head and uttered.


    "No, you can confirm my words however you want."


    "Alright, Hermona. I''ll send a Special Response Unit to your location. Could you ping it to me through the runicmunicator?" Hermona followed the voice and pinged their location to the other side.


    "Thank you for yourpliance, expect to receive them in a few hours."


    Meanwhile, in the branch office building of the Port of Dawn. Abrahamid the runicmunicator to his desk and felt like he had just be like an office worker in his previous life. It was a strange experience, not befitting of a fleet admiral.


    ''Should I have been more cold ormanding? Nah, that wouldn''t do good for our image.'' He shook his head as the United Navy were protectors. There was no need for them to act dominating to be powerful. After all, they already were.


    "Nheless, it looks like the Special Response Unit got their first mission for the uing operation." He muttered to himself before making a call.


    The former mission of the Special Response Unit was to rile up the tribes to start a rebellion. It appears that there was no need for them to do so. The only thing that was needed to be done was assisting the rebels in their endeavors.


    And this would be the new mission of the Special Response Unit.

 Chapter 118: | 118 | Operation Storming Freedom

    Inside the fleet admiral''s office residing within the branch office building of the Port of Dawn, Abraham found himself in a peculiar situation. When he told them about what had previously happened with his call in the runicmunicator, they began staring at him with dumbfounded expressions.


    "Fleet Admiral, I believe you should regard to your safety first before doing anything." Vice Admiral Charlotte suggested as magicraft had strange abilities that not even them mightprehend.


    "A random woman talking to him?" The Dragoness Lace raised an eyebrow with an expression of scrutiny, though Mercedes thankfully saved the fleet admiral by adding some information.


    "From the conversation between the two of them, I believe that the woman was asking for assistance in her rebellion against the archipgo colony." Mercedes rified.


    "Isn''t this good then? Our target is that colony, and with the tribes brewing trouble inside. The uing operation would go smoothly without any problems." Lace''s former thoughts of destroying someone''s head faded and was in agreement with the subject of alliance.


    "The problem is the identity of this woman." Charlotte uttered, causing Lace to look at her with a questioning face. The vice admiral merely shook her head and continued.


    "Her identity isn''t some random beastfolk who wants some liberation, but a human girl." Hearing the words of Charlotte, the dragoness was deeply shocked.


    A human girl trying to liberate beastfolk tribes? It was akin to hearing a hero from a fairytale. It simply wasn''t possible in her eyes.


    "A-Are you sure about that?" Lace inquired, causing both the vice admiral and fleet admiral to nod their heads.


    With their confirmation, the dragoness was in a state in disarray. Though, it didn''t take long before she could recover from it and regained her rity that was lost from the previous shock.


    "Abraham, is she to be trusted?" The dragoness questioned the fleet admiral, who softly smiled and responded. "I know she''s to be trusted, but the United Navy needs actual evidence for them to ept it."


    "That''s why I''m sending one of your teams into the ind to check things out. If it was a trap, they could easily get out of trouble with their superior physiques."


    "But I''m not sending your subordinates into a suicide mission. The reason why I''m confident is that one of the information she had told me had already been confirmed." Abraham uttered and brought out a file.


    The vice admiral and the dragoness nced at the file, reading its name.


    "Ever since the end of Operation Phantom Liberation, I have been investigating the activities of the Colonial Dominion. One of the many things I have discovered is that they are recalling their forces scattered throughout the sea region of Terra."


    "This was something that the girl told me through the runicmunicator." Abraham brought up a good point and continued. "Her rebellion could easily grow stronger without our help, but that wouldn''t be enough to take care of the main colony in the archipgo."


    "That''s the reason why she brought up an alliance between her forces and ours." The fleet admiral took out another file as he brought out many more ns heid out with the help of Systema.


    "The following operation will be Operation Storming Freedom. Our target is the colony in the archipgo. Their forces are deeply weakened as the number of wyvern riders and Magi are lesser than half."


    "In this operation, the United Navy will be deploying the UNS Light bringer and UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. After much thought, these warships are confirmed to be enough for the mission."


    "There are also more operations targeting the northern, southern, western, and eastern colonies scattered throughout our sea region."


    "The red fleet and the UNS Trinity of Sce will take care of the north. While the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, and the main forces of the Special Response Unit will be handling the south."


    "While the Colonial Dominion gather its forces, we will take down its colonies one by one and liberate more beastfolks along the way." Abraham concluded his long exnation, which brought silence into the room.


    None of them had thought that their fleet admiral would unload surging intelligence to them at breakneck speed. He was supposed to be thex one, how could he betray them.


    At any rate, Charlotte was the first one that recovered from Abraham''s surprise attack and remarked to the information at hand.


    "Since the colonies have been weakened, you want to strike while the iron is hot."


    Hearing her words, Abraham nodded in agreement and expressed his thoughts about it. "I n to stay in the Port of Dawn, managing the wider scope of operations."


    "I''m nning to have you with the red fleet in the north, Charlotte. You''ll bemanding them, along with the UNS Trinity of Sce as your battleship."


    "While most of the United Navy are out. The Port of Dawn will be at its weakest state. You shouldn''t be staying in this ind like cattle." Lace understood what Abraham was trying to do.


    "That is a risk I''m willing to take, Lace. The operation must be managed in this ind where long-rangemunication are extremely developed. With the help of the intelligence officers in themand center, I''ll be able to manage the war-effort without much dy."


    "This is something that I must do, especially as the fleet admiral of the United Navy." When she heard Abraham''s determined words, Lace couldn''t utter a single word.


    She knew that it would be useless against her man, who was incredibly hardheaded when making a serious decision.


    "Anyhow, Mercedes... I will be sending you along with a team from the Special Response Unit to the colony in the archipgo. You will be confirming the status of the deerfolk tribe and its human rebel."


    "If you confirmed their status as good, then therger operation will begin. The strategies have been sent to themanding officers involved, so there''s no need for you to worry about it."


    Abraham turned his gaze to Mercedes and exined what she needed to do in Operation Storming Freedom. Mercedes saluted to the fleet admiral and replied. "I shall follow yourmand, Fleet Admiral."


    "I''ll make sure the sess of the operation."


    "Good, I will be expecting news from you. But be sure to be cautious and careful. Machinery,nd, and wealth can be regained. However, once lost, you could never get your life again." Abraham remarked, wanting the wolf beastfolk to be careful.


    "I shall do so," Mercedes nodded and felt somewhat delighted to be considered as someone important to the fleet admiral.


    Lace then ced her hand on Abraham''s wooden desk and uttered. "I''llplete the mission as fast as possible, Abraham. So, tuck in and take care. Anything can happen, especially when those Magus don''t y fair."


    "Understood, Lace." Abraham nodded in understanding and didn''t want to rile up the dragoness anymore. Even though he thought of it as a bit too much to expect an assassination.


    Especially, when the Colonial Dominion will be busy hearing the news of several of their colonies being turned upside down. But it was better to be cautious than not. Lest, shall he regret it.


    It didn''t take long before their discussion ended and the group dispersed. The fleet admiral was left alone in his office, while preparations of Operation Storming Freedom was at full motion.


    ...


    20 kilometers from the archipgo colony, an Osprey was piercing through the skies heading to its destination. Inside the aircraft was the reconnaissance team of the Special Response Unit, led by First Lieutenant Mercedes.


    In the reconnaissance team of the SRU werebined members of veterans and the newly-recruited Minokins. There was also Lieutenant Espada with them, acting as the second inmand.


    When the Osprey reached a dozen kilometers away from SRU''s designatednding zone, Mercedes stood up and looked at the team under hermand. She squinted her eyes and uttered.


    "You have already been brief regarding your uing mission. But as per protocol, I shall debrief you again. Our mission is intelligence and status confirmation of the rebels in an ind under the control of the colony."


    "We will only directly make contact with them once their status has been confirmed by the intelligence department. Following the confirmation will be the beginning of Operation Storming Freedom."


    "Our team will lead the rebels to liberate more beastfolk tribes scattered throughout the colony, while the fleet will sail to the heart. We will not partake in the main battlefront unless ordered so. Make sure to control yourself, otherwise you will meet your consequences."


    "You are part of the Special Response Unit, under the directmand of the Dragon Lace, and the authority of Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. We are the warriors of the United Navy, and shall fight against even the strongest enemies."


    Mercedes''s short speech ended when the red luminescent light of the Osprey''s interior turned green. The personnel under hermand stood up and saluted to her before preparing for deployment.


    Seeing this, the typically cold beastfolk smiled and reminded them of one important thing.


    "But remember! Victories can be reim, but your lives will forever be lost once you die. Be sure to not act foolishly during the mission, and take care of yourselves."


    After uttering such words, the Osprey''s ramp slowly opened, lightening up the interior of the aircraft. It slowly revealed an ind below them as winds surged out into the open.


    *This is Candor 1, personnel are clear for release!*


    When the Special Response Unit heard the confirmation of the pilots, they immediately hopped off the aircraft without any hesitation or dy and went freefalling in the blue skies.

 Chapter 119: | 119 | Status Confirmation

    Within the Deerfolk Tribe, Hermona stood in the docks watching several beastfolks preparing a light and fast sailing ship. In order to start raiding for armaments and supplies, they needed to be quick and immediate, not giving their opponents time to react.


    But as she observed them in silence. She couldn''t help but remember the conversation she had with the big man of the United Navy. He soundedx, but was inquisitory. Each of his words were asking some sort of information from her.


    And she had no choice but toply.


    ording to him, a task force should be sent to confirm what she had said. She didn''t hesitate to believe his words. After all, for some reason, she had been feeling the stare of someone else.


    It was an instinct she had received as a wyvern rider, so she trusted it with her life.


    The fact that they arrived mere hours after their conversation meant that the so-called heretics were already targeting the colony all along. They were merely part of the gears that would start the machine.


    She didn''t know if she should fear such proposition or not, but there was one thing that was clear to the wyvern rider. The United Navy were certainly capable, which meant that the fall of the colony might not be so far in the future.


    "Lady Hermona, we have prepared the needed arsenal to start raiding. Our best sailors have aboard the ship and are waiting for you to takemand." One of the young deerfolks reported to the wyvern rider.


    She looked at him, and noticed his anxious expression. This made her squint her eyes as she understood that something was amiss.


    "Thank you for your assistance," But she merely nodded in gratefulness and walked towards their raiding ship. The young beastfolk could only observe with worry as she walked away from him.


    As Hermona arrived before the ship, she noticed the unnatural silence. She furrowed her eyebrows as she practically realized what was happening in front of her.


    "There''s no need for such intricate and useless schemes. You all must be the ones sent by the United Navy to investigate the matters of the tribe."


    After she uttered her words, several figures emerged in front, beside, and behind her. It seems that she was surrounded, but she maintained her calm and determined expression.


    "Apologies for the trouble, Miss Hermona. We are the reconnaissance team sent by the United Navy to confirmed the status of this ind and its inhabitants." Hermona heard the aloof words, causing her to gaze towards it.


    She then saw a white-wolf beastfolk, who was somewhat beautiful even to a human like Hermona. The most interesting part of the beastfolk was her clothing, akin to a ck military-leather suit.


    "I thought it was mere rumors, but it seems that beastfolks have allied themselves to the United Navy." She muttered while looking at Mercedes. Her words were clearly heard, making the beastfolk remark.


    "We were merely liberated, and shall continue to do so."


    "At any rate, we have done our observations these past few hours, Miss Hermona. Naturally, this was under the direct orders of our fleet admiral." Mercedes expressed, while Hermona raised an eyebrow.


    "And, are you satisfied with your observations?" Hermona questioned, wanting to know the thoughts of the other side.


    "That is ssified, but we will be assisting you in your activities as raiding rebels." Mercedes didn''t answer her question and merely said what they would be doing with her.


    "Even though I''d like you to be honest, I guess we really aren''t in equal terms so I''ll shut my mouth." Hermona mumbled to herself and walked towards the raiding ship where most of her crew were conversing with Minokins.


    It was an intriguing sight that made her wryly smile.


    "Alright, this newly-arrived team will be assisting us in our raiding activities. They are allies, and I hope that the rtionship between the two of us foster." Hermona uttered to her crew and the reconnaissance team.


    While she was giving her speech, Mercedes observed in the sidelines. Even though it was peculiar for a human girl to be leading a beastfolk tribe. After observing Hermona, Mercedes understood the reason why.


    She had the qualities of a leader, something severelycking in the Deerfolk Tribe.


    Mercedes had already heard about how she burned an entire medieval brig to save the so-called Saintess. She even killed the supposed colonial envoy and his guards, creating the first rebellion in the colony of the archipgo.


    ''But a wyvern rider. How did shee ashore to this ind? Perhaps, there is much more that we should know about this strange human girl.'' Mercedes quietly thought to herself and closed her eyelids.


    She remembered the previous moments where she called the fleet about the status confirmation.


    ...


    Mercedes stopped observing Hermona who was leading the preparation of the raiding party. She nced at her team beside her and the unusually silent Espada.


    The status of the ind and its inhabitants had been confirmed.


    A human girl was leading them and they were wholeheartedly supporting it.


    "Do you find it strange, Espada?" Mercedes softly inquired to the giant Minokin, who merely grunted in response before answering her inquiry.


    "I have noticed that this tribeck anyone with the qualities of a leader. I supposed that this colony have done a better job at culling future rebels from their inds. Nheless, in desperate times, she stood against the oppressing force."


    "Even if she was a human, she had done something that they couldn''t do. It gave them hope for their freedom, making her the one that holds their torch. A patriot."


    "As such, as peculiar as it might seem, I don''t find it strange." Espada''s answer made a lot of sense and opened a lot of ideas inside Mercedes''s head. It appears that there was a reason why he was the former warchief of the Minokin Tribe, or the now called the State of Minos.


    "I guess you are correct about that."


    "Now that we have confirmed their status, it''s about time to contact the fleet." Mercedes took out a radio and opened amunication line.


    Meanwhile, in the seas beside the archipgo colony was the piercing formation of ships, the temporary fleet, Storm. Inside the fleet was the UNS Light Bringer and the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    Inside thebat information center of the UNS Light Bringer was Captain Lux, the first captain of the United Navy.


    "Sir, the reconnaissance team has opened amunication line. Requesting for connection." Amunication operator reported, causing the captain to nodded in agreement and respond.


    "Connect, and have them in our speakers."


    "Affirmative, Captain Lux." Themunication operator swiftly began operating thems and connected the line to the onboard speakers.


    *ZZZzzzzz... This is Lieutenant Mercedes of the Special Response Unit Reconnaissance Team, please respond.*


    Mercedes''s words echoed throughout thebat information center, while the captain of the UNS Light Bringer replied. "Communication open to UNS Light Bringer."


    "Lieutenant, has the status been confirmed?" He calmly inquired while gazing through the screens disyed by their drones


    *Captain Lux, status is confirmed. The Deerfolk Tribe are now rebelling against the colony and its leader is a human girl. We will be advancing to phase two of Operation Storming Freedom, thereby assisting the rebels.*


    *The fleet is free to sail towards the heart of the colony.*


    Hearing the confirmation of Lieutenant Mercedes, Captain Lux grinned and felt excitement in his heart. He looked at his intelligence officers and ordered.


    "Send this information to our data link. Set our course to the colonial center of this archipgo and prepare for battle!"


    "Lieutenant Mercedes, take care of yourselves and your mission. We will be relying in your assistance in the battle." Captain Lux uttered through thems.


    *We shall not fail, Captain Lux. After all, we are the Special Response Unit of the Fleet Admiral and the Dragoness.* Captain Lux smiled after hearing what she had said as the transmission closed.


    Back to the ind, Mercedes turned off the radio and nced at her men.


    "Let''s meet with this rebel leader of ours for phase two."


    ...


    In the present, the reconnaissance team was currently sailing with the raiding team of the Deer Folk Tribe. Their mission, with the help of the map looted from the colonial envoy, was to attack the merchantnes of the archipgo.


    ording to the map, the archipgo had a busy sea. Business was practically booming with various exploited tribes elerating it.


    The reconnaissance team stood in the bow as they maintained contact with the fleet. From their messages, it seems that the fleet was mere 50 kilometers away from the main colony in the archipgo. It shouldn''t take long before the official battle of Operating Storming Freedom.


    "And it shouldn''t take long for ours too." Mercedes muttered to herself as she noticed a shadowy silhouette in the distance. It was none other than their target, a merchant ship.


    "Medieval brig detected 6 clicks in the east!" Espada shouted, bringing the attention of the crew and Hermona. All of the looked at the direction his eyes was pointed at and saw a ck dot.


    "Set our course to the east, sail at full colours." Hermona ordered the young deerfolks who immediately uncovered more of their sails. The helmsman turned the wheel, setting the ship to the east.


    Even though clearly inexperience, the deerfolks were swift.


    "Espada, it''s time to take that out." Mercedes ordered the giant Minokin, making him grin. After all, he was very excited from the weapon they were given by the United Navy.


    "I was wondering when you would order me to take it out." He remarked while taking out parts of the Anzio 20mm Vulcan from his bag.

 Chapter 120: | 120 | Operation Septentrionalist Libertas

    Sailing through the turbulent and far northern waters were the frigates of the United Navy and its capital battleship UNS Trinity of Sce. They were codenamed the temporary northern fleet, Libertas.


    Commanding the massive northern fleet was Vice Admiral Charlotte, the executive officer and the current temporarymanding officer of the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    Their mission was to liberate a northern colony that separated them and the Colonial Dominion of Terra. And they were fast approaching.


    ...


    In the bridge of the capital battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce. Charlotte observed several files in themand table recently delivered by various intelligence officers. Contained in these files were intelligence about the northern colony.


    "Hmm... A military fortress with dozens of battleships docked throughout its port. With an estimated military poption of over 10,000 personnel, it isn''t to be underestimated." She mumbled to herself as she thought about the strategy presented to her by Abraham.


    Military fortresses in the foreign world were highly protected with runic shields. Merely sending a missile strike to deal against the fortress would be wasteful. A strike force would have been preferable to take down the shields, but sadly...


    The Special Response Unit had their forces concentrated into the south.


    With this in mind, Abraham''s strategy was merely simple. It was to use the Trinity of Sce to pummel the northern colony''s shields into damnation. After all, as strong as their shielding was, it wouldn''t be strong enough to sustain constant shelling.


    The logic made sense, but it was an untested one.


    Though, it''s not like there was anything she could do about it.


    ''I''ll task the frigates with defending the UNS Trinity of Sce while it shells the military fortress. Afterward, they will begin the bombardment of the colony.''


    Charlotte quietly thought to herself and nodded in satisfaction. It was an adequate strategy at the moment.


    "But we are extremely lucky that the military fortress doesn''t contained ves or civilians of some sort. Otherwise, the operation would have beenplicate-" She muttered to herself, but was interrupted by a reporting intelligence officer.


    "Vice Admiral, we have detected a fleet heading our way." Hearing the words of the intelligence officer, Charlotte raised an eyebrow as she nced at him with a cold expression.


    "Is the airspace clear?" She inquired as enemy reconnaissance might have discovered them.


    The intelligence officer nodded since he had already checked the airspace before reporting to the vice admiral. Even he was astounded and wondered how they were discovered by their adversaries.


    "Then, how? Is magicraft at y again?" Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows as their surprise attack was rendered useless. There was also the fact that they didn''t notice they were discovered.


    If their adversaries hadn''t confronted them head-on, they would be unknowingly ying in the hands of their enemy. The fleet might have been ambushed out of nowhere.


    Thinking of the possibilities, Charlotte felt cold and dered


    "Prepare for battle! All personnel to your battle stations!" When the naval personnel heard her deration. They began moving swiftly and scattered the announcement of the vice admiral.


    "How far are our adversaries?" She inquired the intelligence officer, who promptly answered. "116 clicks, estimated time for contact is 40 minutes."


    "That''s enough time. Prepare the Vertical-Launching Systems for first strike! I want them ready in a minute." Charlotte ordered while the intelligence officer nodded and saluted to the vice admiral.


    "Affirmative! We will contact the surrounding frigates!"


    After saluting to Charlotte, the intelligence officer walked away to do what he was ordered to do while the others gathered every data they had regarding the iing fleet.


    Vice Admiral Charlotte calmly observed the situation at hand and realized that she hated the variable called magicraft. It was too unexpected, and could be exploited for a greater-kind of warfare.


    It was unfortunate that they didn''t have magicraft on their own. Otherwise, there would have been no need for them to be extremely cautious while sailing through the seas.


    "What is the number of warships in the fleet?" She questioned the radio operator, who immediately answered. "We have detected two dozens ofrge warships, suspected to be battleships."


    "And the-" The radio operator stopped reporting as he noticed the enemy fleet disappeared from the radar system. He furrowed his eyebrows and understood what it meant.


    "Vice Admiral!"


    "I know, send my live feeds of our surrounding waters. Inspect for any distortion." Charlotte ordered her intelligence officers, and they immediately discovered the distortion.


    "Spatial distortion 360 degrees, south of our heading." One of the intelligence officers reported, making Charlotte looked at the monitor and mumble. "An ambush, huh?"


    "Tell the frigates to prepare for weapon release." She coolly ordered and continued. "Contact the fire control personnel, have them get our port-side naval gun ready."


    Themunication operators and intelligence officers nodded after they heard of her orders. Themunication operators sent her orders to the nearby frigates, while the intelligence officers contacted the fire control personnel.


    It didn''t take long until the spatial distortion was reced by the adversary fleet. Charlotte observed them through the monitor and understood that this would be a troublesome battle.


    ''I can''t believe that I''m wishing for the problem dragon to be with me.'' She quietly thought to herself. Though, a momentter, she shook her head and regained her calm.


    She acted as though her previous thoughts hadn''t taken ce inside her head.


    Meanwhile, behind the temporary fleet, Libertas, was the enemy fleet of the northern colony. It was called Custos, the guardian fleet of the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    Inside the captain''s quarters of the leading battleship was the fleetmander, Ignus. He was an old bald man wearing a ck eye-patch of his left eye. His eyes radiated a hawk-like stature, akin to his scrutinizing nature.


    "The Ostrum Colony is the gate of the Colonial Dominion, separating it from therger sea region. It must not fall, no matter what!" He uttered with his stern voice before standing up.


    "The heretics of humanity have sent their harbingers, and it is our duty as the guardian fleet of the Colonial Dominion to banish these traitors from the world." The fleetmander walked out of his captain''s quarters.


    As he stepped out, several dark-cloaked figures surrounded him. They were part of the Inquisition, a special-type of Magus, the Inquisitors.


    "It appears that you were right about what heretic''s fleet. But nheless, I can''t believe that the Inquisitors are involving themselves in this matter. Here I thought you would be busy dealing with elves, or the protonians."


    The fleetmander remarked to the hooded figures before him. Even though they surrounded his entirety, hecked fear on his face, signifying his experience as the fleetmander of the guardian fleet.


    "The Colonial Dominion stands as the gateway of Europa to the Ferus Sea. It can''t simply fall because of some traitors and rebels." One of the dark-cloaked men expressed, while slowly taking out their hood.


    What emerged was a handsome man with pale-like skin and blonde hair.


    "Then, the Sovereigns must be interested of the United Navy." Ignusmented while turning his gaze to the metal fleet in front of them. He felt that even with the Inquisitors, the battle would be difficult and costly.


    "Perhaps, they are. The so-called United Navy, a faction of traitorous humans with technology more advance than the dwarves. The fact that they appeared out of nowhere in the sea region of Terra meant that there is something intriguing about their origins."


    The blonde Inquisitor merely smiled at the fleetmander. Although, Ignis didn''t feel delighted to be smiled at by some inquisitor. After all, they were monsters in human bodies.


    The orders of the Sovereigns were their covenants, which meant that they would massacre a human city if the Sovereigns ordered them to do so. Though, it''s not like anyone can simply reject orders from the Sovereigns.


    "I guess you''re right about that. I''m also a bit curious about the United Navy. They are humans, but a lot more humane than us." The fleetmander remarked, causing the blonde Inquisitor to squint his eyes.


    "What makes you say so?" He questioned, while Ignis merely sighed and uttered.


    "You call them traitors and heretics because you think they are, I call them as such because it is my duty. This world isn''t bounded by the rights and wrongs. I hope you inquisitors understand that."


    Hearing the words of the fleetmander, the blonde Inquisitor didn''t give Ignis anymore questions. This made the old man to shake his head and walk towards the bow of his battleship.


    "I heard that the United Navy has a fleet that made Principatus Humanum retreat. I guess this will be a challenge for my fleet, Custos. I hope that it would be a worthy one." Ignis smirked while staring at the fleet of metallic warships.


    On the other hand, in the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Charlotte gazed at the enemy fleet before squinting her eyes. The edges of her lips then rose as she grinned at the giant medieval battleships.


    "It has been a while since I fought in this battleship. I was wondering where or when I''ll ever sink warships to the deepest depths of the ocean. It seems that I have been given a god-given opportunity."


    "Oh, my... How praiseworthy."


    From the looks of it, there was a reason why Charlotte became the youngest vice admiral in history.


    ...


    Nevertheless, the northern seas would soon be riddled with thunderous explosions, fiery mes, and suffocating deaths. A stormy battlefield amidst the turbulent waters.

 Chapter 121: | 121 | Anticipated Times

    In the rough waters of the archipgo colony, a lone merchant ship steadily floated through the tide. The medieval brig came from a nearby Colonial Dominion and was intending to buy high-quality ves from the colony.


    Unfortunately for them, though...


    They were raided by the rebels of the Deerfolk Tribe and their unknown contemporaries.


    "P-Please don''t kill me!" Surrounded with the corpses of his guards was the foreign merchant. His expression of disbelief uttered horror from what had recently happened to his merchant ship.


    "Don''t worry, as long as you cooperate, you won''t be killed." Mercedes expressed while she tilted her head with a smile following it. On her hand was a knife pointed at his throat, an obvious intimidation.


    Hermona stood on the side while the young deerfolks took the supplies and gold stored in the brig. She looked at the merchant with a determined expression, though in her heart, she found it difficult to be now actually against humanity.


    ''There''s no going back. After what I had done and after choosing this path... I can only see the end of it.'' She shook her head and got rid of her merciful thoughts.


    After all, they needed information from the merchant.


    "W-What d-do you want from me!?" The merchant cried out as he was willing to give anything to the silver wolf beastfolk as long as she let him lived.


    "It''s nothing muchpared to your life. I want to know more routes regarding your merchant friends. Especially those carrying armaments to the colony." The edges of Mercedes''s lips rose while her eyes squinted.


    "B-But, I c-can''t do that... The merchant association would hunt me dow-" The merchant stammered before his ear was cut by Mercedes''s knife, causing him to cry out in pain.


    "Aarggh!!!"


    "Let me remind you once again. Either you speak or you pay for your life." Mercedes coldly reminded the merchant as she wasn''t interested in wasting her time ying with him.


    "O-Oka -Okay! I''ll speak! Please don''t kill me, I don''t want to die!" He begged for his tears as countless tears streamed out of his eyes, drenching his terrified face.


    "Don''t keep me waiting." She aloofly remarked, making the merchant''s spine shiver.


    "T-The merchant routes in this archipgo are in this map. Al-Although they would be useful for pirates as the navy would usually patrol these waters." The merchant took out a small yet detailed map from his pocket.


    It was a treasure as his business heavily relied on routes. And mapping such routes required lots of resources that even money couldn''t buy.


    "Isn''t it much better to be immediatelypliant. You wouldn''t have lost an ear." Mercedes took the little map and shook her head in disappointment. She stopped pointing her knife to the merchant''s neck and stood up.


    "Alright, treat him and make sure to imprison him tightly. He''s a merchant from a nearby Colonial Dominion, so we can gain a lot of intelligence from his brain." Mercedes pointed at her head and nced at her men behind her.


    "Affirmative, First Lieutenant Mercedes." The Minokin saluted while the remaining personnel of the Special Response Unit looted the entirety of the medieval brig. They didn''t leave anything useful behind.


    Hermona took notice of this trait and wondered if they were secretly pirates all along. At any rate, she thought about the moment when Mercedes immediately took out several guards with ease.


    Even she couldn''t move that fast, making her impress of the amazing physique that Mercedes had


    "Miss Hermona, we got the routes we need to continue our raids. Would you like to continue?" Mercedes inquired while ying with the little map between her fingers. Hermona gazed at the silver wolf beastfolk and promptly nodded.


    "Let''s continue. I need the weapons one of these ships contains to kickstart the rebellion." The rebellion needed all the armaments it could get. And the only way for them to get it without facing the entirety of the local colonial navy was through raiding merchant ships.


    It wasn''t a pretty way to acquire weapons, but it was enough and satisfactory for their current circumstance.


    "Okay, since we''re merely tagging along. We''ll follow what ever ns you have in mind." Mercedes threw the little map to the youngdy who caught it with ease.


    On the other hand, the merchant finally noticed a human girl with these animals. He pointed at her in shocked and yelled out. "A-A traitor! How could yo-"


    The merchant couldn''t continue as he noticed Mercedes''s sharp gaze pointed at him. It was as if she was warning him. The moment he spoke another word from his filthy mouth. His head would fly off from his body.


    And this hidden warning was enough for the merchant.


    He shut his mouth and didn''t continue speaking despite his unremarkable opinion about Hermona helping the beastfolks in their rebellion.


    "Don''t bother much about what he''s talking about. His opinion is as worthless as the monster you had burned. The only reason we are keeping him alive is because of the information inside his head. So, the words of a dead man mean nothing."


    Mercedes remarked, causing Hermona to frown. Her shackled emotions were spilling as her anxiousness, fear, and lost was beginning to consume her.


    "-I... I am alone." She muttered under her silent breath, but the silver wolf beastfolk merely smiled from her words. Mercedes shook her head and rified to the wyvern rider.


    "No, you''re not. You aren''t the only human fighting against the tyranny of humanity. There are many others like you, and they were the ones that saved me." The words of Mercedes caused the flickering light inside Hermona''s heart to grow stronger.


    "You mean, them?" Hermona asked as she understood what Mercedes''s meant with her earlier words. Hearing the young girl''s question, the silver wolf smirked and replied.


    "That''s right... The United Navy."


    "The humans who we would fight to death for. The ones that saved us. The ones that liberated us. They are none other than the United Navy, and they will be the dominant force of the Ferus Sea."


    "The Sovereigns, the Beastfolk Primal Deities, or other races for that matter, are insignificant to uspared to them. We will make sure of their continued existence, as the beastfolks who were saved and liberated, it is our duty to do so."


    Mercedes''s short speech echoed throughout the medieval brig. It was a deration that made everyone stop moving a single muscle. The Minokins and beastfolks of the United Navy felt enlightened, while Espada chuckled.


    "The First Lieutenant is correct. The United Navy will be strongest, and we the beastfolks will make sure of it!" He also followed suite and dered without any hesitation or dy.


    Hermona felt amaze by the confident words of the beastfolks. The fact that they dered toy their lives for humans made her feel strange. It was somewhat delighting to realize the path she had to take wasn''t a road where she walked alone.


    "So, don''t worry about being alone, youngdy. You''re far from being alone." Mercedes grinned at Hermona as the breeze of wind ruffled her silver fur.


    ...


    In the turbulent northern waters beyond the horizon of Crescere, Charlotte stood in the bridge while it trembled and shook from surrounding explosions.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The naval guns were firing its entire salvo towards the enemy fleet. Some were avoided, but most impacted their targets. The shielding of the enemy battleships cracked upon contact, while others immediately copsed.


    Those copsed shields were immediately pummeled with missile strikes from surrounding frigates, who were also firing their respective naval guns towards the enemy battleships.


    "Vice Admiral, two enemy vessels have been confirmed sunk! Three are heavily damage from bombardment! The remaining vessels are scattering themselves!" An intelligence officer reported to themanding officer of the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    "Don''t hesitate! Keep up the bombardment. Don''t give them time to breath!" She ordered to her naval personnel, who followed with haste. Another salvo from the 16-inch naval guns followed.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    On the other hand, Fleet Commander Ignis was holding onto the railings as various explosions enveloped them. He gritted his teeth in annoyance as their adversary had too much firepower in their grasps.


    "Inquisitors! When will you make a move?" He yelled at the dark-cloaked men, who were maintaining the shields of the Ignis''s battleship. Otherwise, it would have been in the bottom of the abyssal depths with how much the UNS Trinity of Sce was bombarding it.


    "Don''t bother us, right now, old man! Your shields are only keeping up because of us. Avoid confrontation with their capital ship and give us a breather." The supposedly calm blonde Inquisitor was sweating from how much they had to repair the runic shielding array.


    ...


    Meanwhile, as the north and archipgo fought for dominance over their ind. In the south was a lone metallic warship sailing towards a southern colony rumored to be containing over tens of thousands of ves.


    The lone warship was the UNS Guardian of the High Seas,mandeered by Captain Howard.


    With the UNS Guardian of the High Seas was the main force of the Special Response Unit, numbering over a thousand. These beastfolks and humans were trained by the dragoness herself, signifying theirbat potency.


    But it makes one wonder... Where was the dragoness?


    Well, the answer to that question was fairly simple.


    In the bow of the giant metallic warship was a figure standing against the wind. Her white-hair swayed behind her back as her dark horns glimmered with ck luminescence.


    Her ck coat ruffled while her ck tails stood frozen. She calmly gazed into the horizon, with golden irises gleaming in brilliance.


    She was the Dragon of the United Navy, Lace, the Liberator.

 Chapter 122: | 122 | State of Affairs

    Inside the fleet admiral''s office was Abraham sorting through various documents given to him by the intelligence officers from themand center. Everything within the documents were confirmed intelligence and were already summarized at their best forms.


    And, to say the least, reading through the bulk of them was taxing even with the perk of recovery within Abraham''s body.


    ''But nheless, the intelligence officers did a good job in analyzing the information sent by our intelligence.'' Abraham thought to himself as he took a deep breath. Then, in the following moment, his face became cold.


    "It looks like we have attracted too much attention." He muttered as their battles would be harder in the not-so-far future. "Inquisitors, huh? Their quite troublesome."


    The inquisitors sent by the Sovereigns to check up the sea region of Terra and clean up its mess didn''t go unnoticed by the reconnaissance and intelligence gathering of the United Navy. Their existence were also confirmed through the naval battle in the north.


    ''It should be ongoing in this very moment.'' He thought while sighing to himself. Allocating resources was his job and he had failed miserably. He shouldn''t have underestimated their adversaries.


    "It was fortunate that I decided to send my battleship to the north. Otherwise, the Red Fleet alone would have a difficult time handling such troublesome opponents." Their enemies in the north was the so-called guardian fleet of the Colonial Dominion.


    It was assisted by the inquisitors of Europa, further increasing its threat.


    ''I hope that no more variables would emerge. Otherwise, I would have to forcibly call them back.'' He understood the problems of the United Navy retreating. It would mean that they wasted their supplies and their reputation as liberators would be somewhat tarnished.


    Though, luckily for the fleet admiral, it wasn''t all bad news for him.


    The forces he sent in the archipgo colony had been sessful in their endeavors. The reconnaissance team of the Special Response Unit had confirmed the validity of the rebellion and were currently assisting them.


    On the other hand, both the UNS Light Bringer and UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas were heading towards the heart of the colony. ording to various documents, they had begun conducting strategic strikes throughout the colony.


    This was further aided with the drones and aircrafts on the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas'' flight deck.


    "It looks like I wasn''t wrong about that girl. A human rebel, huh..." Abraham''s bad mood slowly faded as the existence of a human rebel meant that they weren''t alone in their path. Some humans must have been satisfied with the current way, and wanted change.


    They simply needed something to push them, and Abraham wanted it to be the United Navy.


    "And there is the southern colony." He mumbled before lightly chuckling at the unfortunate fate of the colony. One must not mistake his chuckle as considering the southern colony weak.


    No, it was the opposite. The southern colony was an incredibly strong powerhouse of the Colonial Dominion. It was the ve capital where enve beastfolks throughout the colonial dominion get sent before getting scattered through auctions.


    But nheless, even with the impressive military power of the colony, Abraham only sent a single warship to dispatch the colony. However, what mattered wasn''t the warship, but the one inside it.


    The Dragon of the United Navy, or so they call her. Personally, he calls her Lace. Well... He didn''t know why, but for some reason, he felt pride upon noticing such fact.


    At any rate, Lace was the strongest individual in the United Navy. Even Abraham himself acknowledge this simple fact. It was hard to deny the capability and power of the dragoness.


    So, he considered himself fortunate to have her as his lover.


    ''I guess I''ll spend time with her after this is over.'' He quietly thought and returned to his serious demeanor. he then got his attention pointed at the tasks he had received from Systema.


    These tasks were something he got during the nning of the three operations. The moment he thought of them, mechanical bells rang inside his mind following with three digital interfaces materialized before him.


    *Ding!*


    ¡ñ| Archipgo Freedom(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| In the archipgo consisting of a dozen inds, a colony has dominated over several tribes and are extorting them of resources while also oppressing their people. As the harbinger of liberty and freedom, the United Navy must liberate the archipgo from its tyrant colony. The requirements for sub-missionpletion is the dismantlement of the archipgo colony. (Reward: 2,000 Naval Points) |


    ¡ñ| Cracking Gate(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| Between the Port of Dawn and the Colonial Dominion of Terra is the gate. A fortress that stood as the shield of Terra and the symbol of its colonial might. This ind fortress is standing in the way of the United Navy''s liberation of the sea region. Destroy the fortress and crack the gate open for freedom to reach the doors of the Colonial Dominion.


    Requirement: Complete decimation of enemy fortress. (Reward: 3,000 Naval Points) |


    ¡ñ| ve Liberty(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| At the bottom of the map, south of Crescere, is the ve capital of the Colonial Dominion. Inside this colony are ves numbering in tens of thousands. It is the bane of liberty and freedom. Its unholy and evil light must be extinguish by the fires of the United Navy. Liberate the ves and cleanse the filthiness of the colony.


    Total liberation of the southern colony is the requirement forpletion. (Reward: 2,000 Naval Points) |


    These three Naval Tasks made it harder for Abraham to even think of abandoning them. After all, this was the first time such tasks with arge amount of Naval Points as rewards emerged. To him, it was a rare opportunity.


    "However, I can''t sacrifice them for rewards. Such rewards wouldn''t matter if I lost everything around me." He shook his head and expressed his true thoughts about the matter.


    Even though it was painful to lose arge amount of potential Naval Points, losing a vast amount of his men would cause him more pain. He would never forgive himself if he sent them to die for his greed.


    But before Abraham could continue thinking about the operations and the sub-missions that were given to him, an intelligence officer rushed into his office. She was heavily panting while holding a document between her pale fingers.


    The fleet admiral raised an eyebrow, wondering what made the intelligence officer act in such a terrible manner.


    "S-Sir! Reports havee from the State of Minos!" The intelligence officer uttered, causing Abraham to be astounded. He didn''t expect for the State of Minos to be the subject.


    "Continue," Abraham calmly said, calming the intelligence officer down. She properly tidied herself up and coolly reported to the fleet admiral as though her recent outburst hadn''t happened.


    "Fleet Admiral, the State of Minos have sent a report about an attack from the inquisitors. Fortunately, we have some of our United Army Forces stationed in the ind. They handled the inquisitors with the Anti-Magus Guns, but it required a lot of sacrifice."


    "Hundreds of Minokins have died from the inquisitors and a dozen of our men had met their end." The intelligence officer''s voice, though calm, wasced with sadness.


    Hearing about the unexpected news, Abraham clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Anger was brewing inside his heart as he didn''t expect for those bastards to attack the State of Minos.


    The fact that they killed hundreds of Minokins and dozens of his men meant that it was the failure of the United Navy. Not only that, but it was mere unnecessary casualties. The State of Minos wasn''t of military importance.


    This meant that the inquisitors were snuffing out their traces. And sooner orter... They might infiltrate the Port of Dawn and the Ind of Crescere.


    ''This is dangerous and troublesome.'' Abraham quietly thought before asking the intelligence officer a question. "What about their bodies?"


    "Luckily, their bodies have been recovered. They are mostly whole, other than obvious injuries from the inquisitors magical spells." The intelligence officer responded, which made Abraham a bit relieve.


    "Good, at least, we can give them a funeral they deserve." Abraham felt his mental health deteriorating, but he needed to keep up with the others. "And give the Minister of Minos my condolences of the tragedy."


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I shall do as ordered." The intelligence officer nodded and saluted to Abraham before leaving his office. After she left, silence followed, but was soon disrupted by a curse.


    "Damn it!"


    "These f*cktards!" Abraham was enraged, deeply angered by what they had done. These bastards really don''t have limits of what they could do. They don''t even care whether they kill civilians or soldiers.


    As long as it could hurt their opponent, they would be willing to do anything.


    "*Tsk!* I hate this." He managed to calm himself down and gazed through the window. He noticed the clouds darkening, making him mutter to himself. "Even the weather is trying to tell me something."


    "I guess I should listen." Abraham had a strange feeling of danger in his heart. This danger wasn''t connected to the United Navy or the beastfolks. It was entirely directed at himself.


    "A ravenous storm is brewing."


    "While we fight for liberty and freedom in the seas, it continues to get stronger. And it is directly above the United Navy, waiting to unleash its wrath." He watched the ck clouds where lightning sometimes shed by.


    "Sometimes, I wonder... What price I have to pay to make such dangerous storm disappear."

 Chapter 123: | 123 | The Fleet of Operation Storming Freedom

    Inside the rough waters of the archipgo, two metallic warships of the United Navy sailed through its tides, with ring authority. One warship was as sharp as a sword, while the other was a giant vessel with a flight deck on above.


    In their hull was their respective names, the UNS Light Bringer and the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    Within the tower bridge of the lightning carrier was itsmanding officer, Rear Admiral George. He stood quietly inside the bridge, gazing forward into the seemingly endless horizon.


    No one knew of his thoughts other than himself.


    But his trance state soon ended when an intelligence officer interrupted him. George turned his gaze towards the officer, wondering what they wanted to report.


    "Sir, we have receive reports from Flight Lightning." The intelligence officer calmly reported, making the rear admiral raise an eyebrow. The Flight Lightning was a group of six F-35 jets. He had recently deployed them to get the United Navy an air dominance over the airspace of the colony.


    "Continue," Rear Admiral George ordered the officer, who nodded in response. "Their reports are mostly about the activities of the main colony. They are currently preparing their battleships, and their shields have also been promptly activated."


    "The wyvern forces of the colony have been mostly wipe out due to the assault of our air force, and it seems that the enemy air forces merely consists of the wyvern riders." Thest words of the intelligence officer meant something important.


    With their high-technological aircrafts, maintaining air dominance over a region was practically not a problem. It was a good advantage to have as the one that controls the airspace, bes strongest yer in a war.


    "Good, that is a piece of good news. But their shielding capabilities will be a problem." George nodded in satisfaction, but furrowed his eyebrows as he thought about the runic shields of the colony.


    In simpler terms, they were extremely powerful. They might need to equip bunker busters into their F-35s to do damage to shielded targets. But it would have been better if they could destroy the shields instead.


    "I found their shields hard to believe when I first emerge from the light of our great fleet admiral. However, after looking at it myself, I understood why he somewhat respected our enemies despite their lower technological level." George muttered, realizing his mistake of underestimating them.


    "The variable of magicraft is too problematic to even dare toprehend. It may be the reason why it''s taking long for our research and development department to produce meaningful counter-force against such a variable."


    "But just because they are shielded, it doesn''t mean they are invulnerable. The fleet admiral has already demonstrated this fact, and he didn''t use any bunker busters to take care of the problem." He uttered with a tinge of zeal.


    "Sadly, however... This strategy is something we cannot replicate." George sighed with clear disappointment as he had high expectations of what he could in their operation.


    "The runic shielding of the colony is incrediblyplicated. Their shields are scattered, and their locations are well-hidden. It would require tons of investigation and reconnaissance to discover the position of these shields." The intelligence officer rified the words of the rear admiral.


    "That''s right... To defeat our adversaries in their so-called fortress, we have to do what is done throughout history." Rear Admiral Georgemented on the unoriginality of their strategy.


    Nheless, it was something that he and Captain Lux of the UNS Light Bringer had already agreed upon.


    "The colony must be blockaded by our naval forces until their sumb to our pressure. Our F-35s will destroy any battleship that dares to leave the protection of their so-called runic shields." George exined as he nced forward.


    The reason was simple. In the horizon was none other than the colony they nned to blockade. It was a colony with an interesting name, the archipgo colony of Eisenberg.


    The rear admiral watched the shadow of the colony in the horizon with scrutiny. It was a fairlyrge colony, but not inrge enough to bepared to the likes of the ind of Crescere or the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    Theirnd didn''t even surpass that of the State of Minos.


    But the power and authority of Eisenberg didn''t stem from the vastnds they had in their home ind, but the quantities of inds under their domination. There was a reason why it was considered an archipgo colony.


    "It seems that we have arrived." He muttered under his breath, expecting a lot from the colony of Eisenberg. Whether it''d be challenges, military power, or economic durability. George thought a lot about the archipgo colony.


    However, regardless of his expectations, he had a mission toplete.


    "It''s time to dismantle the colony."


    ...


    *This is Thunderbolt 1, observing designated targets.* In the skies above Eisenberg were metallic birds piercing through the skies, revolving around the ind like hawks stalking its prey.


    *Thunderbolt 1, this is Jaeger. Naval blockade of the adversary has begun, Actual is 5 clicks away from Sierra.* Following the transmission of Thunderbolt 1 was the response of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas.


    The naval blockade of the colony had been confirmed, signifying that it was time of phase two of Operation Storming Freedom to begin.


    *Affirmative, Jaeger. Lightning Flight has status confirmed of designated targets. Beginning phase two of Operation Storming Freedom.* Thunderbolt 1 then ended his transmission with Jaeger and began turning his gaze to the fortress-like city below.


    It was riddled with clear bubbles covered from the smoke of their recent ordnance.


    *Lightning Flight, Phase Two of Operation Storming Freedom has been confirmed. Beginning secondary strikes to designated targets.* After observing Eisenberg for a short moment, the pilot of Thunderbolt 1 reported their status to his Flight Team.


    *Affirmative, Thunderbolt 1!* *Copy, Thunderbolt 1!*


    *Understood, Thunderbolt 1!*


    Following the response of his Flight Team, the flight leader returned his attention to the colony and began turning his aircraft towards their designated targets.


    Their designated targets were the ports, ships, and military barracks.


    During their stalking moments of Eisenberg, they had already confirmed their designated targets and were merely awaiting orders. They had the privilege to bide their time as the airspace was theirs to fly into.


    The wyvern force of the colony had already been wiped out in the initial assault of Operation Storming Freedom.


    The Lightning Flight then changed their course towards the port of Eisenberg where dozens of battleships anchored themselves. Over a thousand enemy personnel were preparing for the deployment of their battleships.


    Sadly for them... They simply didn''t have enough time to do so.


    *Opening Bunker Busters... Weapon Release in 3...2...1...* At that moment, therge missile below the aircraft''s airframe was released into the air, immediately piercing through the skies.


    The bunker buster fell from the heavens, like an unstoppable guillotine. It sliced through the air with hammering weight before hitting the shielded port of Eisenberg.


    And it impacted.


    *BAM!*


    It smashed through the runic shielding like ss andnded directly in the port. The Bunker Buster was set in a timer, so... It only took mere seconds before it happened.


    The port of Eisenberg became engulfed by a gleaming light with the radiance of the sun. What followed the ever-glowing brilliance was the shockwave that sted through the wooden docks of the port of Eisenberg.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The explosion echoed throughout the colony as it was an incredibly powerful weapon that was meant for deep and underground fortresses in the former world.


    The pilot of Thunderbolt 1 calmly observed the status of their target and confirmed its destruction. With the effectiveness of the Bunker Busters strapped into the airframe of the F-35, it was finally time to start the second phase.


    *Designated Target Status Confirmed. Proceed with phase two.* After reporting through the transmission, the aircrafts behind Thunderbolt 1 turned away, heading to their respective targets.


    Hundreds of bodiesid across the waters where the port of Eisenberg formerly stood. But the pilot didn''t have much of a reaction towards it as this was war. It wasn''t the time to feel sad for his enemies, especially when it was far from over.


    ''I''ll have to contact the Jaeger regarding the effectiveness of the Bunker Busters.'' The pilot thought to himself before openingmunication with the Jaeger.


    *This is Thunderbolt 1 of Lightning Flight. Bunker Busters has proven themselves to be effective. Sending more data through the data link.* He calmly reported through the transmission and a response followed.


    *Good job, Thunderbolt 1. Intelligence data has been retrieved and will be studied by the R&D Department in the Port of Dawn.* The Jaeger operator praised him for gathering data in their mission.


    *No problem, Jaeger. I''ll be cutting of transmission now.* The pilot uttered and turned off his transmission. Not having satellites in this world made a lot of thingsplicated. Their navigational systems were not as urate as before.


    But nheless, it was a manageable problem and the effectiveness of their fighting capabilities weren''t that much affected by theck of satellites.


    ''Though, I do hope for the United Navy to have its satellites in the future.'' The pilot felt that the United Navy would be more effective with their satellites on their side.


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the archipgo colony was the raiding ship of the Deerfolk Tribe. They sailed across the rough waters of the archipgo with a destination in mind. Their next target was a colonial armory depot of Eisenberg.


    Situated in an ind where two tribes meet.

 Chapter 124: | 124 | Raiding a Colonial Armory Depot

    In an ind near the colony of Eisenberg was the Colonial Armory Depot. It was a somewhat intriguing fortress, where most of their supplies of weapons and armors were stored. However, things were far from quiet on the ground.


    "Eisenberg is under attack!" One of the colonial navy personnel yelled out as news of their colony being assaulted by an unknown force scattered almost immediately throughout the archipgo.


    "All personnel! Prepare the defenses!" The colonialmander of the armory depot ordered. The anxious men immediately calmed themselves and followed his orders without hesitation.


    Seeing his personnel working hard in preparing their defenses, the colonialmander felt somewhat satisfied. Though, it was difficult to continue feeling such satisfaction when bad news keep echoing inside his heart and mind.


    ''The port of Eisenberg is in tatters and our navy are practically sunk into the depths of our shores. It seems that they n for a naval blockade around the colony.'' The colonialmander thought inside his mind.


    The reason for the naval blockade was simple. The resources that could be expended for an ind invasion was too muchpared to the benefits it would bring.


    It made sense to use pressure and harassment to make their enemy cave in.


    But the troublesome issuees in when the colonial dominion thought of their probable fate. He had little to no information towards his adversaries. Yes, they were going for a naval blockade, but what about the colonial forces outside of Eisenberg?


    What were their enemies nning to do with them?


    Because of this simple reason, the colonial dominion decided to raise their defensive rms to its maximum level. It might not be effective, but it was better than doing nothing. After all, even if they were losing, he was still a colonialmander of Eisenberg.


    ''I do hope that no troubles woulde. But I guess those animals might see the chaos as a chance. I should remind them why they were ves to the colony.'' The colonialmander continued his thoughts and decided to reign in the two tribes in the ind with them.


    These tribes were the Tigris Tribe and the Leo Tribe. Quite problematic tribes as despite being conquered by the colony of Eisenberg, they remained stubborn and would sometimes stage a resistance every now and then.


    Though, obviously, the colony of Eisenberg would be always to reign them in regardless of how much the two tribes resist.


    Since the colony of Eisenberg was in dire circumstances, those animals probably wouldn''t hesitate in starting the rebellion.


    However, never did the colonialmander know... The rebellion had already begun in the archipgo, and it had its eyes set into the very weapons stored inside his Colonial Armory Depot.


    Somewhere in the ind, a merchant ship anchored itself near the sandy beaches. It belonged to the captured merchant, and was currentlymanded by Hermona, the human leader of the rebellion.


    Hermona stood amongst the group of young deerfolks who were armed with the weapons of the merchant ship''s guards. In front of her was Mercedes, who was about to walked out from the group.


    But before she could do so, Hermona called out for her wanting to know where the reconnaissance team of the Special Response Unit was going. Albeit, she already understood where they were actually going. After all, she knew the secretive nature of her newly-acquired allies.


    "We will be taking care of the Colonial Armory Depot. On the other hand, you will get us more allies in this cause of ours. You''re confident you that are the perfect one for such a task, correct?" Hearing Mercedes''s response, Hermona merely nodded.


    "Good, I will be expecting more allies the moment we return. Work hard, Hermona. After all, unless you stand in the very center of the colony, announcing your freedom. Things are far from over." Mercedes waved her hands and soon disappeared into the meadows of the forest.


    The same happened to the Minokins and beastfolks under hermand. Though, unexpectedly, Espada was left behind, which Hermona found somewhat shocking.


    "Sir Espada, I thought you would be going with Miss Mercedes?" Hermona questioned, unable to contained her surprise. Seeing her expression, the giant Minokin merely chuckled and replied.


    "They can handle the dismantling of the Colonial Armory Depot themselves without much of a problem unless otherworldly variables emerged. On the other hand, I doubt you or your rebels can handle the hostility of their tribes in this ind."


    Espada was totally confident with his fellow Minokins and his leader, Mercedes. They were powerful individuals even in the United Navy, especially their leader, Mercedes.


    "Don''t underestimate Mercedes too much. She might appear leanpared to other beastfolks, but she packs a punch. It''s like her muscles had been condensed to fit her body stature."


    "Besides, she''s amongst the most upstanding women in the United Navy. Although, not as great as the two demoness of the Fleet Admiral. She still stands with him as his secretary during peace time." Espada expounded, not caring about the information he had released.


    It was fairlymon knowledge, and it made it clear that the rtionship between humans and beastfolks inside the United Navy were deeply going well.


    "She directly works for the Fleet Admiral? The big boss of the United Navy?" Hermona couldn''t believe what she was hearing. A beastfolk working beside a human leader? It sounded strange for the former wyvern rider.


    "Heh, she ironically spends more time with the Fleet Admiral than the other two." Espada mumbled while smirking. Though, it was time to return to the present than desire for drama between the Fleet Admiral''s women.


    "At any rate, I''ll be protecting you from troubles those beastfolks could bring. So, d to be working with you, Hermona." Espada extended his hand, to which Hermona epted.


    "I''ll sure be safe under your protection, Sir Espada." Hermona beamed a smile while shaking his hand, causing the giant Minokin to raise his eyebrows.


    He had be to used with others looking at himself with respect, aloofness, or fear that he forgot the satisfying sweetness of a smile. Though, it was a wee change for the former Warchief of the Minokin Tribe.


    ...


    Meanwhile, near the outskirts of the Colonial Armory Depot, Mercedes observed the colonial guards aptly staying in their respective positions. It seems that they werebat ready, which might stemmed from the Storm Fleet making its move.


    "It seems that infiltration will be difficult in the current state of the depot. Prepare for an assault, we''ll strike them in two directions." Mercedes muttered before ordering her subordinates.


    They will be divided into two, one would handle the west while the other take care of the south.


    "I will be striking the south and will be attracting most of their attention. At that moment, the team handling the west will get in and terminate everything and everyone in their way. Am I understood?" She promptly asked, making her men nod.


    "Good, we''ll immediately begin."


    And so, the reconnaissance team separated into two. Mercedes would be leading the main and actual assault in the south, while the others would prate through west.


    It didn''t take long for the two teams to arrive in their positions. Mercedes stood amongst the bushes with several beastfolks beside her. She signaled them to prepare before starting the attack.


    Mercedes got out of her hiding spot and immediately took out two desert eagles from the holsters beside her hips. She pointed them at the nearby guard towers and shot without dy.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    With the lead of their first lieutenant, several beastfolks got out of their hiding and fired their rifles towards the colonial guards.


    *BBRrrrrrtttt!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    Gunfire echoed throughout the southern wall of the Colonial Armory Depot. rm bells rang in the entirety of the depot, bringing the attention of every colonial guards in the vicinity.


    "We are under attack! They are targeting our southern defenses!" A colonial guard yelled out, making the colonialmander understand their situation.


    "Reinforce the south and make sure they don''t pierce through!" The colonialmander ordered his men as their defenses must not fall and get prated by enemy forces. Otherwise, the Colonial Armory Depot of Eisenberg would be doomed.


    The colonial guards followed his orders without any dy and reinforced the southern wall. Mercedes kept firing at the colonial guards, who were growing in numbers. Arrows pierced through the air, though the wolf beastfolk dodged them with ease.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    She didn''t hesitate to retaliate while signaling her men to take out their anti-armor weapon. An old soviet-era weapon produced by the United Navy for its ease of production.


    The RPG-7.


    Some of her men took out their respective RPGs'' and pointed them towards the southern wall of the Colonial Armory Depot. After preparing themselves and aiming properly towards their targets, they didn''t hesitate to pull the trigger.


    *Wooooshh!* *Wiiiiishhhh!* *Wuuuuuuushhh!*


    Rockets propelled themselves through the air and directly impacted the walls before them. What followed were the expected deafening sts that resounded throughout the southern part of the depot.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* With the concentrated fire of the RPG-7, a hole was made in the southern wall of the Colonial Armory Depot.


    And sadly, their bad news didn''t end there.


    As the colonialmander heard of the southern wall getting sted by explosions, an anxious colonial guard reported spine-chilling news.


    "S-Sir, the western wall has fallen. A-An unknown group of beastfolks have infiltrated and t-terminated every colonial guard in the west. I was barely able to survive and report the situation."


    It was at this moment that the colonialmander realized.


    They had already lost.

 Chapter 125: | 125 | Stubborn Tribes: Tigris Tribe

    Somewhere in the vast archipgo was an ind where two stubborn tribes meet. It was also the ind of the Colonial Armory Depot, uttering its significance to the colony of Eisenberg. The two tribes were the Tigris Tribe and the Leo Tribe.


    The Tigris Tribe was a tribal society only consisting of tiger beastfolks. They were furry ones with orange and ck stripes, known for being exceptionally durable and strong hunters.


    The Tigris were a particr strange kind of beastfolks as they were severely interested in dominating others with their exceptional capabilities.


    On the other hand, there was the Leo Tribe. Another tribal society of the ind primarilyprising of lion beastfolks. The Leo Tribe had an even stranger society even whenpared with the Tigris Tribe.


    It was because of their polygamist nature that creates factions of harems throughout the tribe. The male beastfolks of Leo were known to be extremely strong inparison to the Tigris. While their female was numerable, rivalling the numbers of male and female tiger beastfolks.


    These two societies were, as said before, incredibly stubborn. A resistance from them was an expected even for the colonist of Eisenberg.


    Which... creates a question.


    How does the human leader of the rebellion n to recruit both tribes into her cost? Well, that was for her to struggle and answer. After all, she was the first rebel who''s human that actually led an attack against the colony of Eisenberg.


    Walking towards the habitat of the Tigris Tribe were the group of rebels and their bodyguard, the giant Minokin Espada. With him on their side, it was gave them a feeling as though they were children being protected by their father.


    Though, they didn''t mind the peculiar feeling. After all, Espada was very strong in their eyes.


    As Hermona walked through the evergreen shrubs and rustling bushes, she noticed a couple of structures in the distance, signaling their arrival on the tribe. But before she could take a step forward, she felt arge hand on her shoulder.


    "What are you nning to do, Hermona?" Espada questioned with raised eyebrows. After all, she hadn''t told him of her n regarding the recruitment of the Tigris Tribe.


    Hermona slowly turned her head towards the giant Minokin, making her gaze upward. She raised her knuckle with a confident smirk and answered his inquiry. "Freedom!"


    Her determined expression and confident stature merely made the giant Minokin frown before softly tapping her head. Though, such a tap was enough to rock her braincells.


    "That''s a bad idea, Hermona."


    "Reality is far from such simple ideas. They need to know what they would be able to get from the freedom you are giving." Espada wasn''t as intelligent as the others, but he wasn''t dumb.


    He was a Warchief of a defeated tribe before joining the United Navy. He had his fair share of thoughts in regards to freedom.


    "I see what you mean, Espada. But I don''t know much about what I can give to them for their participation in the rebellion." Hermona wasn''t as politically-inclined personpared to Espada.


    "You can say anything you want. The actualities of what they can do after the rebellion can be negotiated afterward." Espada suggested, causing the wyvern rider to raise an eyebrow.


    "Wouldn''t that mean that I''ll be lying to them?" Hermona didn''t want to lead a rebellion against tyrants shrouded with lies.


    "Make it as cloudy as possible, don''t promise them anything. That''s the only thing you need to do, Hermona." Espada calmly advised the youngdy, who could nod in agreement.


    It didn''t take long before they arrived in the entrance of the Tigris Tribe. It brimmed with over a dozen of buff tiger guards, defending the tribe from any types of intruders.


    The moment the guards took notice of Espada and Hermona. They swiftly aimed their spears towards the two and the rebels behind them. Their eyes were filled with scrutiny as one questioned.


    "Who are you and what are you doing in front of our tribe!?" As he yelled out, many more guards surrounded them. The dozen became a hundred in mere moments.


    ''How the hell do they have many armed guards?'' Hermona quietly thought to herself as she was shocked by the number of tiger guards surrounding them.


    However, she quickly shook her head and calmed her anxious heart. She needed to negotiate with the Tigris Tribe, so that the rebel forces could grow even further.


    "The colony of Eisenberg is in chaos, their forces are scattered and in disarray. I am leading a rebellion so that freedom could be taken from the tyrants that conquered them."


    Hermona expounded to the surrounding tiger guards who tilted their head in confusion after hearing her words. Espada sighed and stepped forward.


    "We are part of the rebelling forces situation in an ind far from here. We have begun our rebellion and are gathering forces to attain our awaiting freedom."


    "She is our leader, and we want you to join us in our crusade for liberation." The moment Espada took over, the Tigris finally understood why these group of strange visitors had emerged before their tribe.


    Though, they were suspicious.


    After all, the leader of the so-called rebellion was none other than a human girl. How? A human who was also their tyrant became the rebel leader? It doesn''t make sense for the Tigris Tribe.


    "How could you be led by a human girl? Why is she a part of your rebellion when she''s a part of them? Our tyrants!" One of the guards cried out with his anger boiling into his heart.


    It was as though they were getting mocked.


    "Calm yourself, I''ll be talking from now on." Before Hermona or Espada could answer, a deep and cold voice resounded from the Tigris Tribe. The surrounding guards opened up, revealing a fully armored Tigris.


    "So, these are the rebels. Hmm... I was expecting stronger visitors." The Chief of the Tigris Tribe remarked while observing Hermona and her group with a scrutinizing gaze.


    "There''s a reason why she''s the leader of the rebellion, kitty." Espada stepped forward with a cold gaze and uttered. "She had done something none of you have ever done."


    "In the Deerfolk Tribe, she burned a colonial envoy and his ship into the bottom of the seas. It is the greatest crime, ves like you, could ever do to the colony."


    "As such, despite being a human, she is the spark of the rebellion. The first trigger."


    Hearing that the human girl before him killed a colonial envoy and burned his ship into the abyssal depths of the sea made the Tigris Chief furrow his eyebrows.


    "Killing a colonial envoy and burning his ship to the abyss is impressive, to say the least." The Tigris Chief expressed as it was something he couldn''t do in fear of what could happen afterward.


    The Tigris Tribe might cease to exist, so killing a colonial envoy was an act that he could respect.


    "What is your name, girl?" The Chief questioned Hermona, who coolly answered. "I am Hermona, and I want you to join our rebellion. I believe you can benefit from it as well."


    When the Tigris Chief heard the word ''benefit'' from the mouth of a human, he was in a state of disbelief. However, he calmed himself down, understanding the differences between each one.


    In his eyes, Hermona was merely the ck tiger of humanity.


    But being a ck tiger wasn''t bad. It made things interesting, though he does wonder what kind of benefits his tribe could gain from the benefits.


    "Please tell." He said to the human girl, who merely nodded and continued. "First of all, you wouldn''t have to deal with colonial envoys. Second, no need for any offerings or gifts. And finally, you will be free from tyranny."


    The Tigris Chief listened carefully to what Hermona had to say and could only chuckle after hearing it. "Interesting words, Hermona Girl. Excellent job, I am intrigued by your rebellion."


    "The Tigris Tribe will be willing to participate in your rebellion. I will be expecting for you to honor your words after this rebellion of ours, Hermona Girl. It would be disappointing to see your as our new tyrant." The Tigris Chief remarked while chuckling.


    "As if I''ll be someone like them, though I''d like to warn you about one simple thing. The moment you start enving others, we will be fighting to take you down." Hermona responded with determination.


    "Alright, I''ll keep that in mind." The Tigris Chief nodded in understanding, though before he could continue discussing with the rebel leader. An explosion resounded throughout the ind.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The Tigris Guards felt their bodies tensed as they could feel the power of the explosion. The Chief was also surprised by the unexpected explosion. But what made him more astounded was the words of Hermona.


    "Looks like Miss Mercedes is giving them the trouble they deserve." She remarked, to which Espada chuckled. "She''s giving them more trouble than they could ever wish for."


    "It appears that your friend is the one causing problems to the depot." The Tigris Chief expressed his curiosity, which was satiated with Espada''s following words. "She''s working hard to get you better weapons."


    "At any rate, Espada. Should we head to our next destination." Hermona beamed a smile to the somewhat aloof giant Minokin.


    "Our job here is done, so let''s go." Espada nodded in agreement as their mission in the Tigris Tribe had beenpleted. It was time to recruit the Leo Tribe, which would be moreplicated than the Tigris Tribe.

 Chapter 126: | 126 | Stubborn Tribes: Leo Tribe

    Following the thunderous explosion in the Colonial Armory Depot, its sts resounded throughout the ind, bringing about the attention of everyone and everything on top of the ground. And most of the attention came from the tribe who was ignorant of it all.


    In the southern part of the ind was the habitat of the Leo Tribe. A patriarchal society consisting of various harems and so few men. Because of the rarity of men in the Leo Tribe, the male Leos have been protected heavily by the females.


    Though... That doesn''t mean that they were weak. No, instead it was the opposite. The male Leos of the Tribe were considered the most strongest beastfolk in the ind. Their physical properties and intellect weren''t to be underestimated.


    "Chief Leonidas, an explosion sted from the Colonial Armory Depot." A female Leo guard reported the circumstance outside to her chief. She was also a part of his harem, the 45th wife.


    She gazed at the beastfolk before her, who was a lot bigger and brawnier than anyone she had ever seen. Even other male Leos in the tribe couldn''tpare to him.


    "Hmm... It seems that people are attacking the depot." Leonidas muttered to himself, to which the Leo guard clearly heard. She furrowed her eyebrows and remarked. "It must be the Tigris attacking them!"


    She wondered if they needed to do something. After all, it was the first for the Tigris to orchestrate such a deafening attack.


    "No, I doubt that it would be those Tigris. After all, while they are dumber than us, they aren''t foolish enough to fight against a superior enemy." Leonidas expressed his doubts, which wasn''t unfounded.


    The reason why the Tigris Tribe had survived was through its tact. They knew when to fight, and that time wasn''t now. Unless something happened to the colony, which Leonidas highly doubted.


    The Colonial Dominion of Terra had stood hundreds of years. It was akin to an untippable pir. After all, it was the entrance of Europa into the Ferus Sea. For it to be defeated, other Colonial Dominions must be fought back into Europa.


    Otherwise, they had no chance.


    This was Leonidas''s thoughts about the matter, but sadly, he was wrong. Somewhere in the sea region of Terra was the ind of Crescere where the Port of Dawn dwelled, birth ce of the naval organization; the United Navy.


    "Then, who are the ones attacking the armory depot of the colony, Chief Leonidas?" The female Leo guard questioned, making the chief smile. He looked at her and calmly replied.


    "It looks like we now have visitors in our ind." Leonidas was confident that the one fighting against the depot of the ind were outsiders. These people weren''t part of the Tigris or Leo Tribe.


    "Are they pirates?" It was natural to arrive such a conclusion. In their eyes, the only ones who fought against other colonists were human pirates or raiders.


    But, Leonidas highly doubted the idea.


    Even human pirates weren''t dumb enough to raid fortresses of the colony. So, this would signify that the ones attacking the armory depot were opposing forces of the colony.


    However, Leonidas hadn''t heard of any opposing forces of humanity. Though, there were some rumors about heretics called the United Navy. It was never confirmed.


    "They might be, or they might be something else. Nheless, we have no need to pay any of them heed. Simply increase the defensive perimeter of the vige. I don''t want us attacked, unprepared." Leonidas ordered his 45th wife, who nodded in understanding.


    "I shall do so, my dear." The female Leo guard swiftly left the chieftain hut of the vige, intending to follow her chief''s orders.


    On the other hand, Leonidas looked onward with thought surging inside his head. The tides and winds of destiny were changing into a direction far from expecting. He didn''t know if it was a good thing or not, but he hoped that his tribe would be able to survive through it.


    "Liberation, freedom, and dreams don''t matter whenpared to long-term survival." Leonidas mumbled his iron-d beliefs. Because of how mighty the Colonial Dominion was, he had be ustomed to their reality.


    In his eyes liberation, freedom, and dreams weren''t something important. Instead, what should be treasured was survival. He wasn''t wrong per se, but surviving and living were different from one another.


    To live was to be free, liberated, and have dreams.


    Though, expectations was always far from reality.


    Nearby the Leo Tribe was the group of rebels, their bodyguard, and their newly-apanyingpanion; Chief of the Tigris Tribe, Tora. They were walking towards their next destination, the Leo Tribe.


    "Sir Tora, you didn''t have toe with us." Hermona remarked as she didn''t expect the Tigris Chief to follow them. Hearing her words, Tora merely grinned and responded. "Don''t mind me that much, Hermona Girl. Besides, I will be vouching your words as the Leo Tribe are known to be more stubborn than us."


    "He isn''t wrong. Leos are usually the prideful of the bunch. They have a hard time listening to others outside of their tribe." Espada said while standing beside Hermona.


    "Oh, you already met a Leo, Sir Espada?" Hermona was somewhat surprised since she knew that Espada was mostly ignorant of other beastfolk tribes. He didn''t have time to learn about other tribes, when he spent his time thinking about the fate of his own tribe.


    "I have seen and talked with one. A male, at that. He was a rare ve, even to the colonists. After all, for Leos, their males were the future of their tribe. Without a male, the gic biodiversity of their tribe would be harder to spread and scatter."


    "The more males they had, the better it would be." Espada exined, which Tora snickered on. After all, the giant Minokin wasn''t wrong about his words.


    "That''s what you would expect from a tribe who rises through harems." Tora remarked as the problem of maintaining gic diversity hadn''t ever emerged in his tribe. Only the Leo Tribe deeply scrutiny the flings of their tribe members.


    "Well, it''s not like I disagree with your words." Espada remarked, but continued. "Though, it''s not like they could help it. Males in the Leo Tribe rarely ever get born. That is why they keep breeding as long as they have a chance. After, a male heir is a must to them."


    "Stop- stop! We aren''t here to discuss about the rtionships of that tribe. I hope you would stop talking about the strange society, Sir Espada." Hermona expressed while shaking her hands towards the two beastfolks.


    Espada and Tora looked at the humandy before them and merely nodded. After all, they had epted her as the rebel leader. If she didn''t want to hear more about their discussion, then so be it.


    "Understood, Miss Hermona."


    "Alright, Hermona Girl."


    The group continued to walk through the dirt pathway and took a few minutes before they arrived before the entrance of their destination. The Leo Tribe didn''t look that much different from the Tigris Tribe. The only clear difference was that the Leo Tribe had more huts in their vige.


    This signified theirrger poption inparison to the Tigris Tribe.


    And just like before, Hermona and her group were immediately surrounded by the guards of the tribe. Though, surprisingly, most of the guards were female Leos. Though, despite being females, they seemed more ferocious than the Tigris.


    "Who are you, and what are you doing in front of our vige?" A young female Leo yelled out to the two group. Hermona was about to speak, but the two men beside her took a step forward.


    The giant Minokin, Espada, coldly gazed at the female guards. On the other hand, the Tigris Chief, Tora, merely grinned at the female Leos before him. The two made the situation tense, until Espada finally opened his mouth.


    "Bring your chief forward, we want to talk." His words resounded throughout the entrance of the Leo Tribe. Tora smirked and remarked. "Oh, my... How threatening. I like that part of you, Sir Espada."


    Espada raised an eyebrow and expressed his true thoughts. "I have no interests in that." It was better to break the bridge than let it unexpectedly foster.


    "Hehehehe~" Tora chuckled, while Hermona took a step back from the Tigris Chief. The guy was freakier than she had previously thought.


    "Okay, stay here. I''ll call my husband." One of the female Leos uttered to the group before returning back to the vige. It didn''t take long before arge male Leo emerged in the entrance of the tribe. He was almost at the height of Espada, which was impressive in itself.


    "What may I help you with, Visitors?" Leonidas questioned with raised eyebrows. After all, he hadn''t expected for visitors to appear in front of his vige. Not only that, a familiar guy was with them, making him furrow his raised eyebrows.


    "Tora, what have brought you here?" He uttered another question, to which Tora calmly replied. "I''m here to vouch the words of my dear rebel leader." He did so, while bowing towards Hermona.


    "Eh?" Hermona took a step back, surprised by Tora''s unexpected actions. Though, she toughen herself up and turned her gaze towards therge male Leo.


    She then began exining the mission of the rebellion and its final goal. She uttered what they could expect after victory was gained, and finally remarked her warnings.


    During the entire time, Leonidas observed the female human with scrutiny. Although, it was hard to believe her words. The fact that the Tigris Chief ironically vouched for her meant that there was truth in her words.


    "I understand what you are trying to say, but I have my own thoughts about your rebellion."

 Chapter 127: | 127 | The Fall of the Colonial Armory Depot

    In the confines of the Colonial Armory Depot''s fortress, gunfire resounded along with the cries and roars of the colonial guards fighting for their lives. They were getting besieged by a powerful force that practically divided the entirety of the Colonial Dominion in mere moments.


    "Continue defending the corridors!" The colonialmander yelled out to his men, who were exhausted. Fighting and retreating didn''t do good for the bodies of the colonial guards.


    Not only that, their morale was also at its lowest. After all, they were pushed to the brink by the outsiders invading the ind.


    "Sir! The outer defenses has fallen! We are the only ones left in the armory depot!" One of the colonial guards reported, causing most to grunt in horror. Their numbers weren''t to be underestimated, yet they were exterminated without difficulties and mercy.


    "H-How can we defend this ce! We''re probably going to die." A colonial guard expressed with despair. Many of the guards couldn''t utter words against him as it was the truth of their circumstance.


    "Shut up if you don''t want to die!" The colonialmander pointed his flintlock towards the guard and warned. The morale of his men was already low. He didn''t want it to get even more lowered.


    "P-Please don''t kill me. I don''t want to die!" The colonial guard fearfully backed away from the colonialmander. While he was in despair, he still hadn''t lost his will to live.


    He didn''t want to die in this ind and wanted to return to his homnd.


    With this in mind, facing the barrel of the colonialmander, the colonial guard gritted his teeth and ran out of the corridor.


    "Hey!" The colonialmander shouted at the guard and immediately pulled the trigger.


    *Bang!*


    Sadly for themander, however, the colonial guard had already managed to escape his sight, dodging their death. He clenched his fist in anger and cursed the deserter.


    "Piece of sh*t! I''ll execute him myself if I ever see him in front of me." The colonialmander wanted to kill someone at the moment, but couldn''t bother to do anything towards his remaining men.


    After all, using fear to control them in desperate times was always a foolish option.


    "Oh? You''ll execute him? Will you even be alive by then?" Out of nowhere, a sarcastic voice resounded throughout the hallway. This brought shivers to everyone''s spine. After all, this voice could onlye from one person.


    The colonialmander turned his gaze towards the direction where the voice came from and saw a silver wolf beastfolk with two Minokins beside her. They were holding heavy machine guns with ease, while she had two desert eagles between her hands.


    "You must be the invaders! How dare you attack the Colonial Armory Depot! You have dered war to the Colonial Dominion!" The colonialmander shouted in anger towards the beastfolk invaders.


    Mercedes didn''t respond to themander and merely signaled her men to end this farce. After all, she didn''t have all the time of the world to talk with some colonialmander.


    The Storm Fleet still needed the assistance of the rebels and the reconnaissance team to take over the heart of the colony.


    Noticing the signal of the first lieutenant, the Minokins nodded in understanding and pointed their heavy machine guns towards the direction of the colonialmander and his men.


    Without any hesitation or dy, they pulled the trigger and rained bullets down to the everyst human in the hallway.


    *BRRrrrrrtttt!!!* *BBRRRrrrrrttt!!!*


    Flickering lights shed brilliantly in hundreds for a mere moment. Thunderous gunshots echoed, followed by the sound of walls breaking apart. Flesh were ripped out from their bodies, turning them into mangled pieces of themselves.


    The two Minokins practically erased the direction where the colonialmander and his guards stood. Smoke scattered from the residues of the fortress''s stone walls, though it didn''t take longfor them to fade into the background.


    What remained though... Was a horrifying sight.


    The corpses of themander and the colonial gathers scattered throughout the hallway with dozens of bullet holes on their bodies. Their limbs were torn from their bodies, making limbs dangle everywhere.


    But Mercedes didn''t have much of a reaction towards such a horrifying scene and turned her attention to Minokins beside her.


    "Gather everyone and have them find the armory of this fortress."


    "The armaments, supplies, and armors of this depot must be collected to be dispersed to the rebellion." She uttered her following orders, which the Minokins humbly epted.


    They immediately walked away from the hallway, leaving Mercedes behind.


    Afterward. she returned her gaze to the scene and remembered the escapee. This made her raise an eyebrow since the fate of that guard was an unknown. But, she then walked through the corpses of the colonialmander and his men.


    After all, the colonial guard should be on the other side of the corridor.


    Luckily for her, she wasn''t wrong. In the other side of the corridor was a shivering colonial guard who was kneeling and cing his hands on the wall.


    "You were lucky to run away." Mercedes muttered to the guard, who merely froze and copsed to the ground. It seems that despair caused him to lose his consciousness.


    ''Well, we have another prisoner in our hands.'' She quietly thought to herself while checking the body of the colonial guard for any weapons. Following her check up, she picked the young man and ced him on her shoulders.


    She then followed the path of the Minokins and left the confines of the fortress where most of her men gathered. Outside, a dozen of prisoners gathered together. They were survivors of the fortress, and technically, they couldn''t kill surrendering adversaries.


    So, Mercedes had to shackle them and turn them into prisoners of war. Besides, they might have useful intelligence with them that could be handy for the intelligence department.


    She arrived in front of the prisoners and ced the body beside them. They looked at her in fear and backed away, but she didn''t care about what they thought of her. After doing what she needed to do, she returned her attention to the mission at hand.


    "Leader! Armaments, armors, and supplies have been gathered. It''s in surplus, and could be supplied to an army of over a thousand." A SRU beastfolk arrived before the first lieutenant, and reported the status of their goal.


    "Thepound has also been cleared of any hostiles. We have gainedplete control over the armory depot." Another SRU beastfolk arrived and reported to Mercedes.


    "Affirmative, contact Espada about the sess of our assault. Let him bring the girl and her entourage to thepound." Mercedes nodded in understanding and ordered them.


    "We shall do so," The two beastfolks saluted to the silver wolf lieutenant and began contacting the second-inmand, Espada.


    On the other hand, somewhere in the ind, Hermona walked through the evergreen forest with arge group of beastfolks behind her. Most were from the Tigris and Leo Tribe, who followed her with their respective chiefs.


    She wondered why they needed to follow her as she merely nned to return to her ship. But before she could keep walking towards the shores, Espada ced his hand on her shoulders, prompting her to stop.


    "Espada, what is it?" She asked while sighing. Hermona turned her gaze towards the giant Minokin who was holding a strange device in his fingers.


    "I see... The assault was a sess, and the first lieutenant is calling for Hermona." Espada muttered to the radiomunicator while nodding in understanding. After speaking to themunicator for a while, he turned his attention to Hermona.


    It was at this moment that he noticed that their group had berger than before, so his actions must have brought the attention of everyone.


    And he was right.


    He coughed for a moment and ryed the orders of the first lieutenant to Hermona.


    "Miss Hermona, the First Lieutenant calls for you in the Colonial Armory Depot. It has already fallen in our hands, so she wants you to be there." Hearing the words of Espada, Hermona raised an eyebrow and realized where Mercedes went.


    "So... The armory depot fell? I thought it would take longer and required our assistance." Hermona remarked in shock. She wasn''t alone in her words. The chiefs of the Tigris and Leo Tribes were also astounded by the revtion of the armory depot''s fall.


    "The Special Response Unit are amongst the greatest weapons of the United Navy. We are under themand of the Dragoness Lace and are the spear of the Fleet Admiral." Espada expounded to the group.


    "United Navy?"


    "Dragoness Lace?"


    Both of the chiefs had questions, but Espada merely shook his head as he didn''t desire to waste a moment exining information to them. Instead, he decided to pass this trouble to his lovely leader.


    ''I guess being an underling is a lot better than I previously thought.'' He quietly thought to himself as the responsibilities he had weren''t as heavy as the ones he had before as the Warchief of the Minokin Tribe.


    "I won''t bother myself in answering your questions. If you have inquiries, ask my boss." Like a natural underling, Espada forwarded the problem to Mercedes.


    Seeing Espada''sck of interest in answering them, Tora and Leonidas decided to not ask a question. Though, they red at Hermona for theck of information they had.


    "Hehehehe~ Don''t mind him. I''m sure you''ll know more sooner orter." Hermona chuckled as though it wasn''t her problem. Quite a skillful deflection. As expected of the rebel leader.

 Chapter 128: | 128 | Liberation Front

    In the western entrance of the fallen Colonial Armory Depot, Mercedes stood silently alongside a dozen of her men. Behind them wererge cargo crates of supplies and weapons, waiting to be unbolted by the soon-to-be-arrive visitors.


    And it didn''t take long before their silhouettes emerged in the distance of the forest in the west. Noticing herrge number, the edges of Mercedes''s lips rose since the human girl had seeded in gathering allies.


    Well, it was not like she was expecting the girl to fail. On the contrary, she expected the human rebel leader to prevail and recruit the two tribes of this ind. Though, when she would arrive was a question she''d ask beforehand.


    Now, however... It seems that she didn''t have to wait long for them to reap the fallen fortress of the Colonial Armory Depot.


    "Hermona actually manage to recruit them, huh?" She muttered to herself, bringing about the attention of her men. They noticed where her eyes were pointed at and gave their remarks.


    "Oh, the human girl actually manage recruit them. It seems that she''s a quarter of what the humans in the United Navy are."


    "I heard that they were stubborn tribes. I guess they weren''t as stubborn as the rumors portrayed them to be."


    "Well, Sir Espada was with her during the recruitment process. His presence must have ease a lot ofplications in the recruitment process."


    The opinion of her men were fairly simple. They were astonished by the fact that Hermona recruited two beastfolk tribes to her cause. This signified that she had a charm that was akin to the United Navy.


    However,pared to them, there were aspects she wascking at.


    At any rate, Hermona and her entourage soon arrived in the western entrance of the Colonial Armory Depot. They gazed at the fallen fortress in shock and noticed its war-torn appearance. It was as though they had step into some battlefield of some sort.


    Nheless, they couldn''t continue sight-seeing in the fallen fortress. After all, there was something they needed to do for their liberation.


    "Espada, it seems that you and Hermona have seeded in your respective tasks." Mercedes stepped forward and grinned at the giant Minokin. Seeing her expression, Espada looked at the silver wolf and smirked.


    "With me around, it would be difficult for anyone to hurt her. Thepletion of my task is natural." When uttering such words, it was as though he was arrogant. But it was the truth.


    Regardless of the numbers the tribes had, the moment they try to attack Hermona. He wouldn''t hesitate to dispatch them from their status of being alive.


    "I guess you''re somewhat, right. Are the two of them the chiefs of the two tribes?" Mercedes turned her attention to the two beastfolks behind Hermona. Their appearance attract attention. It was fairly clear that they were the chiefs of their tribes.


    "The Tigris guy is Tora, and the big Leo is Leonidas. Hermona worked hard to recruit them, so give them some ck." Espada exined while pointing at who was who.


    Mercedes merely chuckled after hearing Espada''sst words. She wasn''t someone who''d unnecessarily bring pressure for no reason. But as she had said, it entirely depends on the person at hand.


    "Tora and Leonidas, huh? The two of you are quite strongpared to the usual beastfolks." She remarked while staring at the two men behind Hermona.


    "Eh..." Hermona stepped sideways as though avoiding being the crossfire between Mercedes and the two chieftains of the beastfolk tribes. After all, she didn''t want to be at the end of whatever they throw at each other.


    "From the way you are speaking, it sounds as though you''re not working for Hermona." Tora questioned with raise eyebrows since he had noticed the tone of Mercedes when talking about Hermona. It was the tone of a superior.


    "Don''t mind my tone, and you''re correct. Hermona is working with us, the United Navy." Mercedes uncaring tone resounded throughout the western entrance. She didn''t hesitate to announce that she was part of the United, bringing tension in the surroundings.


    It was better for them to be aware of the truth than stay ignorant of their circumstance. At the very least, these guys wouldn''t have the gal of using the United Navy about lying to them.


    "So, it''s true... The United Navy, the heretics of humanity, hase into the archipgo." Leonidas stepped forward and calmly uttered. Mercedes looked at him and aloofly nodded. "Yes, you''re right."


    "What has brought the United Navy into our inds?" Leonidas questioned, making Mercedes squint. On the other hand, the beastfolks and Minokin beside her nced at one another before chuckling at the big Leo.


    "Dang, what a delusional one, kekekeke!"


    "I wish I had that confidence..."


    "I wouldn''t even speak like that even if you paid me to!"


    "I believe that you are misunderstanding something, Leonidas. You don''t have the right over these inds. At the moment, all of you are riding the coattails of the United Navy." Mercedes coldly expressed as she had never heard such arrogant wordsing from an enved beastfolk.


    "Our fleet is blocking the sea surrounding the colony of Eisenberg. This means that its surrounding inds are losing their colonial influence. This ind is merely a part of our operations."


    "So, I hope you take care of whatever you say in front of us." While Mercedes wanted the liberation of every beastfolk, she wouldn''t hesitate to put a hole in the heads of those that mock the United Navy.


    She also hated the ones who think of their ownership of thend as a privilege. Naturally, it was not. Owning and was never a privilege of some tribe. It was instead an ownership reinforced through strength.


    That was how colonies were built, and it should have been a logic deeply ingrained into the minds of every beastfolk in the archipgo. She didn''t think that some would be delusional enough to think it was a right.


    There was nothing free in this world. Just like the State of Minos, the liberated archipgo would have to be united after regaining their freedom. Afterward, whether it be an economic and military benefit. The United Navy could reap what it sowed.


    "I see... I apologize for my disrespectful words." Leonidas lowered his head while the female Leo guards beside him were preparing to fight. He nced at them and coolly ordered. "Don''t attack them. It was my fault."


    "We haven''t fought for ournd yet, so it doesn''t belong to us at the moment." He wasn''t ignorant of the logic Mercedes was trying to expound. And he wholeheartedly epted such logic, so he epted his disrespectful words.


    "Nevertheless, the United Navy will be giving you a chance to fight for yournd, tribe, and freedom. We don''t do handouts, so you must fight for what you want." Mercedes covenant was the freedom of all sapient life.


    But they simply couldn''t waste resources for such a lofty goal. Instead, they needed to bnce their rationality and ideals. The current strategy was the result of such bnce.


    The United Navy wouldn''t hesitate to liberate the ves scattered throughout the world. However, the enved ones must also fight in their liberation and regain freedom from their oppressors.


    "The weapons, supplies, and armors behind us will be the fuel of your rebellion." Mercedes nced at the gigantic wooden crates behind her and continued. "Don''t waste the resources invested into your liberation. I hope you use our gifts well."


    She then turned her gaze towards Hermona, who instinctively flinched from her scrutinizing eyes. The edges of her lips rose as she remarked. "Hermona, take care of your rebellion."


    Hearing the words of Mercedes, Hermona raised an eyebrow as she wondered whether or not the reconnaissance team of the United Navy nned to leave the rebellion. She was a bit disappointed as she previously thought they would be with her until end.


    "Are you nning to leave?" Hermona asked, wanting to hear it from the mouth of the silver wolf beastfolk. "Yes, the situation has beplex. The fleet has called for my return as our home might have bepromise."


    "That''s unexpected, First Lieutenant Mercedes." Espada furrowed his eyebrows since he was also surprised by the unexpected retreating orders from the highmand.


    "The reconnaissance team is the only one returning from the archipgo. The Storm Fleet will continue blocking the seas surrounding Eisenberg." Mercedes rified and returned her attention to Hermona.


    "Now that you would be independent from us. It''s time for you rebels to conjure your own name. After all, there must be a name for your oppressors and allies to call you." She suggested to the silent Hermona.


    Hermona, who was in silence, got out of her trance after hearing the suggestion of Mercedes. Her eyes regained rity as she thought of her words with utter seriousness.


    A name wasn''t something she had thought of since the beginning of the rebellion. After all, cing a name in the rebellion seemed utterly foolish in her eyes. But after thinking about it through the lenses that Mercedes had given her, Hermona understood the need for identity.


    With this in mind, Hermona became determined, causing Mercedes to slightly smile at the human girl. Hermona had grown a lot in the eyes of the first lieutenant. At any case, after gathering her courage, the rebel leader finally uttered the name she had conjured inside her mind.


    "Our rebellion is the Liberation Front, the vanguard of freedom."


    "Oh? How intriguing. But to call yourself the vanguard of freedom. We''ll treat that as a direct challenge to the United Navy." Mercedes chuckled, causing Hermona to be agitated and rify. "I wasn''t making a direct challenge!"

 Chapter 129: | 129 | Southern Troubles

    "W-What is that!" In the docks of the southern colony, a crewman pointed at the horizon with horror on his face. His resounding words brought the attention of everyone in the dock, making them turn their attention to the distant seas.


    As their eyesid upon it, they noticed a small silhouette permeating in the lines of the boundless horizon. It was small, but noticeable. All of them squinted their eyes, trying to make sense of what they had seen.


    "Is that a ship?" One of the crewmen questioned while staring at the tiny silhouette in the far distance. Another one stepped forward and remarked. "The colony has issued a ban in sailing because of someplicated circumstances."


    "Every trading ship belonging to the colonial dominion should have been ryed the closure of our ports to outsiders." Because of unknown reasons never told to them, the colony has closed all of its ports and banned the action of sailing out or in the ind.


    "Are they a foreign merchant ship?" Another crewman suggested. It made sense as foreign merchants weren''t connected to the colony inparison to the local ones.


    Before anyone could utter another word, several colonial guards began gathering in the docks. The crewmen who were unloading their goods felt dumbfounded by the tension culminating in the air. After all, out of nowhere, the colonial guards began acting as though they were preparing for war.


    "Hey, what''s going on?" One of the crewmen questioned the guards, who merely looked at him and ignored his existence. This made the crewmen even more confused, but a colonialmander soon stepped forward and exined the situation.


    "All of you should retreat from what you are doing. All northern docks have been closed off and filled to the brim with guards. I won''t say much, but I guess war ising to this colony." The colonialmander sighed to himself.


    He was aware of the situation scattered throughout the Colonial Dominion. One after another, colonies were being attacked by an unknown force. Though, to them, it wasn''t an unknown force as the attackers were fairly obvious.


    ''The United Navy... They consider themselves as liberators, which means that this colony full of ves will be one of their top targets. It seems that the colonial governor wasn''t wrong about the United Navy targeting us.''


    While he was a colonialmander, he disliked war the most as it was entirely chaotic and shrouded with death. War was difficult to make sense. Which was why he''d rather avoid it.


    But he was one of the colonialmanders of the colony, Austerus. He simply couldn''t back away in the first sign of trouble. He needed to fight and defend the colony as it was his duty to do so.


    ''However, I didn''t think that the United Navy would only send a single warship in a colony that has an army of five thousand men. Are they underestimating us? Or are they that confident?'' The colonialmander hoped that it would be the former.


    "At any rate, the northern shores will turn into a warzone in the not-so-far future. You should evacuate from the port and this city." The colonialmander ordered the crewmen, who nodded in understanding.


    They didn''t hesitate to follow the orders of the colonialmander. They understood that he wouldn''t lie about the situation of the colony. If his words were to be taken seriously, war was literally heading towards their colony.


    Seeing the crewmen scatter and evacuate themselves from the area, the colonialmander turned his attention to the colonial guards who were arming the docks with cannons.


    It would be a bloody battle, and he hoped he would survive it.


    Though, this wasn''t the time to be meek. It was time for him to raise their morale, and also his. So, the colonialmander stood in the shore wall of the port city and yelled out.


    "Hear me! We will be fighting against a force that has destroyed a colony and will continue destroying more. They are so powerful that the Colonial Dominion of Terra decided to gather its forces into its shores to protect itself."


    "But so what? We are the southern colony of Austerus. The riches of the south, and the strongest. Regardless of how many forces the so-called United Navy sends, we will defeat them and achieve victory!"


    After the colonialmander ended his speech, the colonial guards who were somewhat low in morale began to regain themselves. They looked at themander with determination and roared.


    "We will defend our shores! We will not let them pass! We will repel them from the colony!"


    "We will defend our shores!! We will not let them pass!! We will repel them from the colony!!"


    "We will defend our shores!!! We will not let them pass!!! We will repel them from the colony!!!"


    The cries of the colonial guards resounded throughout the northern shores of the port city. Their roars were like thunder,manding the very air they resided in.


    "For Austerus!" "For Austerus!" "For Austerus!"


    Seeing his riled up and determined men, the colonialmander smirked as he finally felt that they had a chance against their uing adversaries. He could only hope that their enemies underestimated them and sent a weaker force.


    However, it was saddening for the colonialmander of the port city. After all, the United Navy would never underestimate their enemies. They would send a force with the corresponding power to handle its targets.


    This was achieve through their intricate intelligencework and analysis team. The estimated military strength of the colonies surrounding the United Navy had already been thoroughly analyzed. Afterward was the beginning of the various operations.


    And so, the United Navy sent the UNS Guardian of the Seas into the northern shores of Austerus. A single amphibious assault ship, but it was enough. After all, with them... were the main force of the Special Response Unit, and its leader...


    The Dragon of the United Navy, Lace.


    ...


    Meanwhile, on the bow of the UNS Guardian of the Seas, a silver-haired girl with dark horns and ck tail stood against the wind. Her golden-irises glimmered with authority as she gazed into the northern shores of the colony in her guillotine.


    "It looks like they are expecting us." Lace muttered to herself, though a smirk remained on her face. Normally, she would have gotten her men to handle the defending forces in the northern shores.


    After all, she wanted them to gain some experience during the operation. However, things weren''t always meant to be, and Lace didn''t n in staying in the south for quite some time.


    While they go through the operation, the Port of Dawn remains defenseless against enemy attacks. With most of the naval forces outside of Crescere''s influence, who knows what could happen.


    ''Abraham is strong, he could probably handle himself. But he has his responsibility as the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. His duty is to protect the Port of Dawn, and if some situation arises where he needs to risk his life for it. He would do so without hesitation.''


    ''This must be avoided.'' Lace quietly thought to herself, solidifying her ns in the uing operation. She simply couldn''t avoid her pose as the lieutenant colonel of the special response unit. So, the operation must end as fast as possible.


    How? Well, the answer was fairly simple. She would handle everything herself. Destruction was the best thing she was good at, and it was the thing that this horrific colony needed the most.


    With this in mind, she turned her gaze towards the bridge and nodded at it. Afterward, she jumped from the bow of the UNS Guardian of the Seas and propelled herself into the heavens.


    The UNS Guardian of the Seas trembled with her action as it went deeper into the water by two meters. Luckily, the bow wasn''t devastated by Lace''s jump. The force was transferred easily into the seas below the metallic warship.


    Anyhow, in the heavens above, Lace observed the northern shores who were riddled with fortifications and defenses. After making note of every one of them, Lace closed her eyelids and gathered her power.


    Through her evolution, she had be stronger than ever before. The three primal beast deities wouldn''t stand a chance against her, unless of course, they also ate their own elder hearth.


    Nheless, her ability to utter destruction had been multiplied into a hundredfold. There was no need for her to unleash her breath of mes or to m her body into the ground to destroy her enemies.


    What she needed was time and patience.


    "I rarely return to my true form since it impedes me from my goal of being with Abraham. But since he isn''t with me at the moment, I don''t have any reason to hesitate." Lace mumbled as her eyes glowed in golden neon hue.


    *Bang!*


    A golden and brilliant arc of lightning enveloped her body as her human silhouette slowly transformed into its dragon-serpentine form. In a mere moment following the radiance in the heavens, what emerged was nature''s strongest weapon.


    Her eastern dragon form had grownrger than ever before. She had reached the length of 1,000 meters and the diameter of 75 meters. Her ck scales glimmered in the light of the luminescent sun, while her golden eyes lustered in dominion.


    The Dragon has emerged!

 Chapter 130: | 130 | The Dragon of Liberation

    The colonial guards in the northern shores were a somewhat confident and determined in defending it. Even if they were fighting against a superior force, they believed they could handle and buy time for more reinforcements from the interior toe.


    Sadly, however... Their confidence and determination were shattered the moment a gigantic ck eastern dragon materialized in the heavens amidst a golden radiance.


    It radiated with authority while its golden and slitted eyes conveyed domination over everything. In their eyes, it was akin to a god. The final and apex form of life, its harbinger. A destroyer.


    "A-ah..." The colonial guards couldn''t even properly scream or cry out in horror. Their voice would break the moment it sounded out from their lips. The fear was palpable as none of them could even dare to run against such monstrosity.


    On the other hand, the colonialmander wondered where everything went wrong. What had they done to have such a dragon in their skies? Well, the answer to that question was fairly simple.


    Before them was the Dragon of Liberation, Lace of the United Navy. The moment they had enved many of the beastfolk tribe and sold them into other Colonial Dominions. Their destiny had already been deeply rooted.


    "Colonial Commander, what do we do?" A colonial guard asked the colonialmander for orders despite his despairing face. After all, he needed to hear the order of the colonialmander to shake off the despair of the dragon before them.


    Realizing that he had been too affected by the dragon, the colonialmander took a deep breath and desired to calm himself down. Although, it would be difficult to do so. It must be done for the sake of his men.


    ''They are relying on me. They need my guidance, my orders.'' He quietly thought while calming his throbbing heart. It took a moment, but he did regain some of his calm. Though, not all. He could still feel his legs and arms somewhat shivering.


    "All of you must retreat from the northern shores. Scatter and escape into the interior." The colonial guards expected to receive an order to fight for their deaths. But theirmander unexpectedly order them to run away from the battlefield.


    Every one of them felt respect to the colonialmander. After all, the abolishment of the northern shore frontline in this city would be his responsibility.


    However, the colonialmander didn''t do it out for the goodness of his heart or his cowardness. Regardless if they stand against or run away from the dragon, the results would be the same.


    If they kept being huddled together, it would be easier for the dragon above them to destroy them from existence. So, gathering together would practically make it easier for the dragon to decimate the northern battlefront.


    "Go, don''t waste time! Retreat and run away from this city!" He yelled, bringing the colonial guards under hismand out of their trance. They nced at him before slowly running away from their positions.


    He didn''t give a damn about courage at the moment. He was merely giving the colony an extra forces they could use against the invading force.


    ''*Sigh...* Why did I be a colonialmander? Farming in Europa would have been better for me.'' The colonialmander silently thought to himself, regretting the path he had chosen.


    He had previously thought he was lucky to have been a colonialmander in the safest Colonial Dominion of the Ferus Sea. After all, it was the closest to Europa. Never did he knew that it would be the first in the chopping block of Colonial Dominions.


    As thoughts surged into the mind of the colonialmander, the ck eastern dragon in the heavens slowly opened its mouth. Inside its maw was a gathering arc of golden lightning, fusing against each other.


    It was fairly clear that the dragon was about to unleash an attack.


    The colonialmander could only kneel before the dragon with a face of eptance. There was nothing he could do against the mightiest creature of nature. At the very least, he hadn''t thrown his men into a needless sacrifice.


    ''Even though I regret bing a colonialmander, it is also my greatest achievement. To be honest, I feel honored to see such a beautiful creature in my life.'' He didn''t know if he was falling into madness, but he slowly felt calm for some reason.


    The arc of golden lightning inside the dragon''s mouth gleamed with unparalleled radiance. It was beginning to overshine the light of the sun illuminating the heavens. To him, it started to look like the mighty sword of a divine god.


    A momentter, the dragon unleashed its devastating attack. A beam of concentrated golden lighting piercing through the air, burning everything in its path. The airbusted while the winds buzzed in excitement.


    Following them was... Impact!


    Somewhere in the northern shore, a radiant light lustered like the morning light of the rising sun. The colonialmander could clearly see it with his eyes. And he realized what the dragon had targeted.


    ''It seems that the northern fortress of Austerus was the first one that got hit.'' His thought was clear and concise. There was no despair, he didn''t have the energy to do so anymore. He could only observe everything before his inevitable death.


    What came after the golden radiance was the loudest explosion he had ever heard in his life.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The shockwave of the dragon''s attack devastated surrounding regions. Dozen of houses crumbled upon contact with the crazed winds while the sea churned in and out itself from the power of the explosion.


    The colonialmander couldn''t handle the shockwave and fell to the ground. It sted his eardrums open, making his ears ring in a distorted hue. Blood also began to trickle from his mouth, while his skin felt the temperature around him increase.


    Nevertheless, regardless of his injuries, he reverently muttered into the heavens.


    "T-This is the Dragon of Liberation."


    ...


    In the bridge of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, Captain Howard saw the effects of Lace''s st through the cameras of a reconnaissance drone. It was devastating, to say the least. The northern fortress of Austerus became nothing more but a crater.


    "I thought I already understood the power of the dragoness. It looks like I''m still as ignorant as the rest. To think she would have such power in her grasps without relying in technology." Captain Howard mumbled to himself, obviously shocked by what had happened.


    After thinking about the st, he turned his nce towards an intelligence officer and uttered a question. "How strong was the st of the dragoness?" It was a simple one, which the intelligence officer immediately answered.


    "From the diameter of the crater and the radius affected by the explosion, it should have the estimated strength of a 300-kiloton nuclear missile strike." Hearing the words nuclear from the intelligence officer, Captain Howard felt even more impress.


    "So, the lieutenant colonel is capable of mass destruction." Captain Howard nodded in understanding and finally knew why both the vice admiral and fleet admiral relented to the antics of the dragoness.


    She wasn''t mere a dragon, but a being capable of mass destruction.


    Having her an ally would prove invaluable for the United Navy.


    The capability of mass destruction wasn''t astounding for the United Navy. Sooner orter, they would regain their nuclear arsenal. But the dragoness was a walking nuclear dispenser. It might be the reason why she was considered as the sword of the fleet admiral.


    But before Captain Howard could continue with his thoughts, an intelligence officer called out for his attention. "Sir, you may want to look at this."


    Hearing the words of the intelligence officer, Captain Howard followed their gaze and saw the dragoness charging another st in her mouth. Golden arcs of lightning fused inside her mouth, gleaming in utter radiance.


    "She wasn''t exhausted by that attack?" Captain Howard raised his eyebrows since throwing an attack of mass destruction was already impressive in itself. Doing another one after performing it was even more so.


    It didn''t take long before the golden radiance overshone the light of the sun, and what followed was a beam of lustering brilliance. It pierced through the heavens and impacted a northern city brimming with colonial guards.


    A glimmering glow met with the northern city, and it disintegrated into nothingness, followed by a resounding shockwave.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The reconnaissance drone observing the status of the northern shores while flying through the heavens shook from the turbulence brought about by the explosion.


    The shimmering radiance then faded, and what reced it was a mushroom cloud reaching kilometers into the sky. The northern city had disappeared from the map, and in its ce was arge crater.


    The naval personnel in the bridge of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas could only observe in silence. None of them uttered a singlement about the spectacr explosion of the dragoness.


    Though, it''s not like there was anything they could say other than powerful.


    Although, they were bound to be even more astounded. After all, Lace nned to destroy every military gathering in the colony of Austerus through her sheer destructive breath.


    With this in mind, another arc of golden lightning gathered inside her mouth, fusing with one another. This action was decisively recorded by the reconnaissance drone and caused everyone in the bridge of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas to have their eyes wide open.


    "Perhaps, I should treat her as the wife of the fleet admiral from now on." Captain Howard wryly smiled as he was now afraid of idently offending the dragoness and getting his head sted by a 300-kiloton st.

 Chapter 131: | 131 | The Fall of Austerus

    In the capital city of the southern colony, Austerus. A dreadful silence shrouded the marbled buildings and bricked streets. Groups of colonial guards patrolled the streets and guarded the three dividing circr walls preparing for the inevitable.


    As the capital city faced its dreadedndscape, its central castle faced another challenged. After all, while the city faced the unknown, those in the control were confronted by the horrifying truth.


    "I- Is this the truth?" An old man questioned with a tone brimming with doubts. He couldn''t believe the reports about the status of the northern side of the colony. To think that their military outposts scattered throughout the northernnds would be destroyed in mere moments.


    "It is the truth, Colonial Governor. These report could only be gain from the survivors of the northern side. Other than that, it became a wastnd covered with craters." The secretary reported with a hopeless voice.


    It sounded cold, pragmatic, only speaking of the truth. His feelings had already gone astray the moment he recorded the amount of casualties in the northern massacre.


    "But how? How could have they done such thing? I thought we were merely facing a single warship!? *Bam!*" The colonial governor mmed his hand onto the table. His mind surged with questions of all kinds. And he wanted answers.


    Even though the colonial governor looked extremely pissed in front of him, the secretary merely lifted his sses and answered each of his governor''s questions.


    "The north of Austerus was devastated through a variety of explosions. And the reason why they could do such a thing despite merely being one ship is simple. It was done by someone aboard on the ship." The secretary stopped for a second and continued.


    "The Dragon of Liberation... That is what the survivors call the dragon that materialized in the heavens and sted everything on the ground. Her identity is Lace, formerly known as the Dragon of the Revolting Tide."


    "We already knew she was a part of the United Navy. Though, we didn''t expect for her to grow stronger. Her records didn''t utter any violent explosions in the wake of her breath. This means that she had advanced into a higher form."


    "It should exin why she looks incredibly bigger than her former size. At any rate, with her in the heavens of Austerus. We don''t stand a chance." The secretary finally uttered the truth that no one wanted to hear.


    It was the fact that they stood no chance against their adversary.


    "B-But why is she working with the United Navy?" The colonial governor asked since the United Navy was a human-heretical organization. Why would be a beastfolk working for a human organization?


    It doesn''t make sense to him.


    "Perhaps, their goals simply aligned with one another. It was already noted that the United Navy doesn''t have the same values as the entirety of humanity. They consider the freedom of all sapient life as above all else, contradicting with the covenants erected by the Sovereigns."


    The secretary didn''t care about why the dragoness was working with the United Navy. What mattered was their current circumstance. The Dragon of Liberation was obviously aiming for the dismantlement of the colonial government.


    Thus, the colony of Austerus must be destroyed.


    He started working as a secretary because of how easy and safe the job waspared to the colonial military. Now, it became an anchor to danger. He had to be with the colonial governor, otherwise he would be branded a traitor.


    As such, he simply went to do his job and epted his fate of inevitable death. Panicking, regretting, and despairing over such a destiny was merely tiresome for someone like him.


    Nheless, while the colonial governor seemed horrified, it appears he still held the confidence of his wealth and military might. It was understandable, after all, the colony of Austerus was the strongest colony in the south of the Colonial Dominion.


    However, it was secretary''s duty to report every information in the table. So, he continued reporting to the colonial governor, specifically the casualties in the north.


    "Before the massacre, the north had a military poption of half of our entire forces. At the moment, less than a third of his half survived the massacre. And most of them aren''t nning to return to the capital and get remobilize."


    "The forces in our capital is half of what remained in our military. The remaining are defending the high-priority port cities in the south, west, and east. The morale of our troops is lowering by the minute, because of the unknown and the negative anticipation of the battle."


    The secretary didn''t hold back, and reality finally set in for the colonial governor. He now understood the situation and knew he had no chance since the beginning. But before he could fall into despair, he asked a vital information from the secretary.


    "What about the civilians left behind in the interior northern cities? Have they been massacred?" This was an important question for the colonial governor as it would be the foundation of his uing strategy.


    "They are alive, Colonial Governor. The civilians of various northern cities have been spared. Only military instations were devastated by the attack of the Dragon of Liberation. This is the main reason why less than a third of our northern forces survive."


    "Otherwise, there would be survivors in the north." The secretary answered as he felt a bad feeling from the frozen colonial governor. And he was right. The following words of the colonial governor almost made him frown.


    "Wouldn''t that mean that the dragon wouldn''t destroy the capital? After all, there are civilians scattered throughout the three walls." What the colonial governor said made sense. But relying in the mercy of their adversary was as foolish as it gets.


    Sadly, there was nothing the secretary could do with the delusional old man. And it''s not like there was anything he could do even if he didn''t hesitate. After all, the Dragon of Liberation was already above them.


    *ROAR!!!*


    Everyone in the capital city of Austerus slowly turned their gaze upward. Above them was a gigantic eastern ck dragon that was a kilometer long. It was d in jet-ck scales while its golden eyes glowed with unparalleled radiance.


    Its roar was heard by everyone and everything. It was like the hammer of justice. The capital city had be part of the court where the dragon would be its judge.


    The colonial governor had his mouth wide open, but he believed his earlier strategy. The Dragon of Liberation wouldn''t destroy the capital city with its breath. Fortunately for him, he was right. The dragon squinted its eyes and soon, golden brilliance shrouded its body.


    What followed the gleaming golden light was the disappearance of the dragon. The monstrous being that dwelled before the heavens disappeared, and the skies calmed down as though nothing happened.


    "A-Ah... I was right!" The colonial governor yelled out and began celebrating like an old man who won the lottery. The secretary kept gazing at the skies and felt that something was amiss.


    It was at this moment that he realized, while the dragon would have spared the city. That didn''t mean that it would spare the central castle and its colonial governor. With this in mind, the secretary was about to warn the colonial governor.


    Sadly, he was toote.


    "My, my... Aren''t you quite a celebrative one." A beautiful voice sounded out of nowhere, bringing about the attention of the colonial governor and his secretary. The colonial governor felt his spine shiver and he immediately yelled out.


    "Assassin!" The moment his voice escaped his lips, numerous colonial guards entered his office. There were also various generals who were waiting to have a meeting with him.


    The moment they entered the colonial governor''s office. They only saw a beautiful white-haireddy wearing a jet-ck suit. She had ck horns and a dark tail, making her akin to a summoned devil.


    Though, she might as well be one to them.


    "Immediately calling out for your men, I don''t know if I should be impress or disappointed. But I understand your fear. This colony has little to no wyvern riders, and has no Magus. I would also fear myself, so I won''t fault you."


    The edges of her lips slowly rose as she pointed at the newly-arrived men. In a moment, golden arc of lightning escaped her finger. It shot into the entrance of the office, and immediately fried the colonial guards and generals of Austerus.


    "W-What do you want! I will be willing to pay for my life. Do you want wealth? ves? Power?" The colonial governor decided to negotiate for his life. Sadly, it wouldn''t work.


    To dismantle the colony of Austerus, was to terminate the colonial government and its leader, the colonial governor.


    "I don''t need your wealth or power. He''s already enough." Lace smirked and responded to the colonial governor with confidence. Afterward, she appeared in front of the colonial governor and swiftly crushed his head.


    Blood sttered all over the office, though most that dared to strike the dragoness''s body was disintegrated into dust. Though, the secretary didn''t have such a spectacr power. So, he was left with being fully covered of the blood of his boss.


    After killing the colonial governor, Lace''s job in the colony of Austerus was done. She slowly turned her golden eyes towards the secretary and ordered him.


    "There should be the remains of the colonial military scattered throughout the colony. Make them surrender, and I will not hunt you."


    The secretary rapidly nodded when he heard her orders. He didn''t dare to hesitate, and it was his chance to not die. With this in mind, he didn''t hesitate to take it.


    "I shall do so, Lady Lace." He kneeled and bowed before the Dragon of Liberation.

 Chapter 132: | 132 | Ambush

    "Fleet Admiral, the operations of the United Navy are going smoothly. Their first phases have beenpleted, most of them are initiating their second phase." In the fleet admiral''s office, an intelligence officer coolly reported the status of the war.


    "That''s good. It seems that everyone is working hard." Sitting on hisfy and luxurious chair, Abraham nodded in satisfaction as he thought about the battles his subordinates were fighting.


    With the wyvern riders and Magus gone, most of the colonies they were attacking would be nothing more but skeleton fortresses. Against the modern technology of the United Navy, these colonies stood no chance.


    However, he didn''t want to underestimate the capabilities of his adversaries. While he was capable of hatching a scheme, they were also inclinedto do the same.


    Through this thought process, Abraham decided to stay in the Port of Dawn and managed the operations without directly being in them. This would be efficient, and would be easier for him to adapt to whatever schemes their opponents have made.


    And it appears that he was right.


    "I am lucky to have such hard working subordinates. And it looks like I''ll have to do my part too." The edges of his lips rose since he had already determined his heart for the inevitable.


    "Please leave my office," Abraham said to the intelligence officer, who looked at his eyes before nodding in understanding. "I shall do so, Fleet Admiral." The officer saluted and left his office afterward.


    Silence followed and shrouded his office. Abraham couldn''t help but sigh and utter without hesitance. "The United Navy is extremely powerful, especiallypared to the technologicallycking adversary."


    "However, there are two troublesome issues that came up during my experience with the United Navy. It was our defenseless nature against magicraft and ourck of numbers."


    "I will be honest. The United Navy and I are ignorant of the intricacies of magic. So, building a defense against it would be to bid our time. Ourck of numbers merely stems from me, and the need for conflict to grow."


    "In actuality, the United Navy is a military force. Peace are our bane, and conflict make us stronger. Regardless of our desires to gain peace and liberate those enve by tyrants. At any rate, I''m sure none of you are interested in the chattering of a middle-aged man."


    "Am I right?" Abraham stared in the shadows of his office as he questioned. What followed was the emergence of several figures d in dark cloaks. They were the Inquisitors of Europa, and they were after his head as the leader of the so-called heretical organization, the United Navy.


    "We underestimated you, Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd." The leading Inquisitor remarked and slowly took of his dark hood. His face escaped its confines, revealing a red-haired young man with amber-colored eyes.


    "Your wisdom is as great as the words your subordinates utter. In mere months, your United Navy has be a force that rivals a Colonial Dominion."


    "I see... It seems that you have also investigated my identity." Abraham lightly chuckled, uncaring of the circumstance he found himself in. "Though, it''s bad manners to appear without introducing one''s self, correct?"


    He raised his eyebrows, staring at the red-haired young man in front of him. The Inquisitors became tense and swiftly prepared their grimoires for the uing battle.


    "Calm yourselves... Sir Abraham is merely asking a question." The red-haired Inquisitor uttered to his subordinates and turned his attention to the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    "Apologies for not introducing myself, call me Leonhart." The red-haired Inquisitor, or Leonhart lightly bowed as he introduced himself.


    "Leonhart, huh? You must be the ones causing trouble." Abraham calmly used which Leonhart didn''t reject. The Inquisitors were brewing trouble throughout the sea region of Terra, so his usation weren''t wrong.


    While the fleet admiral appeared calm in the outside, his mind wasn''t as tranquil as it''d like to be. Thoughts surged as he wondered about the possibilities and probability of his survival.


    During this precarious times, Abraham was inwardly conversing with his trusted and precious partner, Systema.


    ''They have surrounded me, Systema. It shouldn''t take long before the helpes to my office. But one would wonder if they could handle a group of Inquisitors on their own.'' ording to their intelligence, Inquisitors were akin to specially-trained Magus.


    Practically, the secret police of some sort.


    A mechanical bell rang inside his mind and the monotone voice of his partner followed.


    *Ding!*


    | Systema cannot do much to your circumstance, Fleet Admiral. But I can help in assisting you with probability calction, making sure you choose the best options of your situation. |


    ''Alright, do that. I simply need all the help I need.'' Abraham wasn''t dissatisfied with the not-so-uplifting assistance of Systema. After all, she wasn''t an omnipotent being inside the Naval Gacha System. Instead, she was merely a manager that connects him to the system.


    At the very least, she had his back, which could prove usefulter down the line.


    | Calcting surrounding motion, nning best course of action... |


    | Chances of escape...100% |


    | Negative, including variable, "Magicraft" |


    | Variable included! |


    | Chances of escape... 95%... 80%...65%...40%...25%.....10% |


    | n constructed! Attack and retreat. Shoot the Inquisitors as a diversion and unload two bullets at the window. Immediately jump and run away through the streets. |


    Hearing the n that Systema had made, Abraham found himself dumbfounded. He was shocked at how maddening it was.


    ''What do you mean jump from the window? Do you know how high my office is? I''ll die with my guts sttered on the ground.'' Abraham found the n to be suicidal and he didn''t want to die yet. He had ns with Lace, so there was no dying for him.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral''s daily training has built an impressive physique. You should stop treating yourself like a normal human. |


    Systema''s remark was the truth. Because of the perk of recovery and Abraham''s intense daily training, his physique had grown beyond what was conceived as normal. It was because of this that he was able tost for an entire night fighting against the dragoness on their nightly adventures.


    Otherwise, he would have died with a dried husk as a corpse.


    Returning back to the scene before him, Abraham turned his gaze towards the window and uttered. "I don''t appreciate you messing with my subordinates. I suggest you to return to where you came from."


    He warned the Inquisitors as the moment Lace found out about them. She would probably be hunting them, and he wouldn''t even bother to stop her. The existence of the Inquisitors poses a threat to the security of the United Navy and its allies.


    "Unfortunately, Sir Abraham. We can''t do that. We mustplete the mission given to us." Leonhart smirked while the Inquisitors prepared their spells.


    "Oh, that must mean that you have been sent to assassinate me." Abraham tone made it seem as though he wasn''t bothered about the implications of the Inquisitor''s emergence.


    "The Sovereigns have found your existence, troubling... To say the least. They want you out of their pearly gates of their backyard." The red-haired Inquisitor appears to love yapping, which Abraham found useful.


    He could dig more information about what the enemy thought of him. And it looks like, he was but an annoyance to them. A squirrel of some sort that managed to get into their backyard.


    Well, it was the best thing that could ever have happen. Otherwise, if they really viewed him as an actual threat. They would have emerged before the skies of the Port of Dawn and annihted it from existence.


    ''At any rate, I don''t have time left. It''s time to enact the n.'' Abraham thought and closed his eyelids before speaking to Leonhart. "How saddening. Regrettably, this annoyance has no ns leaving their backyard."


    "I will make it mine." The fleet admiral smirked and took out a revolver from his holster.


    Without any hesitation, he pointed it towards the Inquisitors and pulled the trigger.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    The Inquisitors activated their defense spells simultaneously and blocked the iing bullets of the revolver. Though, it didn''t end there. Abraham kicked the table towards the Inquisitors and turned his gaze towards the windows.


    *Pam!*


    "Don''t let him escape!" Leonhard casted a spell, but sadly, he was toote. Abraham grinned and shot his remaining bullets at the window breaking it apart. Without hesitation or dy, he jumped from his office, falling several stories high.


    A lightning bolt crackled out from the office, while hended on the ground breaking a bone along the way. Abraham gritted his teeth since his rolling maneuver didn''t entire work. But at the very least, he didn''t die.


    "Damn! I don''t want to ever do that again!" He expressed his annoyance and immediately ran through the streets of the Port of Dawn.


    Mere seconds after his escape, rms echoed throughout the port as the United Army was awakened by the attempted assassination of their fleet admiral.


    Abraham thought that the Inquisitors would retreat, giving him time to get some reinforcements. After all, they wouldn''t want to fight an entire army behind enemy lines.


    However, he underestimated the madness that stems from these so-called Inquisitors.


    They were crazy bastards.


    *BOOM!!!*


    A fireballnded beside Abraham, making him roll to the side. He pointed his revolver to where it came from and fired a couple of shots.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    Then, he reloaded, firing another salvo.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    The shields of the Inquisitors were tough. His gun could only slow them down, but it was enough. A Humvee emerged beside him and the driver yelled. "Get in, Fleet Admiral!"


    *BBRRRRRrrrrrttttt!*


    A soldier manning the 50. caliber machine gun fired at the Inquisitors, who backed away after noticing the cracks on their barriers when met with the rain of lead.


    "Take me out of here, and prepare our Anti-Magus Guns!" Abraham ordered while the Humvee immediately got out of the branch office building.


    It was fortunate that the streets were rtively empty during his escape. Other than some property damage, no lives were lost, which was a piece of good news for the Fleet Admiral

 Chapter 133: | 133 | Surviving an Assassination

    One after another, the Inquisitors appeared in the streets under the fleet admiral''s office. They nced at the destruction brought about by their spells while thinking about how their target managed to escape from their grasps.


    Leonhart turned his gaze towards the broken window and saw the height of the fall. Without magic, he would have died upon hitting the ground. The fact that the fleet admiral managed to survive meant that something was amiss with him.


    "It seems that the fleet admiral of the United Navy isn''t merely a weak human with no magical capabilities. Some of our intel about him were wrong. After all, is it normal for a human with no mana to survive such a fall?"


    He expressed to his subordinates, who nodded in agreement. The circumstance of their target was strange. But this was a world where strangeness was the ordinary. As such, it was easy for them to adapt.


    Their questions would be sooner orter get answered. For now, they needed to have their focus on the mission.


    "Should we retreat, Sir Leonhart?" An Inquisitor calmly asked, making the red-haired Inquisitor shake his head and reply. "No, most of the United Navy is far from this ind. This is the greatest chance we could ever have to dispose of him."


    "Track and terminate him. Destroy everything along the way if needed." Leonhart ordered his Inquisitors to spread out and find their target. He must be killed before the dragoness learned of this.


    Otherwise, the sea region of Terra would be turned upside down.


    "Understood, Sir Leonhart. We will find the heretic leader." One of the Inquisitors lightly bowed and disappeared from the spot. Many others followed as they scattered throughout the Port of Dawn to find the agent of heretical knowledge and ideas.


    Leonhart was left alone, silence singing in his ears. He observed his surroundings and noticed the uniqueness of the Port of Dawn. The structures the United Navy constructed were far different from the imperial and gothic structures of Europa.


    It was clean, covered in ivory.


    "I guess I should investigate the inner works of this organization." Leonhart muttered to himself and disappeared like his subordinates. Mere moments after he left, several soldiers arrived through a military truck and surrounded the branch office building.


    Guards also got out of the branch office building and began scrutinizingly inspecting the area for any enemy influence.


    "Where is the fleet admiral! Is he alive?" The army second lieutenant leading the reinforcements questioned the guards. They seriously looked at him and replied. "The fleet admiral is alive, Sir! He has escaped through a military Humvee. But the assassins are chasing after him."


    "Fuck! Protect the fleet admiral no matter what! Use your bodies or mine if needed to." The army second lieutenant cursed and got into the military truck, heading towards themand base in the defense sector where the fleet admiral might be sent to get protected.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Abraham was sitting at the back of the Humvee, clenching his teeth. While he survived falling over dozens of meters in height, it didn''t do well for his body. Some of his bones were broken, though it was manageable.


    A short treatment and recovery should help him.


    But for now, escaping the damn Inquisitors was his priority.


    "Where are we going?" He coolly questioned while his body maintained its tense state. It wasn''t the time to rx yet, those bastards were probably chasing him. After all, this was the best time to assassinate him.


    Following their retreat, they would have little to no chance. Practically ending the mission given to them by their precious Sovereigns.


    "Fleet Admiral, our destination is themand center in the defense sector. The United Army has prepared a decisive defense formation throughout thepound along with scattered Anti-Magus Gun snipers." The driver responded while driving swiftly through the streets.


    "Good, have them prepare everything we have against the Magus. I expected a Maguse for an assassination, but never did I thought they would send a group of them for a measly human like me." Abraham wryly smiled.


    He wasn''t ignorant of the implications regarding the fact that he had sent most of his fighting force to take care of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It was a risky move, but it was also a needed one. If their operations was a sess, the only remaining adversary would be the Colonial Dominion, Terra.


    The moment they take over the sea region of Terra, they would be able to solidify their standing in the Ferus Sea and finally be considered as a force by the monsters of the foreign world.


    However, the aftermath for the operations was forter. For now, his survival was paramount.


    "The fleet admiral is far from a measly human," The driver smiled and remarked. To them, the fleet admiral was the greatest man that could ever have existed. Leading the United Navy in a foreign world covered with dangerous beings or phenomena, while also ensuring its survival.


    It was a heavy responsibility, but a responsibility their fleet admiral took nheless.


    So, everyone in the United Navy had high degrees of respect, admiration, and love towards their fleet admiral. With him on their side, it was as though they could do everything and anything.


    "You are the Fleet Admiral of the United Nav-"


    *BOOM!*


    Before the driver could continue, a fireball exploded beside the Humvee causing it to tip over and crashed onto a small park.


    It rolled over into the grassyndscape andnded upside down. Abraham grunted and quickly nced at the driver who was fortunately alive, merely unconscious.


    "As expected, it was too early to celebrate." He sighed and muttered to himself. He took out his revolver and made sure that it was reloaded before asking some suggestions from his precious partner.


    ''Any suggestions can help, Systema.'' Abraham thought inside his mind, and what followed was the ring of a mechanical bell.


    *Ding!*


    | Calcting probabilities... |


    | Searching for escape routes... |


    | Dividing possible courses... |


    | Calction concluded! |


    | Suggestion: Fight |


    The suggestion of Systema made Abraham astounded, but after thinking a short moment, it made sense. He was currently in a small park, surrounded by a t ground in all sides.


    This meant that he couldn''t hide at something during his escape. His back might as well be a target ring for the Inquisitors, and he''d rather avoid getting hit from behind. With this in mind, Abraham understood that a fight to the death was inevitable.


    ''My heart is rapidly beating. My muscles are tense. I can feel the hair on my skin tingling and standing up. This is my first time in an actual deadly situation without anyone to rely on other than myself.''


    ''But why... For some reason, I feel excited.'' He wondered if he got Lace''s madness during their nightly interactions. Especially when he was bing excited at the thought of fighting.


    Abraham took a deep breath and calm his heart. He then closed his eyelids and listened carefully to his surroundings. Steps echoed inside his mind, and when it got louder, his gaze sharpened while he held his revolver tightly.


    It was time.


    In one instance, Abraham kicked through the crackled window of the Humvee and rolled to the side. After standing up and regaining his stance, he turned his gaze towards the two Magus who caused his vehicle to flip over.


    Squinting his eyes, he pointed the revolver at them and fired.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    Bullets pierced through the air and impacted at the defensive barriers of the Inquisitors. The winds bellowed while thunderous gunshots sang. Noticing the ineffectiveness of his revolver, Abraham turned his attention to the gunner of the Humvee.


    The gunner was lucky to have gotten inside the military vehicle before it flipped over. Otherwise, he would have been a mush of flesh sttered along the grassyndscape.


    At any rate, what Abraham was interested at was the weapon of the gunner, a 50. caliber machine gun. It had already proven its effectiveness during his earlier escape, so it must prove itself once again at this moment.


    *Crackle!* Lightning bolts struck the Humvee, causing electricity to crackle in the air. Abraham stepped nearer to the machine gun and held it tightly between his fingers. He inspected its ammunition and its barrel, making sure that it wasn''t skewered before he used it.


    The short inspection ended with no problems in the machine gun. Abraham sighed in relief while a fireball flew beside him, bringing about another explosion.


    *BOOM!*


    "Reveal yourself heretic, and ept your end. Be honored to be killed by the Inquisitors, the grace of the Sovereigns." An arrogance voice resounded from one of the Inquisitors.


    Abraham merely frown since no one would like to have explosions and fireballs thrown at them. He silently nced at them and determined their positions.


    After some thoughts inside his mind, he emerged from the side of the Humvee with the machine gun''s barrel pointed at the Inquisitors. At first, they thought he would be shooting his puny gun at them.


    But now, the thing that was pointed at them was not puny at all. It was the one that almost broke their defensive spells.


    Before they could react, Abraham pulled the trigger and began sting the entirety of the remaining ammunition to the two Inquisitors.


    *BBRRRRRRrrrrrtttt!*


    Their shields kept up at first, but it couldn''t handle the rain of 50. caliber lead. Following a couple of cracks, the Inquisitor''s defensive shields broke apart like mirror and the Inquisitors faced the unending torrent of bullets.


    In a split second, dozens of holes riddled throughout their bodies as they fell backward with a thud.

 Chapter 134: | 134 | Taking Out the Inquisitors

    Abraham stood over the corpses of the Inquisitors riddled with dozens upon dozens of holes. Blood dripped from every one of them, bringing about a crimson pool amidst the evergreen grassyndscape of the park.


    While he carefully observed them, etching their image to his very heart and mind. A low groan sounded out from the Humvee, taking his attention. He turned his gaze towards the upside down military vehicle and saw his subordinates awakening from their terrific experience.


    "Aurgh!"


    "Dam-nit!"


    The driver and the machine gunner of the Humvee awoken from their slumber. They immediately noticed their upside down perspective, making them realized how they hadnded upon their unexpected tumble.


    Though, instead of worrying about themselves, the two of them looked around inside the military vehicle trying to find their fleet admiral. After all, his safety was paramount and they had failed to maintain his safety.


    "The two of you calm down. I''m here, alive and well." Abraham crouched, looking over the two soldiers through the broken front window of the Humvee. The edges of his lips rose as he smirked at the two.


    "I''m more or less good, how about the two of you? Are you in pain or injured?" He questioned while his smirk faded, reced by tender seriousness. While he was okay, that didn''t mean that the soldiers with him would be in the same state.


    After all, he was different from an ordinary human. Others would have sttered upon impact after falling so high, or they would have gone unconscious in the crash. But none of such things happened to him.


    His body was far stronger than he could have imagined.


    "The two of us are okay, Sir. Our bodies have gone through worser than this." The driver responded while the machine gunner nodded in agreement.


    Seeing that they were really okay, Abraham sighed in relief and stepped closer to them with his head lowered near the window. "While I''d like for us to be in a hospital to get treatment, our adversaries have already arrived."


    "I want the two of you toy low and retreat from the park. Since I''m still in capable conditions, I should hold them off while the two of you escape." He suggested to the two men.


    Naturally, they shook their heads and t-out rejected his suggestion. They were the warriors of the United Army. Running away while their fleet admiral bought time was akin to treachery to them. It was something that would appear in their nightmares.


    "I''m afraid we cannot run away, Sir. Instead, we will fight you. We still have enough strength and capability to hold a gun. As such, we must face our enemy." The machine gunner expressed his thoughts.


    "He''s correct, Fleet Admiral. We shall not retreat while you fight in our stead. We are the warriors of the United Army, not some random children in need of saving." It appears that the driver''s thought aligned with the former.


    Seeing their determined words and resolute expressions, Abraham understood that they were as stubborn as him when deciding to do something. With this in mind, he didn''t force them to retreat but instead gave them weapons.


    "Alright, since the two of you won''t run away. You will be fighting to the death with me. Our enemies are the secret police of the Inquisitors. They are skilled in magicraft, making them an unexpected and unknown variable."


    "The only effective weapon we got against them is the machine gun. So, I''ll have to use it wisely." Abraham held the machine gun tightly and continued. "The two of you will provide cover for me and attract their attention."


    "These assault rifles of yours should prove itself to be enough." He pointed at the assault rifles in their hands. Even though they might not prate the shields of the Inquisitors, they should be able to get their attention.


    "I will be setting up a kill zone and I need them to be 20 meters away from the Humvee. Will the two of you be able to do that?" Abraham asked, while the other two saluted almost instantly and replied. "The Fleet Admiral''s wishes are ourmand."


    "We should be able to attract their attention, Sir." The driver said confidently to the middle-aged man. With the confidence that his subordinates had, he understood that he needed to rival their enthusiasm.


    "Okay, let''s begin!"


    ...


    In the entrance of the small park, several Inquisitors emerged from the darkness, gazing at the rolled over Humvee in the middle of the grassyndscape. They understood that it was the vehicle of their target, the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.


    But what astounded them was the two corpses near the Humvee. The bodies belonged to theirrades, who were alive just recently.


    "Be careful, they must still be alive." One of the Inquisitors said andmanded his grimoire to cast a protective spell around himself. The others also followed, further reinforcing their defensive spells.


    After their preparation, they walked closer to the Humvee and were about to cast another fireball towards it. However, before they could do so, they were met with the suppressive fire of the two men beside the military vehicle.


    "Take this!"


    *BBRrrrttt!*


    "For the Fleet Admiral!"


    *BRRrrtt!*


    While the bullets of the assault rifles were far from effective in prating their defensive spells. It still brought them disturbance that interrupted the casting sequence of the fireball spell.


    "Damn them! Kill these annoying mongrels!" The leading Inquisitor cried out while the other Inquisitors casted icicle spells and lightning bolts towards the military vehicle.


    The Humvee shook while ice grazed its armor and electricity crackled throughout its body. The driver and machine gunner remained in the sides of the military vehicle,ying suppressive fire towards the annoyed Inquisitors.


    But unfortunately for the two, their assault rifles soon lost its ammunition. The suppression was halted for a moment, however their took out their handguns and continued firing at the Inquisitors.


    Though, the Inquisitors already understood that the two were losing their ammunition. It wouldn''t take long until the Inquisitors would be right in front of them and they wouldn''t be able to do anything about it.


    "There are slowly dwindling their ammunition. Converse your spells and don''t waste mana. We will execute them once they lose everything in their hands." The leading Inquisitor calmly ordered.


    The others stopped casting their offensive spells and stood beside the leading Inquisitor. The handguns of the two soldiers soon finished up its ammunition, leaving them weaponless.


    When the leading Inquisitor noticed the unnatural silence after a few seconds, he smirked and soon signaled hisrades to follow him.


    They calmly walked towards the military vehicle where two men hid themselves as the leading Inquisitor remarked. "You should have surrendered the life of your heretical leader and be punished by the grace of the Sovereigns."


    As he said so, he chuckled along the way and thought of several torturous spells he would cast towards the two soldiers that wasted his time.


    But as he and his entourage got nearer to the Humvee, he noticed his heart beating rapidly for some reason. The hair on his skin rose as though detecting something.


    It was his instincts screaming at him.


    Unfortunately, the leading Inquisitor was already toote.


    Inside the Humvee was Abraham pointing the barrel of his machine gun towards the group of Inquisitors. The spells they casted were bothersome. Luckily, none of them conjured a fireball. Otherwise, it would have been problematic for him.


    ''However, I''ll probably survive.'' Even if they did cast some fireball and shot it at the Humvee, he would still survive the ordeal. That was how he was. A human who''s not so human anymore.


    Anyhow, Abraham didn''t hesitate and pulled the trigger of his machine gun. Crimson shes littered over the barrel of his gun as hundreds of rumbling echoes followed.


    *BBBRRRRRRrrrrrrtttt!*


    The proud Inquisitors who stood amidst the cornered Humvee now found themselves at deaths door. Their defensive spells cracked and copsed like a flimsy mirror. What followed was their bodies getting riddled with holes from the rain of lead.


    Abraham shot everything towards the Inquisitors, causing the scene tost for a dozen seconds. Afterward, silence followed along with the corpses of the Inquisitors.


    Though, the leading Inquisitor was crying in pain as he managed to survive Abraham''s ambush. On the other hand, Abraham raised his eyebrows, wondering how the guy managed to survive.


    It was then he noticed the leading Inquisitorying behind the bodies of multiple Inquisitors. This meant that he used hisrades as shields to saved himself.


    Abraham furrowed his eyes and got out of the metallic confines of the Humvee. He looked at the leading Inquisitor with disappointment clear in his gaze.


    "P-Please h-help me! I will pay y-you anything..." The leading Inquisitor begged since he felt his life waning before his eyes. He didn''t want to die, he still had many things to do to Europa and his Sovereign. He must not die.


    Nevertheless, destiny was always far from the expected.


    "Oh, my... I didn''t expect the Inquisitor ofthe infamous Sovereign of War to be begging for mercy." A mocking voice echoed, attracting the attention of everyone in the grassyndscape.


    Abraham and his men turned their gaze towards the direction of the voice and saw the red-haired Inquisitor. Abraham squinted his eyes and muttered. "Leonhart, you''rete."


    "Apologies for beingte, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd. I was merely observing your humble abode. I must say, it is fairly unique." Leonhart apologized while lightly bowing to Abraham.


    "Though, these trashes seem to be dirtying it." The red-haired Inquisitor frowned and flicked his fingers. The corpses of the Inquisitors burned in crimson mes, immediately disintegrating into ashes.


    After the bodies of the Inquisitors faded along the breeze of wind, Leonhart gazed at Abraham and announced.


    "It will be your turn."

 Chapter 135: | 135 | ?????? Arrival!

    "You aren''t holding back, huh?" Abraham grimly smiled while signaling his men to step back. The arrival of the red-haired Inquisitor was expected. After all, he wouldn''t leave until Abraham''s head was within the clutches of his fingers.


    "Underestimating you would be my downfall. I wouldn''t want to end up like those trash." Leonhart remarked while pointing at the spot where the corpses of the Inquisitors formerly gathered. At the moment, only a tinge of their ashes were left behind.


    "You sound like you hate your subordinates." Abraham raised his eyebrows since Leonhart was acting like his subordinates had killed his family. The way he spoke about them was as though speaking of maggots beyond human reasoning.


    It was understandable if such a tone was pointed at the ordingly-lower humans with no magic such as Abraham and the people in the United Navy, but having it pointed towards their own Magus. It seems that their hierarchy were much moreplicated than anticipated.


    "Please don''t misunderstand, Fleet Admiral Abraham. None of them are my subordinates. If they were, I would have killed them from their clear ipetence." Leonhart expressed as he spatted out disdainful words towards the dead.


    From the tone of the red-haired Inquisitor, it was fairly obvious that there was some internal rivalry amongst the Inquisitors. But after thinking about it for a short moment, Abraham understood why.


    ''While the Inquisitors stand together, they might be serving different Sovereigns all together. After all, even the faithful believers of a pantheon of gods would have their own favorite god they would personally worship.''


    He quietly thought and realized that the humanity of this world weren''t that much different from his. Well, it wasn''t a shocking fact. After all, even the humanity of his former world had its lowest of societies that might as well be considered as barbaric and maddening.


    "But since you are the strongest amongst them, you might as well be their leader. And you failed leading the so-called trashes, signifying your ipetence as a leading figure." Abraham expressed while shaking his head in disappointment.


    "Hmm... I fail to understand what you''re trying to say, Fleet Admiral." Leonhart squinted his eyes, finding himself confused by the words of the middle-aged man before him.


    "What I''m trying to say is fairly simple, Leonhart. A leading figure will lead regardless if his subordinates are pieces of trashes or fine gold. That is a good leader. Regardless if they were bastards, you were the strongest and mostpetent."


    "This means that you are their leading figure."


    "And the fact that you didn''t lead them in the mostpetent way means that you are a disappointment one, Leonhart." Abraham exined in the most calm yet mocking way possible.


    Leonhart was in silence as though trying to understand Abraham''s words. But after some time, the red-haired Inquisitor began chuckling as if he had heard a good joke from the fleet admiral.


    "Hahahaha, you''re quite good. I wouldn''t have seen through your act if not for the fact that I saw my trashyrades lying dead on the ground." The chuckle of Leonhart echoed throughout the grassyndscape.


    Abraham wryly smiled since he had thought that he could keep up the farce as long as possible. After all, the red-haired Inquisitor seemed to love yapping with him. So, why not entertain the guy? Sadly, it didn''tst long. Though, what was done had already been done.


    His stalling was enough.


    "It looks like I couldn''t keep distracting you long enough. How unfortunate. I would like to hear more about your yapping." Abraham smirked and took out his revolver, immediately pointing it at the Inquisitor.


    Without hesitation or dy, Abraham pulled the trigger and began firing an entire magazine at Leonhart. However, thetter had already casted his defensive spells, making the former''s attack ineffective.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    "*Sigh...* I should have the R&D Department make me a better gun." Abraham gave a sigh in disappointment as his revolver had beenrgely useless during the entire day of fighting against this damn Inquisitors.


    "That''s the fault of relying in tools, Fleet Admiral Abraham. Unlike magicraft, they can fail you." Leonhart remarked while his grimoire flipped through several pages. A cold expression emerged on his face as he casted. "Detection Spell: Eagle''s Eye."


    In an instant, an eagle flew out of his grimoire and circled around the small park. It provided Leonhart an entire coverage of the grassyndscape, giving him insight to everything dwelling on top of it.


    Using simpler terms, he could see everything in the area.


    "Here I thought Magus considered uttering the name of their spells as foolish." Abraham seemed a bit surprised since the Magi were prideful individuals. Being considered as foolish would something they would ultimately avoid.


    "Don''t lump me up with those trashes. Have you ever wondered the primary things needed for magicraft?" Leonhart questioned, but before Abraham could reply, he answered his own question.


    "My master said it needs three." The red-haired Inquisitor pulled up three of his fingers and pointed it at the middle-aged man. Though, Abraham was more interested about the master of the Inquisitor.


    ''Master, huh... It must be the Sovereign he''s under.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself and listened carefully to the following words of the red-haired Inquisitor.


    "The first one is magic!"


    "The second is a spell circle!"


    "And the third is the most important, Imagination!"


    "Humans can imagine, yes. But their imagination are hazy amidst their mind flooding with surging thoughts. So, to concentrate one''s self into creating a solid image. A name must be given to achieve a certain result. That is magicraft."


    "Those foolish bastards who avoid the old-teachings to assume intelligencepared to their peers are the real losers!" Leonhart expressed, making Abraham somewhat rte to him.


    In his former life, he had always wondered why people follow stupid trends Obviously, he understood why. They wanted to be popr to the others and be seen as someone with a name. He also wanted for others to know his name, but he simply couldn''t stomach whatever they were trying to do.


    One could say he was an outcast.


    "I understand that. There are fools who do the most popr things to appear intelligent or better than the others surrounding them. Sticking to what you want to be is better than pretending what others like you to be." Abraham gave his wisdom to the red-haired Inquisitor.


    "I can''t believe that someone actually agrees with my words. Sadly, we are enemies, Fleet Admiral. I have been ordered for you to die, so I must do so." Leonhart felt a strangeraderies since Abraham seemed to have the same feelings as him.


    It was unfortunate that they were in opposing sides.


    "Saddening indeed. But I am not nning to die, Leonhart. Not until your Sovereigns grovel before me." Abraham grinned as these so-called gods of humanity were the reason for its current state. It was always crazy leaders creating crazy people.


    "Oh, it appears you want to die." A nerve emerged on Leonhart''s forehead. It must have hit his heart since his master was included in the Sovereigns, Abraham wanted to take down.


    "As I said before, I don''t want to die yet. I''m nning to have a family with my dragoness." Abraham beamed a smile while Leonhart casted an offensive spell.


    "I guess this is how it ends." The red-haired Inquisitor muttered under his breath and continued. "Fireball!" After uttering such a word, a crimson ball materialized before Leonhart, propelling itself to the fleet admiral.


    Abraham''s heart sank while his spine shivered. Even with his remarkable physique, he would die if he directly face the crimson ball of mes. Not only that, it even seemed morepress than the fireballs thrown by other Inquisitors.


    "Is this the work of his so-called imagination?" He silently mumbled as uttering its name might actually increase its effectiveness. Not only through its efficiency, but also through its attack power.


    "I have to dodge!" Abraham sprinted sideway, causing his ankle to sprain from the instantaneous movement he had done. He fell to the side, rolling on the ground as the fireball exploded on his former position.


    *BOOM!*


    He nced back at the red-haired Inquisitor and maintained his uncaring facade despite his rapidly beating heart. "Were you even trying to kill me?" Such a question was understandable. After all, they were more faster spells than the fireball.


    The Inquisitor''s lightning spell might prove itself enough and he could have been a charred body amongst the evergreen grass.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    After emptying his magazine and reloading his revolver with a new one, Abraham began firing at the red-haired Inquisitor who casted one defensive spell after another. This was why, fighting against an opponent not underestimating you, was troublesome.


    They tend to overestimate you, practically going overboard against you.


    And he was right.


    Out of nowhere, Leonhart disappeared in an instant and materialized beside him. These guys teleport, and them using it was unfair. Such thoughts riddled Abraham''s head. After all, he wouldn''t be able to dodge what ever spell Leonhart nned to conjure.


    "This is the end." Leonhart muttered while conjuring an offensive spell. "Lightning bolt!" Using an instantaneous offensive spell in close range was downright evil. But this wasn''t the end for the fleet admiral.


    Before the lightning bolt could hit Abraham, Leonhart got flung away by an unknown figure. The lightning bolt impacted this figure, bringing about a crackling electricity that exploded into itself.


    *Bang!*


    The white mist brought about by the momentary explosion shrouded the air, but as it faded, what reced it was the appearance of the one and only dragoness of the United Navy.


    She red at the red-haired Inquisitor and spatted out of anger.


    "You f*cker dare to touch him while I''m gone!?"

 Chapter 136: | 136 | Beating of a Lifetime

    "What the-" Leonhart''s gaze sharpened as the arrival of the dragoness was beyond his expectations. They were previously briefed about how the dragoness had gone to the south to take care of some colony. To think she would be back so early.


    "You fucker dare to touch him while I''m gone?" Lace spatted out in anger while ring at the red-haired Inquisitor. Seeing Abraham somewhat injured, she was now out of blood and wanted to make sure that the one who had done such thing would eternally regret it.


    "Dragoness Lace, I didn''t think the southern colony to be so weak. They couldn''t evenst a day against you, how disappointing." Leonhart furrowed his eyebrows and patted out the dust from his ck cloak.


    "Lace, it''s good to see you. I''ll assume you have already taken care of that colony." Abraham smiled in relief but was unexpectedly met with a cold expression. His spine shivered as she got closer to him.


    It was at this moment that he realized her anger also included him in its equation.


    "Abraham..." Lace calmly uttered, though it was riddled with deep anger. "I left you alone for one day and you almost died. What did I say about these idiots trying to do something foolish!?"


    "Eh- Sorry... Lace, I''ll try not to do it again." Abraham wryly smiled since he understood how reckless he was when making the recent decisions of the United Navy. Recklessness and impatience was always the ingredient of death and defeat.


    It should have been a lesson he was aware of.


    "I''m not trying to stop you from doing what you want. I just want you to be careful and think about the implications." Lace sighed and shook her head. "We''ll be talking after this,"


    After uttering such words to Abraham, she turned her attention to where the red-haired Inquisitor was. On his spot, there was nothing. It appears as though he had already escape the grasps of the dragoness. But it wouldn''t be so easy to trick a dragon.


    Lightning crackled beside Lace''s fingers as she sent a pulse onward from her location. It scattered throughout the grassyndscape of the park and when the pulse hit the outskirts. The red-haired Inquisitor was pulled out of his invisibility spell.


    "Pretending to run away while setting up an ambush. Your master must be interesting to teach you such things." Abraham remarked only to receive a re from Lace. He immediately shut his mouth not trying to y with his life.


    "At any rate, your master must be that annoying Sovereign." Lace squinted her eyes and said while creating a ball of golden lightning in her hand. "I''ll be happy to send your ashes to her."


    Without hesitation, she threw the golden lightning to the red-haired Inquisitor who tried to defend himself using a defense spell. But unfortunately for him, Lace''s golden lightning wasn''t to be underestimated.


    It crackled in the air and when it impacted Leonhart. A resounding explosion echoed throughout the park.


    *BOOM!!!*


    Dust shrouded the grassyndscape while Lace continued to observe every nick and cranny of her surroundings. Out of nowhere, Leonhart teleported beside her and threw a lightning bolt spell. However, Lace easily dodged the lightning bolt and threw a knee to the Inquisitor''s stomach.


    *Pang!*


    *ACK!*


    Leonhart cried out in pain while immediately retreating amidst the foggy dust. The instantaneous counter attack of Lace was unexpected. If Leonhart hadn''t covered himself in dozens of defensive spells, he would have died from her knee.


    "You''re too early to fight me in closebat kid." Lace remarked while cracking his knuckles. On the other hand, Abraham observed the fight with intrigued as he wondered how Leonhart would survive the wrath of the dragoness.


    While he could rte to the guy, that doesn''t mean he would help him after the bastard almost killed him. He''ll let Lace handle his fate, which would mean certain death.


    After all, it was rare for Lace to give mercy to those that pissed her off.


    ''I''ll probably be hearing a lot from her after this. Should I try acting meek and be proactive? This might save me from her scolding.'' Abraham had already created a n for his future.


    ''But... Dang, it still hurts.'' He could feel his body aching. The adrenaline was beginning to wear out and pain was getting introduced at full throttle throughout its body. It didn''t feel good, but there was nothing he could do about it.


    *Ding!*


    | Fleet Admiral, because of the unexpected emergence of various dangerous circumstance. The Naval Gacha System will be undergoing an update. |


    Out of nowhere, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind and following it was Systema''s monotone words. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the system update. After all, he didn''t know that it could update itself.


    ''Can I ask what the upgrade will be about?'' Abraham asked his precious partner, wanting to know more about the system update. He didn''t want to be ignorant about what it could be, so he asked as straightforwardly as possible.


    | Update information will be avable after update. |


    Seeing the response of Systema, Abraham sighed in disappointment. It seems that he''ll have to wait before he could learn more about the system update. Nheless, it was good that the system would be updating.


    He was beginning to wonder what it might give him after its update ends.


    Meanwhile, as Leonhartnded on a patch of grass, Lace was already beside him and gave him a side kick. He flew to a nearby tree and broke it through hisnding. Scratches and injuries scattered all over his body as he casted recovery spells to lessened his pain.


    "As expected of the dragoness. I have heard a lot about you from my master. The peak of what was biologically possible. The strongest creature in existence. So this is the difference between our power." Leonhart expressed, not out of fear, but out of admiration.


    Lace had many titles, but there was one thing that everyone was assured of. It was the fact that she was a dragon. This was a title that couldn''t be erased, and whates with it were everything corrted with dragons.


    Its scales could make the finest equipment ever forged. Its heart could bring immortality. Its blood could strengthened a person beyond their limits. And many more.


    The reason why Lace was not being hunted was because of her unrivalled strength in the Ferus Sea. Only the Sovereigns could think of defeating her, but they couldn''t even do so because of internal circumstance.


    "I don''t want to hear more about your bullshit!" Lace coldly uttered and punched him on the face before kicking his chin. Leonhart flew back with a bruised face and almost unconscious mind. He was barely making it, and he would probably die.


    *BAM!*


    When Lace noticed the red-haired Inquisitorying on the floor, she was about to throw the final blow by sting his head inside and out. But before she could do so, she felt a hand stop her fist.


    "My, my... Little Lace, how far you have grown." A sultry voice sounded out while Leonhart unconsciously muttered. "M-Master..." It appears that his master had gotten into the stage.


    "Moon Sovereign Kaguya. What the hell are you doing here?" Lace red at the Sovereign, not backing down in her presence.


    Kaguya was a beautifuldy with a face painted by the gods and a body sculpted by the devil. Her beauty could perhaps rival Lace, but in actuality, Abraham prefer the dragoness''s ck tail and dark horns.


    Anyhow, she had a jet-ck hair and chromatic silver eyes. One would think she was blind if not for the fact that she was directly staring at the dragoness.


    "Oh, don''t mind me. This is a mere projection. So, there''s no need to be tense, right?" Kaguya turned her gaze towards the middle-aged man beside her. He was pointing a revolver at the side of her head, ready to pull the trigger.


    "I sadly can''t do that. I need to be with Lace regardless of our circumstance or enemies." Abraham shook his head and kept pointing his revolver towards the Moon Sovereign.


    "I see... Then, there is nothing I can do about that. The reason why I projected myself to yournd is to ask for your favor." Kaguya nodded in understanding and exined her reasoning.


    "What favor?" Lace questioned as trying to fight the Moon Sovereign in the middle of the Port of Dawn would create massive casualties.


    "My favor is fairly simple. I want you to spare my dear disciple. I don''t want him to die out of nowhere, you know? It took quite some time to train him." Kaguya remarked as if treating the red-haired Inquisitor as some much-needed investment.


    "You shouldn''t have gotten him to kill Abraham. Do you think I''ll give mercy to those that try to attack him?" Lace''s golden eyes glowed with domination. She wasn''t willing to let her go without paying the price.


    "I understand you, Lace. I will have him pay the price." Kaguya appeared to be saddened and flicked her fingers. The unconscious red-haired Inquisitor awoken with his injuries immediately healed. He looked around and saw his master beside the dragoness.


    "M-Master, I-" He meekly said as if he was some child that got caught causing trouble.


    "Leonhart, the dragoness wants you to pay. Will you?" Kaguya asked, causing Leonhart to shiver. But it''s not like there was anything he could do about it. He had to pay for his life.


    "Alright, I shall do as what the master wishes." Leonhart took a deep breath and steeled himself. Lace walked towards him and without dy, she crushed his left arm into damnation. Golden lightning crackled between her fingers, making sure it wouldn''t be healed no matter what.


    "Take him back, if I found him near this ind. I''ll kill him regardless of what you say." Lace uttered, causing Kaguya to brightly smile and snap her fingers.


    The Moon Sovereign and her disciple immediately disappeared from the evergreenndscape, leaving behind silence in its wake. The ones left behind were the fleet admiral and his dragoness.


    "Now, how about we start talking, Abraham?" Lace smirked while Abraham felt that he would hear a lot from her.

 Chapter 137: | 137 | Recovery

    In the Port of Dawn was the general hospital located near the branch office building. Surrounding its every nook and cranny were soldiers of the United Army. Several Abrams had their turrets pointed onward while Apaches circled throughout the blue skies.


    The general hospital was defended to the bone by the United Army personnel of the United Navy. After all, inside the building was none other than the fleet admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.


    "Even with your recovery, look at what your recklessness did to your body." Sitting beside Abraham''sfy and luxurious bed in a private room of the hospital, Lace calmly sliced a crimson apple into pieces with a sharp knife.


    "I''m sorry for worrying you, Lace." Abraham wryly smiled whileying on his bed, it seems that jumping of a high floor didn''t only give him some broken bones. A few of his organs became internally injured, requiring treatment.


    "Now that I know more about your injuries. I''m starting to regret letting that bastard go." Lace furrowed her eyebrows as she was beginning to wish having had killed the annoying one who almost killed her Abraham.


    "You know you can''t do that, Lace. Especially with the Moon Sovereign beside him. It would be too troublesome if that Sovereign starts personally going after us." He exined, to which Lace couldn''t argue against.


    She would be able to handle the Moon Sovereign, but there was the United Navy behind her. If the b*tch starts targeting the United Navy, or worse, her Abraham. Well, things would be immediately ugly.


    "I know, I know. I can''t simply do what I want unlike beforehand. But its hard to see you like this, you know?" Lace sighed and ced her fingers on Abraham''s cheek. She had never felt so helpless.


    "Apologies for being useless," Abraham also sighed since he realized had been to reliant with Lace, and perhaps pressuring her. He didn''t want her to feel the weight of the United Navy. After all, it was his job to carry such weight.


    Lace nced at Abraham''s eyes, her golden irises gently glowing. She caressed his lips and face before uttering. "You''ll never be useless to me, no matter what happens. Use me as you wish, Abraham. I''ll be with you until the very end."


    Her face got closer to Abraham''s and blood began to drip from her lips. With only an inch away from him, she muttered. "Have you heard legends about dragons, Abraham? How their scales could forge the greatest weapons and armors. Or their hearts to give immortality to those that eat the. And how their blood can make someone stronger."


    Hearing the words of Lace, Abraham raised his eyebrows and soon realized what she was trying to say. He furrowed his eyes as he couldn''t believe it. Besides, his morals wouldn''t allow him to do so.


    "I can''t just do such thing to you, Lace. You''re not amodity, and shall not consider yourself as such." He stood his ground and didn''t n on budging no matter what the dragoness says.


    "Heh, I knew you''ll say that." Lace grinned while Abraham became even more confused.


    "Wha-" He couldn''t continue speaking as her supple lips met with his. He could taste her unnatural sweetness and felt warmth gathering in his heart. It was tantalizing as it seemed to have an inherent desire of making him an addict.


    Lace''s ravaged his mouth as though trying to make sure he had drunk the dragon blood dripping from her bitten lips. It only took a few moments for Abraham to regain himself and separate his lips from hers.


    The dragoness merely wiped her crimson blood away and smirked. "You taste as sweet as the time I took your first kiss and you took mine."


    On the other hand, Abraham felt a bit disoriented as the dragon blood he had taken from her bitten lips scattered throughout his body in an instant.


    "This is the first time I have given my blood to anyone else. But I heard that it has a strengthening ability that could advance one''s potential. After all, dragons are the highest beings created by nature." Lace coolly exined.


    "I dislike being forced to drink your blood. But I guess it''s my fault for being to weak. I promise I won''t ever drink your blood and endanger your body." Abraham expressed with ming determination.


    The growth of the United Navy wasn''t his only focus anymore. It was time to turn his attention to his strength and make it greater. With the Naval Gacha System, he might be able to do so.


    "But I don''t really mind you drinking my blood you know? Besides, it feels a bit sensual and exciting." Lace slightly blushed while imagining Abraham ravishing her body and enjoying it for himself.


    "Why do I feel like your thinking indecent thoughts, Lace?" Abraham questioned, making Lace immediately shake her head. "No, no... My mind is as pure as my heart."


    "Your heart is pure?" He asked as though doubting the truth of such a statement. Lace felt a nerve popped into her forehead as she grimly smiled towards the middle-aged man.


    *Pam!*


    *Ack!*


    "Okay, okay, I won''t tease you anymore."Abraham rubbed his head since the dragoness didn''t give him any mercy. Her smack wasn''t to be underestimated. It felt more painful than what he had gone through during the entire assassination.


    "Don''t tease a young girl''s heart, Abraham." Lace pouted while Abraham scratched his chin wondering the truth regarding her statement about being a young girl. Though, he knew more than to directly question her.


    After all, he didn''t want to die yet.


    "Let me repay youter, I''ll do anything you ask." Abraham uttered and felt that he had signed a dangerous deal. "Anything I ask? Interesting, do you know where your heading, Abraham?" She smirked while ying with his lips.


    "I know my destination, and I don''t n on changing it." He said with unrivalled confidence.


    "Alright, I''ll ask when you''re ready to leave the hospital." Lace smiled in satisfaction as though her day had been worth it. Seeing her satisfied smile, Abraham wanted it to be forever nted on her face.


    However, before he could continue enjoying her smile, someone began knocking on his door. This brought aplete stop of their conversation as they tidied themselves up. After all, their rtionship hadn''t be official yet.


    "Get inside." Abraham said and the door gently opened. What emerged was the lieutenant colonel of the United Navy who saluted to the fleet admiral and immediately bowed afterward.


    "The United Army is at fault for the fleet admiral''s current state. We take full responsibility of the assassination and our failure to protect you." The lieutenant colonel was ready for whatever punishment given to him.


    Looking at the lieutenant colonel who seemed guilty from what had happened, Abraham wave his hand and remarked. "You shouldn''t apologize for what had happened. There was nothing you could do about it."


    "Regardless of our uselessness, we should have been able to assist you. The fact that we couldn''t wasplete our fault." The lieutenant colonel wasn''t the type to shy away from responsibility. He had to receive some punishment, otherwise it would be hard for him to sleepfortably.


    "Give him a punishment, Abraham. They were the ones left in the Port of Dawn and the responsibility of protecting you fell onto them when most of the United Navy left toplete their respective operations."


    "This is something they greatly understand, so not giving them punishment wouldn''t do them good. After all, they are all good men and wouldn''t be afraid of what should be done." Lace wasn''t against the lieutenant colony getting punished.


    It was something needed to be done for the sake of discipline and order of the military organization.


    Meeting with Lace''s advice, Abraham looked at the punishment in a whole view and understood what she was meaning to say. He closed his eyelids and thought of a punishment. What emerged in his mind was somewhat interesting.


    "Sending you to military court would be boring, so I''ll give you your punishment myself." Abraham uttered and Lace merely smiled from his words. The lieutenant colonel of the United Army rapidly nodded his head, wanting to hear his punishment.


    "You''ll have to domunity service for an entire month spanning a period of 120 hours. Your efforts will be dutifully recorded, so I''ll hear from you a monthter." Abraham ordered while the lieutenant colonel happily epted his punishment.


    At the very least, he wouldn''t be executed for failing the fleet admiral and almost getting him killed.


    "I shall do as youmand, Fleet Admiral. I will take a leave from my position and start mymunity service." The lieutenant colonel saluted and hastily left the private room of the fleet admiral.


    Though, the moment he left, Lace found herself chuckling.


    "I didn''t think you''d have him sweep in the rain, Abraham. How ridiculous." Lace was aware of the iing weather and knew that a storm would be heading in their direction soon.


    "I couldn''t make it too easy, Lace. If I had to give a punishment, I''ll make it as tiresome and annoying as it gets." Abraham responded causing the dragoness to chuckle even more.


    Afterward, none of the two uttered a single word. The much-needed silence was calming for the two of them. It brought them the tranquility after a busy and troublesome day.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the northern seas, Charlotte stood in the bridge of UNS Trinity of Sce. Before her were dozens of sunken battleships of the so-called defensive fleet of Terra''s Gate. She gazed upon the devastation and clicked her tongue.


    "How unsatisfying..."

 Chapter 138: | 138 | Norths End

    In the cold waters of the northern sea, Charlotte stood amidst the metallic confines of the bridge of UNS Trinity of Sce, quietly observing the devastation the northern naval battle had gone through. Dozens of battleships were lost. Fortunately, all of such loses came from their adversaries.


    "Here I thought with the assistance of the Inquisitors, they would give me a good fight. Quite disappointing that the Inquisitors ran away when things didn''t seem good for their fleet." Vice Admiral Charlotte remarked, her disappointment unhidden


    The northern defensive fleet of the Colonial Dominion, the guards of the so-called Gate, weren''t able to defeat the northern fleet of the United Navy, Libertas. But it was an expected oue.


    After all, regardless of the magic they utilized. The strategies employed by modern warships and their deeper understanding of warfare provided a gap that wasn''t exploitable by the magic of their enemies.


    However, naturally, their victory wasn''t without a price. One of the frigates was directly hit by an Inquisitor''s offensive spell and became critically damaged. Ten sailors died from that attack and the warship was undergoing temporary repairs.


    Some of the remaining frigates were also damaged, but were still operable for further operations.


    At the moment, Charlotte was faced with a question whether she should continue Operation Septentrionalist Libertas and attack the northern colony.


    ''While we have gottenplete victory over the naval battle. The fleet is exhausted and continuing onward would prove detrimental. The northern colony might also have its remaining fleet on standby in the shores.''


    ''Although we would be able to handle it, the casualties might grow farther than expected. A warship or two might actually be sunk by them.'' Charlotte carefully thought and realized the implications of foolishly charging in.


    "Give me a detailed report about our current status." She turned her gaze towards the intelligence officer behind her, who immediately followed her orders and gave a response. "Current status has been analyzed, Vice Admiral."


    "Three of our frigates have been met with minor damages during the naval battle. No casualties stood within these warships, but theirbat capabilities have been significantly lessened. Ammunitions have also been significantly drained."


    "On the other hand, one of our frigate have been extremely damaged from the bout. Ten casualties were recorded and theirbat capabilities are reaching zero. At the moment, most of the sailors are repairing the warship, making sure that it won''t sink into the depths of the northern abyss."


    "Our fleet is more or less okay, but obviously. We aren''t in our utmost state. Extending our operation naval time would be problematic." The intelligence officer concluded his report, and it didn''t sound good for the northern fleet, Libertas.


    "That doesn''t sound good. It looks like their sacrifices weren''t in vain." Charlotte turned her gaze towards the sunken debris of the battleships that dared to face her. Hundreds of enemy sailors now find themselves floating in the ocean as a corpse.


    But what they had done wasn''t in useless at all. They have given time to their northern colony since the northern fleet, Libertas, wasn''t in its top standards to fight even more into the northern waters.


    "As disappointing as it may, Vice Admiral, it is the best option for our fleet." The intelligence officer wasn''t against the uing decision of the Vice Admiral. Although it was unfortunate that they couldn''t take down the northern colony.


    Bidding their time was better than impatiently charging into enemy territory. The best option for them was to repair their warships and stock up for supplies.


    "You''re right... It is the best option. If one warship had sunk, the Fleet Admiral would have been bothering me day and night about how it could have happen under mymand." Vice Admiral Charlotte sighed as she thought about the attitude of her fleet admiral.


    He was the best person she had ever met. A man worthy of her admiration, respect, and love. The fleet admiral cared for his subordinates, and didn''t think of wasting their lives for victories. It was a trait she appreciated from the fleet admiral.


    It was saddening that he already had the dragoness on his side. Otherwise, Charlotte would have tried chasing after him. After all, who wouldn''t try taking a golden goose for themselves?


    ''Sadly, the golden goose has a dragon guarding it.'' Charlotte lightly chuckled and decided to rid her mind of such thoughts. After all, it would be problematic if it grew and became troublesome in the United Navy.


    At any rate, it was time to turn her attention to their current circumstance. This wasn''t the time to hesitate. It was finally time to make a move.


    "Connect to the data link. Order the retreat of the northern fleet. Be sure to assist the critically-damaged frigate along the way. I don''t want it to sink out of nowhere." Vice Admiral Charlotte issued a couple of orders to her naval personnel.


    The intelligence officers inside the bridge saluted after receiving her orders and immediately began following it. The calm bridge became hectic as everyone was trying their hardest to prepare for the retreat.


    Charlotte maintained her gaze to the northern seas shrouded in cold and rough waters. The debris of their enemies were nowhere to be found, consumed by the wretched waves of the north. She wondered if she should have kept some trophy, but quickly decided against it.


    There was no need for her to keep trophies, a raise was enough.


    "Also, contact themand center about our retreat. Give them details about our current status." She gave a follow-up order, which was instantly epted by a nearby intelligence officer. It was good to have many intelligence officers rying her orders.


    ''It would have been better if I don''t have to tell the orders and simply let them do the work.'' Charlotte quietly thought and realized that her subordinates were human, not robots of some sort. But perhaps, there would be a time where this ship could have that extreme efficiency.


    "Anyhow, for now, let''s go back."


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the northern colony was the colonial lord who was frozen in shock. Reports of the fleet they had sent to intercept the enemy fleet flooded his office. And the results were shocking for the old man.


    The entirety of the fleet he had sent was destroyed. Almost no one from that fleet was left alive, and now dwelled in the abyss of the northern waters. It was a horrifying fate, but an expected one for sailor.


    Nevertheless, the destruction of over a dozen battleships and hundreds of sailors wasn''t to scoff at. The defensive capabilities of the northern colony had been affected by the lost, and their uing adversaries might give them a lot of trouble.


    ''I didn''t think they would fall so easily and fast against the metallic fleet of the United Navy. I thought with the assistance of the Inquisitors, they would be able to defeat them. It appears that the Inquisitors didn''t do good.''


    The northern colonial lord gritted his teeth in annoyance. He had heard about the fall of the southern colony and the sieged of the archipgo colony. Of all the major colonies in the sea region of Terra, only the north stands against the onught of the United Navy.


    And sooner orter, it might fall.


    He was sure of it. After all, the northern colony was the gate of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. One can''t take over a territory without breaking through the gate. In simpler terms, the fall and copse of the northern colony was paramount.


    "The United Navy are too strong. With their advance technology and strange tactics, along with the power of the dragoness. Conquering the entirety of the Colonial Dominion seemed to be not-so farfetched for the heretical organization."


    "However, I am the colonial lord of the northern colony, akin to the gatekeeper of the Colonial Dominion. Even if defeat seems inevitable, I must fight even if it results to my death." The colonial lord became determined, not wanting to be a coward in the face of history.


    Fortunately for him, his colonialmander hadn''t merely stood in front of him to give bad news. There was also some good news from the devastating naval battle.


    "My Lord, their sacrifice weren''t in vain. The metallic fleet of the United Navy had begun retreating from the northern waters, returning to where it came from." Hearing the words of his colonialmander, the colonial lord felt as though hope had dawn upon him.


    "I see... It appears that they have fought with bravery and didn''t give up until the very end. Because of them, the northern colony gets to live in peace for another day. Though, perhaps it wouldn''tst long forever." The colonial lord sighed and felt saddened by the recent events.


    "I hope the Sovereigns will make their move and stomp out the heretics before they could grow even further." He knew that such hopes were useless as the Sovereigns never considered the Colonial Dominions of the Ferus Sea as of much importance.


    To them, it was merely an extra resource for them to be even more stronger. After all, humanity had to contend against other great races with their own respective god-like beings akin to the Sovereigns.


    Before the colonial lord could put much thought to the problem, another report came into his office. Its origin was none other than the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    "M-My Lord... The Viceroy of Terra has called upon you. He orders for the entire northern forces to be relocated to the Colonial Dominion of Terra."

 Chapter 139: | 139 | Getting out of the Hospital

    Through the perk of recovery given by the system and the dragon''s blood of Lace, Abraham''s recuperation in the private room of the Port of Dawn''s general hospital was swift. A couple hours after he was sent inside, he already could leave as he was almost recovered from the assassination.


    "As expected of Abraham, there was a good reason why you couldst an entire morning with me." Lace walked beside the fleet admiral with a grin stered on her beautiful face. The moment he got out of the general hospital, she began teasing him without end.


    "I would have been there for a day if not for your blood, Lace." Abraham didn''t mind the teasing of the dragoness as he was already used to it. Though, she seems to be interested in pushing his patience.


    "Oh, are you interested for more? You can ask, Abraham. And I won''t think of refusing you. What do you think?" She softly whispered to his ear, causing his body to shiver. It looks like this is the price for pissing her off.


    Nheless, Abraham was barely keeping it in. It has been a while since they had done it together so his libido was high at the moment. But with the ongoing operation in the background, it was clear that this wasn''t the time for them to do so.


    However, to think she would be swaying it in front of him. From the looks of it, she already knew that he didn''t have the time to act on his desires. So she might be having fun in making him impatient through some sexual baiting.


    "I might be a proper man who knows his responsibilities, Lace. But there are times when I break my own rules." Abraham held Lace''s chin and gazed at her golden irises. They were beautiful, especially when they look at him with incredible lus- No.


    ''Calm yourself, Abraham. I must not disappoint my subordinates.'' Abraham thought to himself and calmed down his intense libido. The operations hadn''t ended yet. He wouldn''t want to be a fleet admiral who was busy fighting the dragoness while his men fought against enemy forces.


    "Oh, interesting..." Lace''s face became closer to his while her red supple lips smirked. Abraham immediately turned his head away and took a deep breath before remarking. "At any rate, the operations should be ending. I can''t wait to hear the news."


    "Well, I did hear them working hard. Especially that stone-faced girl. Her northern fleet was assaulted by over a dozen of battleships in the northern sea. Her operation has the highest rate of failure." Lace''s teasing expression faded as she became serious.


    "The northern operation will fail. It was already within my expectations the moment I heard about the Inquisitors intruding the northern sea. The question should be how the operation fails." Abraham squinted his eyes and continued.


    "I hope that the casualties wouldn''t be to high. Our war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra has been affecting us greatly than anticipated." His face became cold as if he had thought of something unsightly.


    "The State of Minos, huh? I heard about the high casualty from the Inquisitors'' ambush. Unfortunate, but it makes us realize that while we know a lot about our adversaries. They might know more about us too."


    "After all, who knows what magicraft could do. They might be observing us at the moment or using some strange spell to find information through future-sight." Lace remarked as the mystical element of magicraft meant that the variables they were facing could be anything.


    "Now that I thought about it. I nned on visiting the Research & Development Department. I need to know how much they have advanced in their study of magicraft and whether or not they have thought of any counters against this part of nature." Abraham muttered to himself.


    "That department who collected all the magic artifacts tributed by the Colonial Dominion and are now destroying them one by one?" Lacemented while Abraham wryly smiled. "They were dismantling it to learn more about how it works in the inside it."


    "Dismantles implies they know how to return it to its former state. Otherwise, they are merely destroying it." She smiled at the fleet admiral who couldn''t utter a counter against her words. But it''s not like there was anything they could do about it.


    They were too ignorant with magic.


    "Yeah, yeah, Dragon of the United Navy. Your wisdom is paramount and unending." Abraham sarcastically remarked, making the dragoness pinch his cheeks in annoyance. "I''m merely stating the truth, Abraham."


    "Destroying those magical artifacts doesn''t do any of you good. It brings you questions than answers. And you already have a lot of questions, so having more would be impeding your abilities to find an answer." Lace unironically stated with unrivalled wisdom.


    "I know, Lace. But our time is running out and the big shots of magicraft will being after us sooner orter. I don''t want them teleporting inside my office." Abraham sighed as the thought of a Sovereign teleporting inside his office brought chills to his spine.


    As brave as he was, he didn''t want to die without a chance to fight back.


    Noticing the expression of her lover, Lace hugged him tightly and muttered to his ears. "I''ll always be with you, Abraham. There''s no need for you to worry. I''m here, now."


    Hearing her, Abraham lightly chuckled and remarked. "What are you, my mother?" Lace raised an eyebrow, but the edges of her lips soon rose as she responded. "Perhaps, I am. How about you call me Mommy,"


    *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*


    While Lace teased the embarrassed fleet admiral, several coughs resounded and the two pointed their gaze forward. Before them was the Special Response Unit that recently got back. They were led by none other than first lieutenant Mercedes.


    Lace''s golden irises immediately glowed with authority as she furrowed her eyebrows. Everyone in the team felt chills in their spine and swiftly saluted to their lieutenant colonel. After all, none of them wanted to feel the wrath of the dragon.


    "Lieutenant Colonel Lace, SRU 01 have returned!" Mercedes stepped forward and reported with a salute.


    Lace merely squinted her eyes while staring at the silver wolf beastfolk. Afterward, she turned her eyes towards the giant Minokin, Espada. Silence permeated until Abraham broke it with his calm words.


    "Mercedes, congrattions forpleting your mission." He said to the beastfolk, who lightly bowed towards him and replied. "Apologies for beingte, Fleet Admiral. We werepletely useless when someone tried to assassinate you."


    "There''s no need to apologize. It wasn''t your job to protect me, especially when your team is going through a mission of your own. Besides, I got her with me." Abraham pointed at the cold dragoness beside him.


    The teasing Lace had disappeared, which was a vast discrepancy whenpared to her cold side. It was understandable as that side was only something she revealed to those close to her. To her subordinates, she was an efficient and calm superior.


    The de of the Fleet Admiral.


    "We returned as fast as possible after hearing the news. But the mission is more or lessplete. The rebels of the archipgo colony are growing and they should be marching to the main ind for liberation." Mercedes coolly reported.


    "Good work," Abraham patted her head and continued. "So, was the human girl interesting?" He questioned, wanting to know more about the one that called upon his assistance.


    "Intriguing, to say the least. She has the properties of a leader and seems to be determined with her ideology as well. It was easy for beastfolks to be inspired by her, despite being doubtful at first." Mercedes was honest regarding what she thought of Hermona.


    "It seems that we have made a good ally. I''d like to meet her personally myself." Abraham smiled since the operation hadn''t only brought unfortunate casualties to the United Navy. It gave many more than tragedies.


    "I believe she wishes to meet the famous and legendary fleet admiral of the United Navy. Though, have you really met with a Sovereign?" Mercedes asked, curious about the spreading rumors.


    He wryly smiled after hearing her question and Lace was about to step forward. But Abraham stopped the dragoness on her tracks with his arm and smiled at her. He nodded at the gorgeousdy and responded to the curious wolf''s question.


    "That''s right, we met with the Moon Sovereign, Kaguya." Hearing his answer, most of the beastfolks in the SRU 01 were shocked. They never thought their fleet admiral would stand before a Sovereign and stay alive afterward.


    This deepened their admiration towards him.


    "I see... As expected of the legendary fleet admiral." Mercedes beamed a smile, which was a rare one. After all, her personality was akin to Charlotte. They were always calm and cool regardless of the situation.


    It was rare to see any other expressions on their faces other than a nk one.


    "We''ll be going to write a report about our mission, Fleet Admiral. I hope you make aplete recovery." Mercedes bowed once again to Abraham and saluted before walking away. Her team did the same and followed her from behind.


    Abraham and Lace gazed at the team with the middle-aged man almost shedding a tear. It was as if he had seen his daughter grow to be a strong woman. It was a strange feeling.


    "They grow very fast, don''t they?" Lace uttered, making Abraham nod in agreement. "I agree- Wait, what?" He looked at the dragoness wondering if she was reading his mind.

 Chapter 140: | 140 | R&D Department

    Below themand center inside the defense center of the Port of Dawn was a not-so-secretive department. They were the part of the United Navy that dealt with research, technology, and counter-development.


    The R&D Department.


    Of the many departments scattered throughout the United Navy, acting as its pirs, the R&D Department was amongst the most expensive ones. The cost of researching new technology and discovering weaknesses to the enemy''s technology was a difficult endeavor to maintained.


    Even for the naval organization such as the United Navy.


    Riding inside the elevator was the fleet admiral and his sword, the dragoness. For the first time, they were nning to meet with the ones guiding and advancing the research, development sector of the United Navy. One would wonder who these figures were.


    "As expected of the R&D Department, their entrance looks intriguing." Abraham muttered to himself, gazing at the metallic elevator covered with futuristic neon lights. It sang a mechanical hum that felt as though he was inside a sci-fi movie.


    "They haven''t wasted the budget I have given them." He lightly chuckled while Lace maintained her silence and stood beside him. It didn''t take long before they reached deepest underground sector of the United Navy, and the metallic doors of the elevator slid opened.


    Abraham and Lace stepped out of the elevator, which immediately closed. They were met with a long, futuristic hallway, swiftly capturing the interest of the fleet admiral. He observed with calm amazement as this was the first he had ever seen such a scene personally.


    ''But it makes me wonder how far are they in their development. After all, I need results.'' He thought to himself as what he would see beyond this hallway would decide the fate of the R&D Department. After all, departments that gave little to no results wouldn''t deserve the high budget they have.


    There was nothing free in this world. Resources take time to acquire, more time to manufacture. If results weren''t being given in time, the resource-hungry departments would merely strained the United Navy.


    This was a concept that Lace understood. It was the reason why she was silent the whole time despite Abraham''s clear amazement. After all, in his hands was the scythe of death that would decide the fate of the R&D Department.


    The two walked through the futuristic hallway and were met with a monotone voice introducing itself to the two of them. *The R&D Department is honored to be in the presence of the fleet admiral and the dragoness. I am EVA, an artificial assistant of the department.*


    *How may I assist the two of you?*


    Lace lowered her head while the edges of Abraham''s lips rose. He nced at the CCTV strapped carefully in the hallway and responded. "I''m here to see the results of this department personally. I''d like to know how far you''ve gone into the task I have given all of you."


    His calm words resounded throughout the hallway, but they carried his authority as the fleet admiral. Silence followed after his response, though it didn''t take long before EVA spoke.


    *Understood, sending all data to the fleet admiral...*


    *Opening security procedures, wee Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.*


    Along with EVA''s monotone words was the hallway breaking open, revealing the entire R&D Department sector to the fleet admiral and the dragoness. It was a vast floor filled with all kinds of technologies, tested and untested.


    With them were researchers, scientists, and inventors who lined up together to meet with the highest authority of the United Navy, the fleet admiral.


    Upon meeting Abraham, they immediately bowed at the same time and uttered.


    *IT IS AN HONOR, FLEET ADMIRAL!*


    Their words echoed throughout the department sector, but Abraham maintained his calm and observed each and every single one of them with a scrutinizing gaze. Lace did the same as her golden eyes brought about pressure to the people surrounding them.


    After a short while of staring contest, Abraham smiled at the group of people and remarked. "It has been a while, months have passed since the creation of this department. So, I''d like to hear about your progress."


    He was straight at the point as he didn''t see any reason to beat around the bush. Technology was of importance to the United Navy. But it had its limits, and they must invent new technologies against their foreign enemies capable of using magicraft.


    The director of the R&D Department stepped forward. He was a skinny old man wearing ab coat and a silver-trimmed eye sses. A serious expression was stered on his face as he uttered. "I am here to report, Fleet Admiral."


    "Good, let me hear everything." Abraham nced at the old man, wanting to hear their progress from his mouth. He wondered how far they have gone in their research. He hoped that it would at the very least be useful in their present circumstance.


    "Affirmative," The director nodded and began his report.


    His first words were about the discovery of a new element they called Adamantium. It was an excellent element capable of legendary effects, and most of all, they had a lot of supply from the northern quarry.


    They have understood how to utilize this element and manufacture it with metal. The effects would be the metal being 5x stronger, 3x harder, 4x lighter, and 7x more durable. It was practically an all-round upgrade.


    The problem however, was that the manufacturing process of the metal being expensive. They were finding ways to simplify the process and make it cheaper for mass production.


    However, they have also manufactured weapons based on Adamantium. One was a Magus Gun with its barrel and ammunition blended with the new element, while the other was a revolver entirely made of Adamantium.


    Naturally, these two weapons where what Abraham was interested the most. Especially, the Adamantium revolver. He was recently looking for a new revolver that could be affective against the Magus, he didn''t think there would be actually one already manufactured in the R&D Department.


    "So, tell me about the difference between the new revolver and the general one?" Abraham inquired the director, who coolly answered his question.


    "Well, because of the lightweight nature of the revolver. We were able to incorporate design changes that would have proven inefficient because of the extra weight. Its size have be significantlyrger and longer while its magazines have increased to ten bullets."


    "On the other hand, its ammunition has leaped high in terms of capabilities. The pration has increased for about 5x, giving the revolver the power of a Magus Gun. However, because of our limited understand with Adamantium, its armaments cannot exceed 100 rounds per minute."


    The director was honest and told Abraham about the current limits of the Adamantium Revolver. Although, it was unfortunate that the Adamantium couldn''t be incorporated to guns with high firing rate. The advance rate of the new element was enough for him.


    But it appears that the exnation of the director was far from reaching its end.


    "We also discovered a special property in regards to Adamantium, Fleet Admiral. It was something we idently discovered it during our testing. It is the fact that Adamantium is highly aggressive against magic."


    "It seems to return mana into its natural state, making magic weak against it. After all, magic is a refined-mana processed into a spell." The director calmly exined.


    The special property surprised Abraham. It was something he didn''t expect, but it was a wee surprise. He turned his gaze towards Lace, who already nodded and said. "You want me to check, right? I heard about a useless metal that couldn''t be forged through the usual ways."


    "This might be the so-called new element you have found." Lace walked towards where the Adamantium Guns were presented and observed them with scrutiny.


    "They are hard to process into viable weapons through forge works. This means that one would need magic. But since the metal turns magic into its most natural state. Spells are useless against it." The dragoness closed her eyelids, but soon opened it and turned her golden irises to Abraham.


    "However, my scales are harder and stronger than this metal. It is also efficient with magic. Quite the total opposite of this new element. Though, it will be useful to the United Navy." Lace smirked as she could already imagine the kinds of weapons Abraham would build with it.


    "I don''t think anything is stronger than your scale, Lace." Abraham remarked while shaking his head. But since she had concluded that it would be useful. It might as well be.


    "Director, your department is excellent for discovering and researching ways to properly and efficiently utilize Adamantium. I''ll apud you for sess. But I want to go to the main topic, what have you learned about magic?" He asked the question that brought him to the department.


    Lace merely squinted her eyes from the question, also wanting to know about what they had learned.


    "Do not worry, Fleet Admiral." The director straightened his back and raised his eye sses with confidence. "We have learned a lot from the magical artifacts you have given to our department. None of them were wasted."


    With the confident tone of the director, Abraham felt somewhat excited. It seems that the people of the R&D Department weren''t to be underestimated. It was time to see whether or not the budget that could feed the fleet of the United Navy for a month wasn''t wasted.


    "You sound confident, director. I''m sure you have discovered something worthwhile about magic." Abraham remarked and leaned on the metallic wall behind him. "Tell me everything you know about it. I don''t care if it takes hours for you to do so."

 Chapter 141: | 141 | Discoveries about Magicraft

    "I shall start with how we made our discoveries." The director of the R&D Department affirmed, while Abraham and Lace merely nodded at him. He took a deep breath and began another long exnation about how they managed to gather knowledge about magic.


    "All of it began with the magical artifacts sent here by the fleet admiral. They were strange things with mystical properties embedded to them. In my eyes, they can be considered as scientific marvels that could propel technologies centuries ahead of time."


    "There was a torch that could perpetually light itself on fire with mana. Another was a pen that never loses its ink. Each of them defied what was scientifically possible. Most of all, one doesn''t need magic to use magical artifacts. It isn''t a requirement, which was surprising for us."


    The director remembered the feeling of excitement he had felt when they activated such magical artifacts. It was as though they had discovered another line of science. Though, obviously, it was already an established one, called magicraft.


    "But before we dared to tinker with the magical artifacts and perhaps disassemble it to understand its internal workings, we tranted the books about magic sent to our department. The basic trantion took an entire month, and it was a lot of hard work."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow and remarked. "Then, thenguage of magicraft must have been a hard one to tackle. After all, taking a month to trante it despite dozens of references being studied through magical books is impressive in itself."


    The director nodded, but also shook his head afterward. "That was what we thought when we concluded the basic trantion. But it seemed that we were wrong at the time. We tackled the runguage of magicraft with the same expectations as a usualnguage."


    "However, when we learned of its basic trantion. We finally realized that it really was. Thenguage was nothing more but something akin to a programmingnguage. It was practically an amalgamation of syntaxes andmands through runic runes."


    "Using that same logic, we introduced the magicraftnguage into ourputer and began dismantling the first magical artifact. Inside it was a runic spell circle with the same symbols as the one we have tranted in the book."


    "We let theputer run an analysis with thenguage coded inside of it for trantion, and it didn''t take long for the results toe in. Our theory was correct. Thenguage of magic is nothing more but a programmingnguage that uses mana as theputing power of reality."


    "Throughputer trantion, we realized that they hadmanded the spell circle to consume a certain amount of mana, and send the consumed mana into another spell circle, which would turn it into fire. The inner works of the magic torch was something we fully realized."


    The excitement of the director was enrapturing. But Abraham understood the director''s reasons. After all, he would have felt the same if he figured out vital information about something he waspletely ignorant about.


    "But wouldn''t it be better to have a spell circle that consumes mana and turn it into fire?" Abraham asked since it would be much more efficient than using two spell circles.


    "Hahahaha, that was what we thought. We wondered why it was separated into two spell circles and thought of multiple theories. Maybe the knowledge they had about magic wasn''t as deep as we spected. Or, there were many more things we were ignorant about it."


    "However, the answer is fairly obvious." The director smiled as he though remembering a good joke. Abraham carefully listened and wondered what the answer was.


    "Those bastards sent us their cheapest magical artifacts! The creation of a spell circle with multiple processes would undoubtedly beplicated and require much more runes. Instead, why not have these processes be in their own spell circles and simply connect them with one another."


    "After all, it would be much cheaper than aplicated one.."


    Hearing the answer of the director, Abraham lightly chuckled as he realized that he had been duped. Though, it''s not like he specified them to send their best magical artifacts. Technically, he wasn''t fooled by the people of the Colonial Dominion.


    The fault came from his ignorance.


    "So, those guys gave Abraham a couple of trashes for the lives of their soldiers? I wonder if they thought that it would fool us, or they really thought that their soldiers would be worth a mere simple magical artifacts?" Lace remarked while chuckling on her own.


    Abraham and the director of the R&D Department stopped chuckling after hearing the dragoness''s words. Thetter part seems not imusible. After all, the Colonial Dominion always thought of their people as resources that could be rece.


    Such logic couldn''t be entirely disregarded.


    "Well, you have a point, Lace." Abraham simply nodded at the dragoness, who stopped chuckling and returned to her aloof expression. On the other hand, he returned his attention to the director.


    "At any rate, can you apply your discoveries to actual experiments?" He asked the director. After all, the moment they could utilize magic, everything would revolutionized.


    But it seems that he could only dream. The director shook his head and sadly responded. "No, Fleet Admiral. The creation of a spell circle, in the end, requires a magic-abled individual. Someone that could manipte the energy, Mana."


    "Most of us humans from Earth have no mana inside our bodies. We haven''t evolved to the environment of the foreign world, unlike its local humanity. So, sadly... We wouldn''t be able to make our own magical instruments."


    Of all the discoveries they made, this was the most saddening one for the director. It was as though destiny itself was directly impeding them from moving forward.


    However, there was something he hadn''t thought of.


    "Couldn''t you create a magical instrument that could help you make spell circles? Like a pen for runic formations." Lace calmly suggested, causing the entirety of the R&D Department to freeze. Abraham looked around with confusion, but the director furrowed his eyebrows.


    "We could do that, Lady Lace. That would give us the ability to construct spell circles of our own without the requirement of mana. But the first of such invention will have to be created with someone that has mana." It was a good idea, but the first step was a difficult one to do.


    The director felt his dreams leaping into the abyss. The new path he thought he could take led to a cliff that he couldn''t pass. It was depressing since it was biological factors stopping him from studying more of it.


    Or was it really?


    "What''s that depressing face all about?" Lace raised an eyebrow and waved her hand as electricity crackled around it. "In its essence, what I am doing is magic. I utilize mana to make it do something for me. But unlike humans, I don''t have to learn to be able to do so."


    "Its instinctually engraved to my body."


    "I don''t have the knowledge to create spell circles. But with your guidance, we might be able to create a magical instrument that could construct its own spell circles." Lace smiled at the director, who was rapidly regaining his color.


    He had forgotten that every mystical things in the foreign world could be exin with magic. Lady Lace was a magical creature as her very existence defied the natural expectations of biology.


    With her help, it wouldn''t be imusible to create the instrument that could help them revolutionize the United Navy.


    "Lady Lace, the R&D Department will be very honored to receive your help." The director deeply bowed towards the dragoness. It was clear what he wanted from her. Though, it looked strange for an old bowing to be bowing towards a gorgeousdy.


    It was akin to a scene from a teledrama.


    Abraham shook his head and got rid of his rowdy imagination. He stopped leaning on the metallic wall and stepped forward, ncing at the dragoness. "How about it, Lace. Interested?"


    He couldn''t force her to do what he wanted. That was something he always told himself. After all, she wasn''t merely a normal girl, but a dragon at that. He had to respect her freedom to choose.


    "I do not want to return to this cramp space. Head to Abraham''s office, and call for my name. I''ll arrive." Lace pointed at Abraham, who was somewhat confused. "Hey, why my office? I''d like to keep my peace and silent?"


    "I don''t easily hear anyone who calls for me. But since I consider your office as a special ce, a call for my name inside would attract my attention." Lace have heard her name a thousand times. But the voice of Abraham and the silence of his office held a special ce in her heart.


    If someone calls her name from his office, she could assume that Abraham required for her help. Otherwise, regardless of how much the director calls for her. She wouldn''t appear as she doesn''t care to answer those that call for her.


    "Besides, I''m a very busy woman with responsibilities over hundreds of personnel. I can''t make time since it would take my remaining free time." Lace had alreadyid over her requirements and there was nothing he could do about it.


    "For the sake of understanding magic and utilizing it for our own, I''ll ept these terms. Director, head to my office once you are ready." Abraham turned his gaze towards the director, who swiftly nodded his head.


    "Good, thank you for your hard work. I appreciate the time you spent in understanding the unknowns. I promise it will not go to waste." He said to the surrounding scientists, researchers, and inventors. They felt determination zing in their heart and saluted to the fleet admiral.


    *We will not fail you, Fleet Admiral!*

 Chapter 142: | 142 | Concluding Reports

    After checking the R&D Department, Abraham and Lace went into their separate ways. Despite the dragoness wanting him to take a rest, Abraham felt fine and knew that things hadn''t ended for the United Navy.


    Many of his men and women were fighting for what they believed in throughout the sea region of Terra. And he didn''t want to fail them by recuperating in afy bed while they fight for their lives.


    Besides, his perk of recovery and Lace''s blood turned his body into something extraordinary. His usual regeneration practically got multiplied into ten. This simple fact made him realized how mystical a dragon''s blood. But he also understood its implications.


    Lace''s body was a treasure metaphorically and literally.


    There would be many greedy for it and desire it for themselves. The only thing stopping them was the power of the dragon that would put them six-feet underground if they ever dared to seek their desires.


    The thought of it raised Abraham''s blood pressure and he became determined to protect her no matter what. However, despite his wish to protect her. There was one fact that impeded it.


    He was weak.


    No matter how much he trained, it still wasn''t enough. His enemies could bend reality to their will and conjure spells through magic. Fighting against the ordinary of these Magi would be possible. But against the elite and the strongest? There was nothing he could do against them.


    "I''m still reliant with Lace. I can''t even protect her from a Sovereign even if I wanted to. I''m too pathetically weak to do so." He muttered to himself and opened the door to his office.


    As the luxurious wooden door creaked, his office emerged before his eyes. It was the same as before despite the recent assassination that broke inside of it. A lot of the furniture got reced, and it seems that weapon''s stashes were scattered everywhere.


    It seems that they had the idea of giving him weapon regardless of where he was in the office, which was a good idea, if these weapons were effective against the Magus. Unfortunately, they were far from effective.


    Breaking through a Magus''s barrier was akin to prating a heavily armored vehicle. Only artillery and high-prating guns would be able to deal damage to it. The remaining armaments could only serve as a distraction.


    "I hope that the R&D Department would deliver me my weapon. At the very least, I can gain the ability to deal injuries to those annoying bastards." He mumbled while stretching his limbs upward. He yawned andfortably sat on his chair.


    "I want to sleep." Abraham murmured but shook his head and regained his determination. "I still have a job to do. I can''t bezy when I''m not the one picking the gun and shooting it."


    With this in mind, Abraham opened up his drawers and saw the recently-sent reports from the intelligence officers. He ced them on top of his table and began reading them one by one. The edges of his lips rose as the situation outside had be better.


    "Rebels are entering the ind of Eisenberg and are causing chaos inside of it. Only a few runic shields remained, and most of them are scattered in the colony''s capitol. The moment these runic shields copse, it will be our victory."


    "Though... It seems that the human girl has been working hard for the rebellion she has created." He grinned and tried to remember her name only to find it somewhat difficult. "Her name, Mona, Hermone? Wait, wrong. What was her name again?"


    He wondered if the assassination had brought him dementia. Fortunately, it was merely a temporary set-back.


    "Ah, right... Hermona. ording to her file, she''s part of the wyvern squadron we shot down at first. Interesting, I didn''t think we would be allies with a survivor." Abraham raised his eyebrows, but smiled afterward. "Well, fate works in stranger ways than imagined."


    Silence followed and Abraham''s smile faded from his face. He turned his head upward and gazed at the empty ceiling. "How long do I have to continue talking to myself? Isn''t the update already done, Systema?"


    It was hard to talk for no reason with no one responding to him. Usually, during his reading with various file reports, Systema would give her own opinion about the matter. A somewhat objective thought about the subject.


    ''*Sigh...* It shouldn''t take too long.'' He thought and turned his attention to the next files. It was about the southern colony. He was curious about how Lace manage to conquer it so fast, so he began reading with scrutiny.


    But as he read through the file report, Abraham could only wryly smile while cing the file back to the table. "Was this something I should have expected?"


    Lace threw a dozen of 300-kiloton sts throughout the southern colony. Was she trying to turn it into a wastnd? Luckily, none of the ves or citizens became a coteral damage. Otherwise, it would have be troublesome.


    "However... 300-kiloton sts. How overpowered is she?" Abraham felt stupefied by the power that Lace had portrayed in the liberation of the southern colony. She never looked like someone that could throw nukes at will. Though, he should have expected it.


    After all, she was a dragon.


    ''Let''s continue, I don''t want to hear more about her shenanigans.'' He thought and picked another file. It was about the northern operation led by Charlotte. He opened the file and began reading with interest since it should mostly be about the results of the naval battle.


    ''I wonder how the naval battle ended? I remembered getting reports about them fighting over a dozen battleships. Each of these warships also had their own Inquisitor,bined with the respective War Masters. This would be problematic, even for me.''


    Abraham wondered how she managed to handle the precarious circumstance she was forced to stand against.


    "Hmm... I see... So, this is how. Intriguing strategy, but a risky one." He muttered while reading through the file report of the northern operation. He wasn''t in the position to judge the tactics she had applied as he wasn''t the one fighting over a dozen battleships.


    So, he withheld his opinion about the subject and learned of the aftermath instead.


    "A critically-damaged frigate and several damaged ones, huh? There''s also casualties, but they haven''t reach the hundred, which is a piece of good news." Abraham felt heavy as casualties have began piling up since the beginning of the counter operations.


    However, it was the path he had nned to take. Regretting it now would be dishonorable to the sacrifices they have made for the United Navy.


    "I should hold a military funeral for each and every one of them. Let their name be remembered by the future generations of the United Navy." He dered and closed the file about the northern operation.


    ''But nheless, it seems that I was right. Charlotte decided to retreat from the north. It''s the best option she could have chosen. Otherwise, she would have been sending the northern fleet to their deaths.''


    ''The enemy is undoubtedly prepared. The northern fleet has already lost its element of surprise. However, this is a victory for the United Navy no matter what. Over a dozen of their battleships had been sunk, degrading the number of the naval force even further.''


    Abraham smiled as things were really going well for the United Navy. Even though there was the minor issue regarding the Inquisitors trying to assassinate him, it wasn''t muchpared to the victories of the United Navy liberating nearby inds.


    Anyhow, there were more files on the drawer, but most of them were about the internal situations of the Port of Dawn. He had time to handle them unlike the current operations of the United Navy.


    However, before he could continue thinking about the files and reports in front of him. A familiar mechanical bell rang inside his mind. Abraham raised his eyebrows as he realized what this sound meant.


    *Ding!*


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral. Naval Gacha System has been updated to its 1.1 |


    | You have unlocked Random Sea-Based Assets Spin! |


    | You have unlocked Random Personal-Power Spin! |


    | Congrattions, Systema has been upgraded. Assistance to the Fleet Admiral will be further increased, whether in battle or general tasks. |


    ¡ñ| Archipgo Freedom(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| Archipgo Freedom Requirement(Liberation of the Archipgo Colony Eisenberg) |


    ?| Colony: Eisenberg has beenpletely liberated(Calcting Rewards...) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    ¡ñ| ve Liberty(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| ve Liberty Requirement(Liberation of ves in the Southern Colony) |


    ?| 18,000 ves Liberated(Calcting Rewards...) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    ¡ñ| Cracking Gate(Liberation Mission) |


    ?| Cracking Gate Requirement(Dismantling of Terra''s Gate) |


    ?| The Northern Fortress has been abandoned by Terra(Calcting Rewards...) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    Following the notifications regarding the system update, the results of his sub-missions finally echoed inside his mind. They rattled in his head, like metallic chimes echoing along his thoughts. But Abraham was far from bothered since he was already used to it.


    "Should I consider this as unexpected or expected?" Abraham mumbled while gazing at the digital screens before him. Most of the sub-missions given to him waspleted without a problem. How? Well, the requirements exined it all.


    ''With the sess of all my operations, their rewards should being in.'' He thought, realizing that it was about time for his payday.


    Excitement surged into his heart like a flood from a broken dam. The amount of naval points he might gain from theirpletions wasn''t to be underestimated.


    "I''m about to be rich!" He shouted as quietly as possible, trying to maintain his calm as the fleet admiral of the United Navy.

 Chapter 143: | 143 | Preparation for the Finale

    In the Magus Tower of the Colonial Dominion of Terra, the Viceroy walked through the gothic halls with furrowed eyebrows. The air was tense, as though war was amidst the horizon. It wasn''t wrong, but it also wasn''t right.


    After all, it wasn''t as though war was bing inevitable by the minute. It had already started, and the Colonial Dominion of Terra was losing. Its territories were being liberated one after another.


    They were returning to square one, and the Viceroy of Terra wasn''t happy. His Sovereign had called upon his runicmunicator and reminded him that attention was being pointed at the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    The emergence of an unexpected underdog, the United Navy, was attracting unwanted attention from several factions outside the Ferus Sea. Even foreign Colonial Dominions were thinking of intervening in the instability of the sea region.


    ''We need to defeat the United Navy. Otherwise, the Colonial Dominion of Terra will fall. I will be emunicated and my family will be dishonored.'' He thought to himself while clenching his fist.


    The Colonial Dominion of Terra should have been the farthest from the Frontier. But why was it the first Colonial Dominion who''s about to fall?


    ''It''s also because of that dragoness!'' The Viceroy felt anger after remembering what the dragoness had done to the southern colony. They received reports that the Dragon of the United Navy turned their military barracks into a wastnd, killing thousands of soldiers.


    Naturally, this caused the morale of the military to almost copsed. After all, what could they do against the Dragon of Liberation? The one that destroyed an entire colony''s military strength on her own with remarkable ease.


    Facing against her was akin to fighting against destiny or death. There was simply nothing they could do against her. Or so they thought... The Arch Magus appeared out of nowhere during the military meeting and told them that he had an idea regarding the dragoness.


    And so, the Viceroy nned to meet with the Arch Magus and question him. He wanted to know how they would defeat the legendary dragon originating from the Frontier.


    It didn''t take long before he arrived at the end of the hallway. Before him stood a gigantic door, but as he touched its smooth surface, it moved as though it was light as a feather


    The gothic doorway creaked as what emerged before him was the old decorations and statues scattered in a circr room. In its center was a table made of magical wood and a long chair built from the ashes of a Sea Leviathan.


    On the ominous chair sat the Arch Magus of the Magus Tower, Gunther. He gazed at the Viceroy walking towards him and waved his hand, causing a chair to appear out of nowhere.


    "What may be the reason of your visit, Sir Viceroy?" The Arch Magus calmly asked while the Viceroy sat on the chair and crossed his leg with the same furrowed expression as before. He lightly tapped the table and replied.


    "The military has been following what you desire, Arch Magus. I need to know how you n to handle the dragoness. I don''t wish to be ignorant, nor am I naive enough to continue being as such." The Viceroy swiftly stated his reason to the Arch Magus.


    There was no need for word y or beautiful remarks. What he wanted from Gunther was an answer. A clear and concise one. Something that would be eptable to his ears.


    "I understand your frustration, Sir Viceroy. Believe me, I truly do so. But sadly, I cannot tell much about our n. You simply need to trust the Magus Tower to be able to take down the dragon." The Arch Magus shook his head, not desiring to give more details about the n.


    "I have let youmand my force at will, Arch Magus! Is this how you repay me? I don''t need trust! I need the truth! Give it to me, or the military will be creating its own n." The Viceroy mmed his hands on the table.


    He was deeply angered by the unsatisfying answer of the Arch Magus. There was no way he could believe in something as feeble as trust. There was a reason why he stands as the Viceroy of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It was all because he didn''t dare to trust anybody else.


    Not even himself.


    The Arch Magus looked unbothered by the outrage of the Viceroy. He merely squinted his eyes and questioned the one before him. "Why do you not trust us, Sir Viceroy? We are the Magus Tower, the second most honored of all existence."


    Hearing the questioning words of the Arch Magus, the Viceroy finally calmed down and took a deep breath. He faced the scrutinizing eyes of the old man without fear and answered.


    "I have heard about how your Magus perform in the field. They always lose against the United Navy, even without the dragon''s intervention. Not only that, during the battle in our southern seas, those Inquisitors ran away with their tails tuck in between their legs."


    "My military has paid the price for the trust it has given the Magus Tower, Arch Magus." The Viceroy exined the reasons for his doubts towards the Magus Tower. And he wasn''t wrong. Most of the time, the Magus failed him.


    The elites of the elites? Why were they falling one after another in the face of the United Navy? Why do these conjurers of mystic not able to defeat a group of mortal and manaless humans?


    Gunther raised his eyebrows after he had heard the reasoning of the Viceroy. But he felt that it wasn''tplete, so he asked. "That may be a part of your reasons. But you haven''t told me the one that brought you here in front of me."


    The Viceroy froze as the Arch Magus hit directly on the spot. The actual reason for his visit wasn''t about the ipetent Magus or the casualties of his military. He then gritted his teeth in annoyance and responded.


    "The Sovereign has called. He wants me to take care of the problem. The Colonial Dominion of Terra has attracted too much attention. Our lost might signal the unfortunate destiny of humanity."


    "So, no matter what! We must not lose. The Sovereign will be disappointed, and you know what will happen if he bes disappointed." It was a threat, not only towards the Arch Magus, but also to himself.


    The moment the Arch Magus heard of the word Sovereign. His arrogant self faded and was reced that of faith. He looked at the Viceroy with understanding and uttered.


    "It appears that the Sovereign has be intrigued with our pitiful circumstance. Nheless, he trusts us enough to handle the problem ourselves. And we must do so, no matter what." Gunther stated to the Viceroy.


    "Sir Viceroy, as the Sovereign has called for you. I shall respect his wishes and let you be less ignorant of our n." Finally, the Arch Magus was about to reveal some details about the strategy against the Dragon of Liberation.


    The Viceroy felt curious as his ears perked up, wanting to hear about the strategy of the Magus Tower. He wondered what kind of mystical things they nned to do to take care of the dragoness.


    "Our n is fairly simple. Our enemies can be separated into two forces. The United Navy and the Dragon of Liberation. The United Navy is strong, that is for sure. But with the Dragon of Liberation, they are unstoppable."


    "In order to have a chance in the finale, we must take care of the Dragon of Liberation before fighting against the United Navy." The Arch Magus first stated the rationale of the strategy.


    "But how will you take care of the dragoness, Sir Magus? She has a body almost rivalling that of a Sovereign, andplete authority over particr elements. She had gone much more strongerpared to herself in the Frontier."


    The Viceroy expressed his uncertainty in fighting against the Dragon of Liberation. No matter what spell they cooked up. Unless a Sovereign emerges with their real body, they wouldn''t stand a chance.


    If the normal could have dealt with the dragon, she would have be nothing more but scattered treasures.


    "That is correct. She is much stronger than us. No matter what we do, we wouldn''t be able to defeat her." Unexpectedly, the Arch Magus was in agreement with the Viceroy''s uncertainty. But he immediately changed his stance and continued. "But who said that he would be fighting her?"


    "Eh?" The Viceroy felt confused, wondering what the Arch Magus meant. How could they deal with the United Navy without defeating the dragoness? She considers the heretical-organization as a part of her den.


    She would defend it as though was protecting her mystical treasures.


    "Fighting in an unstoppable battle is foolish." The Arch Magus remarked and continued. "So, instead of fighting, we must adopt another strategy."


    "Our second option would be to separate them with one another. Without her, the United Navy would be on its own. If we manage to defeat the United Navy, even if we faced the wrath of the Dragon of Liberation, it would still be our victory." He calmly exined to the Viceroy.


    "The Magus Tower is creating a spell that would do the job of separation. After that, your military and my Magi will attack the remaining of the United Navy in our full power." Gunther stood up from his seat and walked towards the balcony.


    "But remember, Sir Viceroy. At that moment, death will have its clock ticking above us."

 Chapter 144: | 144 | More New Warships

    Silence shrouded the fleet admiral''s office residing deep inside the branch office building. Abraham nkly gazed forward to an empty wall as though he was looking at something important. In actuality, he was gazing at something significant.


    Before him was a digital screen disying the amount of wealth he currently had in his pockets. And to say the least, it was thergest amount of Naval Points he had gotten from the system.


    "7,000 Naval Points... The amount of frigates I can buy with it." Abraham quietly muttered to himself, imagining a fleet of 20 Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigates under hismand. But at the moment, numbers weren''t the things he needed the most.


    It was versatility and adaptability.


    To gain what he needed, he needed to gain several warships that could be useful in therger picture of the United Navy.


    "The Lightning Carrier, Jaeger of the Blue Seas, has proven itself to be incredibly effective. Its fighters have practically dominated the airspace above Eisenberg and allowed for long-range tactical mission."


    "It was because of this warship that the Storm Fleet of the United Navy managed to destroy several runic shielding scattered throughout the colony." Abraham mumbled, remembering the report about the Lightning Carrier and what it had done in the operation against the Archipgo Colony.


    He could buy another Lightning Carrier, but that would be too expensive for his own good. Instead, he wanted to test his luck. Whether or not, would he really gain something interesting from the Random Naval Spin.


    Besides, he also wanted to try the new features of the Naval Gacha System. This was the best moment to use it, the time where he has 7,000 Naval Points in stock.


    With this in mind, Abraham opened his drawer andtook out a telephone from it. He openedmunications with themand center in the defense sector of the Port of Dawn and gave them orders.


    "New warships are about to be summoned to join our fleet. I want the port personnel to be prepared, and don''t want our guns to be pointed at them." It was practically needed for him to always give orders to his subordinates when summoning warships.


    After all, the teleportation ability of their adversaries made them tense against warships that emerge out of nowhere. Abraham didn''t want them to shoot at each other, so it was important to give warning.


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I will be rying your orders to the remaining fleet." Themunication operator from the other side responded and swiftly contacted an intelligence officer. The moment the intelligence officer heard of the orders, he rapidly ryed it to most of themand center.


    With that, the naval personnel scattered throughout the Port of Dawn should be aware of the uing summoning.


    It was finally time to stop resisting the urge. After all, who wouldn''t want to gamble in arge spinning wheel.


    ''Systema, use 2,000 Naval Points to purchase two Naval Random Spins.'' Abraham quietly thought while closing his eyelids. It didn''t take long before a mechanical bell rang inside his mind. The edges of his lips rose as it had begun.


    *Ding!*


    | Understood, Fleet Admiral. |


    | Random Naval Spin Selected! |


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    In a mere instant, a massive glowing wheel materialized before his eyes. Within it were the same hundreds of sses of warships and ships he had seen before. It came from different nations across his former world.


    Though, it did make him wonder why most of his warships came from the US of A.


    At any rate, the arrow in the center of the massive wheel began spinning. It started slow at first, but became blurry in seconds. Abraham carefully watched as it passed through hundreds of warships and ships.


    As said before, what he wanted was a ship with versatility and adaptability like the America-ss Carrier, or Lightning Carrier for short. So, he was somewhat tense regarding what he could get from the spin.


    It didn''t take long before the arrow was beginning to slow down. He watched with a scrutinizing gaze as it slowly but surely concluded its spinning session.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | Congrattions! You have received (Prototype Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship)! |


    "A what?" Abraham found himself stupefied as he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. He wondered if he had be crazy because of excitement. He expected a warship or a ship, an airship was beyond his expectations.


    It didn''t evene to mine.


    ''And a prototype, huh? Is it somewhat simr to the UNS Trinity of Sce?'' He wondered to himself, but out of nowhere, a monotone voice answered his question.


    | It is somewhat simr to the UNS Trinity of Sce, Fleet Admiral. But it is also different in a way. The UNS Trinity of Sce is a personalized warship of the Fleet Admiral. On the other hand, the airship has its own captain and crew under the authority of the highest ofmand. |


    | The Prototype Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship is part of the newest types of ships that was updated into the Naval Gacha System. There are many more of the Prototypes, ships that were merely imagined, not built. |


    The exnation of Systema made the stupefied Abraham calm down. It seems that the update didn''t only give him features, which was interesting. The fact that not only real warships, but imaginary ones got included was intriguing for the fleet admiral.


    It made him wonder what the limits of the Naval Gacha System were.


    ''Though, I didn''t think that my first non-American ship would be a prototype of a German airship.'' He thought as despite expecting a warship not part of the US Navy, he wasn''t expecting it to be an imagined German airship.


    ''But I guess this isn''t too troublesome. After all, who knows what a Prototype Advanced Airship could do.'' Abraham was undeniably curious about its capabilities.


    However, the Random Naval Spin hasn''t ended yet. After all, he bought two of them, costing him 2,000 Naval Points.


    He turned his attention to the massive wheel in front of him. It was as if it waited for his attention before beginning the spinning session. A mechanical bell rang and like before, the arrow at the center rapidly spun.


    *Ding!*


    | Random Naval Spin Selected! |


    | Triggering Spin¡­ |


    Abraham calmly waited for it to conclude. He wasn''t as nervous as before since he had realized that the Prototype might have been under the adaptability and versatility. Even if he had gotten something inadequate, he wouldn''t be too saddened by it.


    Though, it appears that Abraham was in for a surprise.


    Seconds passed by, Abraham watched with interest as the arrow passed through numerous sses and types in the Naval Random Spin. It didn''t take long before the following notifications emerged before him.


    | Revolution Terminating in 5¡­4¡­3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | Congrattions! You have received (Virginia-ss Block V Submarine)! |


    He looked at the notification with a frozen expression. He wondered if fate was messing with him. He had little to no expectations, yet the Naval Gacha System seems to give him the best. Would reverse psychology work against his system?


    ''Nah, I''d rather not test it.'' Abraham shook his head and turned his attention to his recently-gained warship. It was a submarine, his first one. And it was amongst the most powerful submarines in his former world.


    From his memories, the Virginia-ss Block V Submarine was an attack submarine of the US Navy. It was equipped with usual armaments and conventional weapons along with advanced technology.


    It would be able to sneak up into the shores of enemy territories with ease and assault them with the full power of an attack submarine. It was practically suited with ambushes.


    ''This is amongst the most versatile and adaptable warships I could have gained. I guess this is the early update luck I am getting.'' Abraham thought after calming himself down. He turned his gaze towards the window of his office and saw golden light gleaming near his ports.


    Every Naval Personnel watched the golden light with interest. After all, they have been told that the fleet admiral was about to summon more of theirrades into this world. Surprisingly, however, only one golden light brilliantly glowed in the seas.


    The other golden light radiantly gleamed in the heavens. The Naval Personnel near the docks looked at the two and wondered why one of their ships was above them with the heavens.


    Some even backed away, thinking that it would fall directly in the waters near them.


    Abraham stared at the golden lights, which faded with time. What reced the brilliance in the sea was a Virginia-ss Block V Attack Submarine. On the other hand, what emerged from the radiance in the heavens was none other than the Prototype Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship.


    It was a lot bigger than the UNS Trinity of Sce in terms of size, and it also proimed an intriguing futuristic look with its search lights scattered everywhere on its main body. It makes one wonder if it really was a human ship.


    It seems to resemble an alien one.


    "Damn, I didn''t think it would be that big." Abraham muttered to himself while gazing at the airship in the skies above the Port of Dawn. If they hadplete air supremacy, he wondered what his adversaries would feel upon fighting such behemoth.


    "With the discovery of Adamantium, the United Navy would no longer be suppress by magicraft. We would limitless grow, unimpeded by anyone and anything." He dered while observing the magnificent scene before him.


    The War for Liberation had already begun. And the finale was rising in the horizons. It was about time to see who rules over the sea region of Terra.


    Abraham began to smirk as he remarked.


    "I''m quite excited."

 Chapter 145: | 145 | Advancements of the United Navy

    Abraham watched the two newly-summoned warships with pride. They were the newest to join the fleet of United Navy, and they won''t be thest. He turned his gaze towards his desk and walked towards it. After all, he still had 5,000 Naval Points left.


    In a war, it was better to be not ignorant of the cards he had on deck. Saving his Naval Points and using it only when needed severely relied on luck. Even though his luck was good, he didn''t desire to ce the destiny of the United Navy of such a fickle concept.


    With this in mind, Abraham sat back to hisfy chair as a digital screen materialized before his eyes. Inside it was the remaining Naval Points in his pocket. Naturally as said before, he wanted to spend it all.


    "The first thing I need to guarantee is the growth of the Port of Dawn. It is the heart of the United Navy, and as we grow, the heavier it load bes. The capability of the Port of Dawn to handle the fleets of the United Navy is paramount." He muttered while closing his eyelids.


    His words weren''t wrong. The advancement of the Port of Dawn heavily tied with the United Navy. After all, it was the only port they had. It needed to be capable, otherwise the logistics would get too overloaded and crowded.


    As such, Abraham opened his eyelids with clear determination in his eyes. He had already made a decision, and there was no going back now.


    ''Systema, how much do I have to spend to upgrade the Port of Dawn to its next level?'' Abraham questioned his precious partner, wanting to know the price of the upgrade he was about to purchase.


    After all, his decision all depends whether or not he could handle the price presented by Systema.


    In mere moments, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind. Abraham saw a digital screen materialized before him as a monotone voice followed.


    | The cost of the Port of Dawn''s Level 2 Upgrade is 2,000 Naval Points, Fleet Admiral. |


    Hearing the answer of Systema, Abraham raised an eyebrow since the price wasn''t as high as he had previously expected. He thought that the starting price would increase exponentially, but it seems that he had thought of the system wrong.


    It was simple, and wasn''t trying to exploit him.


    ''I am lucky to have a merciful system.'' He quietly thought to himself as the system hadn''t been hard on him since the beginning of his transmigration,. This was something he was thankful for. After all, other stories always portrayed systems as mad ve-owners of some sort.


    "Okay, Systema. I''d like to purchase the level 2 of the Port of Dawn." Abraham didn''t hesitate anymore as 2,000 Naval Points was within his ability to sacrifice. Thinking more would be wasting his precious moments of calm.


    | Understood, Fleet Admiral! |


    | Your purchase is appreciated by the System! |


    For some reason, despite uttering such words in a monotone voice, Abraham could imagine a clerk working for some convenience store speaking to him. Though, he quickly shook his head and got rid of such useless thoughts.


    Like his first upgrade of the Port of Dawn, a mechanical bell rang inside Abraham''s mind. Following it was a notification screen materializing in front of his perception.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral has purchased the naval base level 2 upgrade. |


    | Upgrading Naval Base(Port of Dawn)¡­ |


    In this very moment, a golden radiance shrouded the entirety of Port of Dawn. Not a single thing was left behind as every speck of the port gleamed with brilliance. Naturally, Abraham was blinded by light emitted by the upgrade process.


    ''Dang!'' He thought while closing his eyelids from the radiance that seemed to desire to blind him. Though, it didn''t take long before the golden brilliance dimmed. And moments afterward, it faded as if it hadn''t emerged in the first ce.


    Abraham was disoriented, but quickly regained his calm. He quickly observed his surroundings and noticed that nothing changed inside his office. But it wasn''t like change should be expected. After all, the upgrade was targeted towards the Port of Dawn itself.


    And he soon realized this as he turned his eyes towards the windows of his office. Before the upgrade, medium-sized buildings found itself scattered throughout the Port of Dawn. It was akin to a small town with a busting popce.


    But now... It had be far more different than ever before. In front of his eyes was akin to a small city. Medium-sized buildings were spread throughout the Port of Dawn, but along with them were towering high-rise buildings.


    It was shocking to say the least. The Port of Dawn had be greater than it could have imagined itself to be.


    ''I didn''t think that the level 2 upgrade would have such a great effect.'' Abraham thought while observing the scenery with a scrutinizing expression.


    At any rate, several notification screens emerged before his amazed eyes, blocking the scenic view of a somewhat modern city. Along with it was the usual mechanical bell ringing inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Port of Dawn sessfully upgraded. |


    | Port Personnel increased from 5,000 to 25,000! |


    | High port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities added! |


    | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalion of the UA has been summoned! |


    Reading the words in the notification screens. Abraham finally realized why towering buildings appeared in the Port of Dawn. Like before, the poption of the Port of Dawn had increased five-times its size.


    The first upgrade might not have been troublesome. After all, the increase was 1,000 to 5,000 personnel. But, on the other hand, the second upgrade was five times greater than the first. It was 5,000 to 25,000, an increase of 20,000 personnel.


    His thoughts about the Port of Dawn handling the logistics of the fleet was practically thrown out of the window as the current fleet of the United Navy might be too small for the current port.


    "For some reason, I feel like I had already said this before. But damn! The United Navy is growing pretty fast." Abraham muttered since the growth of the United Navy was greater than ever before.


    "Yeah, a bit too fast." Out of nowhere, he heard a familiar soothing voice. He turned his gaze towards the direction where it came from and saw Lace staring at him in disbelief. It was at this moment that he realized that there wasn''t only his summoned personnel in the Port of Dawn.


    Abraham wryly smiled while rubbing the back of his head. "Eh... Apologies for that." One would be beyond astounded for everything to glow out of nowhere. While Lace somewhat understood what it was, many thought it was an attack from the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    These sentiments mostly came from the SRU personnel, who were horrified by the glowing radiance.


    Seeing Abraham''s apologetic expression, Lace sighed and leaned beside his desk. "Well, it doesn''t bother me much. So, what changed?" While most of her subordinates were in a state of confusion, as long as Abraham was good, others simply didn''t matter enough for her.


    It was the mindset of a dragon, a priority of what was important to her.


    Hearing Lace''s inquiry, Abraham felt that he needed to be honest so he quickly responded to the dragoness. "The only thing I discovered is the high-rise buildings and the poption increase."


    "The intelligence officers should being to report the changes of the Port of Dawn." He turned his gaze towards the front door of his office, prompting Lace to do the same.


    "But how much did the poption increase, Abraham?" Lace asked since the change that Abraham had introduced to the Port of Dawn practically turned it into something greater. She could somewhat feel therge poption.


    "Hmm... It increased from 5,000 to 25,000, not including the naval fleet personnel." Abraham answered while staring at the scenic view from his window. It also seems that the floor of his office had be higher.


    "And this isn''t including the naval fleet personnel along with the beastfolk poption. The Port of Dawn has be a city in mere moments. I''m sure that the newly-emerged port personnel can adapt. But would the beastfolks be able to do the same." Lace remarked while squinting her eyelids.


    This was troublesome for her as she understood that ignorance could breed troublesome issues.


    "But, I''m sure you would be able to fix it." She looked at Abraham and smiled. After all, every problematic things had always been solved by him. This wouldn''t be different.


    "I''ll try rectifying my mistakes to the beastfolks." Abraham uttered with determination, understanding the seriousness of the situation.


    "There''s no need to be so serious, Abraham." Lace chuckled after seeing his seriousness and continued. "While the loyalty of the beastfolks couldn''t bepared to the loyalty of your actual subordinates. The loyalty they have for you is greater than they have for me."


    "And they already consider me a deity of some sort." She stopped chuckling and looked at the front door. "It seems that they have arrived. I''m looking forward about hearing the actual changes of the Port of Dawn."


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    A momentter, someone began knocking on his door. Abraham gazed at it and stated. "You can enter." Following such words, the door opened and a group of intelligence officers entered his office.


    On their arms were various reports about the changes of the Port of Dawn. The reports were a lot, causing the fleet admiral to almost get disgusted from the amount of files they were nning to give him.

 Chapter 146: | 146 | Actual Status Report

    In the towering skyline of the branch office building was the lone office of the fleet admiral. It stood amongst the greatest ce where most directions affecting the future of the United Navy took ce. And at the moment, Abraham was about to hear the actual status report of the Port of Dawn.


    Beside the famous fleet admiral was the infamous dragoness who was the rumored sword of the highest of authority. She wields a lot of authority and power in the United Navy. Rivalling that of people such as Vice Admiral Charlotte of the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    "With your senses, shouldn''t you have some kind of idea about the current status of the Port of Dawn?" He turned his gaze towards the beautiful white-haired dragoness and questioned. Her senses was the best of all existence. That was what he thought of Lace.


    He was confident of this idea and could attest it.


    Lace chuckled after hearing his words of pride towards her senses. Technically, he wasn''t wrong about his words. She could somewhat sense the current status of the Port of Dawn. However...


    "You overestimate me too much, Abraham. While I could hear the changes of the Port of Dawn, the levels of details I can excavate from it is akin to someone trying the ocean with the cup of water on his hand." Lace responded to the fleet admiral, who merely nodded in understanding.


    "I see... So, hearing everything doesn''t mean actually hearing everything. One would have to focus their mind to have rity and understanding." Abraham felt theplexities of Lace''s capabilities.


    While he didn''t have her high senses, he could feel the amount of work and focus she needed to do to be able to run a normal life. It might be the reason why she blocked her attention to the people calling her name.


    At any rate, Abraham returned his attention to the intelligence officers in front of him. On their arms were dozens of files that would have been troublesome for him to thoroughly read. Fortunately, Lace was there to save him.


    "Please summarize the reports for the fleet admiral. He will read it afterward to gain understanding of various details." Her soothing words echoed throughout his office.


    Hearing her, the intelligence officers nodded in understanding as they felt that reading through the mountain of reports would have been bothersome even for the fleet admiral. With this in mind, one of them stepped forward and volunteered to report the status of the Port of Dawn to the fleet admiral.


    "I will be reporting the status of the Port of Dawn, Fleet Admiral." The intelligence officer saluted while Lace nodded in satisfaction. "Good, the Fleet Admiral will be hearing from you. Make it concise and straightforward as to prevent misunderstandings."


    "Affirmative, Lieutenant Colonel Lace." He nodded his head rapidly and turned his attention to the bunch of papers in front of him. The first thing he needed to report was simple. It was none other than the current poption of the Port of Dawn.


    "Fleet Admiral, our port poption has increased from 5,000 personnel to 25,000 people. This doesn''t include the 4,500 naval personnel, totaling the general numbers to 29,500 personnel under the authority of the United Navy."


    "There is also the beastfolk poption reaching 6,000 people, increasing our total numbers to 35,500 people. Fortunately, along with the growth of poption. Dozens of our vital structures have been upgraded or grown in numbers."


    "Our docks have reached five to twenty docks in our shores. The port area have also be heavily defined, especially with thebination of our military cargo ships. Cranes have established themselves and have reached the hundreds."


    "With this, our transportation and cargo capabilities have more or less quadrupled in terms of efficiency and size." The intelligence officer first reported, earning the nod of the Fleet Admiral.


    "I didn''t think that our poption would skyrocket beyond 30,000. No wonder things have be more hectic in the Port of Dawn." Lace remarked while ncing at the scenic view of the city through Abraham''s windows.


    "Yes, things have be more lively with the increased poption, Lieutenant Colonel Lace." The intelligence officer nodded in agreement and continued with his report. Now that the poption report had concluded, it was time for the next.


    "Our warehouses have reached the number of hundreds. Not only that, many of the empty ones have been replenished and filled to the brim. We wouldn''t have to worry about a shortage because of the poption increased."


    "With the current supplies we have in stock, we should be able tost a year and a half even with our high poption." The intelligence officer calmly reported.


    Abraham had already guessed the replenishment of the warehouses and their growth. It was something he had expected since the first upgrade he had done to the Port of Dawn. It was vital and paramount as it increased the general lifespan of the United Navy.


    "This is a piece of good news. With a year and a half worth of supplies, we should be able to be self-producing at a pleasant pace." Abraham expressed his satisfaction over the report.


    "The construction of more production facilities would assist our goal of independence, Fleet Admiral." The intelligence officer calmly stated and continued the report.


    It was about time for the most important part of the report. It was the current status of the Port of Dawn''s defensive forces. In the first level upgrade, they had grown considerably well have be a dominating force of the ind.


    He wondered what their capabilities would be in the second level.


    "The United Navy is growing pretty fast." Lace remarked, attracting the attention of the fleet admiral. She sighed to herself as she remembered the time where they were small and simple.


    Nheless, there was nothing she could do about it. Growth was essential for the United Navy and its survival in this world. The moment they be stagnant, other factions might potentially eat them for their gains.


    This was something Lace wished to avoid, no matter the cost.


    "I have the same feeling, Lace. Even for me, the elerated growth of the United Navy is somewhat difficult to adapt to. I remembered months ago where we were nothing more but a port on the side of the ocean."


    "And in such a time period, we have be a great city in the middle of the vast expanse." Abrahammented while gazing through his windows, calmly observing the scenic view of the towering skylines.


    "At any rate, please continue in your report. Don''t mind ourments." Abraham told the intelligence officer, who simply nodded in understanding.


    "I shall begin the status report of our defensive forces. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalions of the United Army have positioned themselves and are working together with the experienced 1st Battalion. Their numbers should be 6,000 in total, including the supplementary personnel."


    "Our United Army fields over one thousand Humvees, five hundred LMTV military trucks, over a hundred m2A4 Bradleys, aplete hundred of defensive arrays of Multi-Mission Launchers(MML), a two hundred m1A2 Sepv3 Abrahams, and fifty m109A6 Pdin."


    As expected, the ground forces of the Port of Dawn had grown beyond his expectations. The amount of armament and vehicles they wield couldn''t be underestimated. The moment they were sent over into an another ind, they would probably conquer it in less than a day.


    "Following these ground vehicles, the United Army''s air support consists of a hundred UH-60M ck Hawks, fifty MH-6M Little Birds, three dozens AH-64E Apaches, two dozens CH-47F Block II Chinooks, a dozen A-10 Thunderbolt II, and six AC-130."


    Not only was the ground forces of the United Army severely upgraded. Its air support when to aplete overhaul and could be considered an army of its own. With them around, one couldn''t get aerial dominance over the skies where these vehicles dwelled.


    "Whenbined together, our United Army should have the capabilities to rival even the first-world nations of our former world." The intelligence proudly remarked, and he wasn''t wrong about his words. The United Army was very strong, even under the standards of the modern world.


    "From your expression, Abraham. I can only expect it to be incredibly satisfying to have such a high number of vehicles and weapons. With them around, the casualties surrounding our soldiers would probably lessened, even against magicraft."


    Lace calmly uttered while looking at the fleet admiral''s office. The amazed Abraham immediately regained his calm and lightly cough. "Thank you for the reminder, Lieutenant Colonel Lace."


    He didn''t want to make a fool of himself in front of his subordinates, especially the intelligence officers. They were excellent in spreading rumors, and he didn''t want to be their next interesting topic.


    "No problem, Fleet Admiral. Anyhow, thank you for the status report. Please leave your files on his table and return to your stations. We will be handling them from now on." Lace ordered the intelligence officers, who nodded in understanding.


    They ced their mountain of files onto his table, making him somewhat sweat from how big it was. Afterward, they saluted to the fleet admiral and left the confines of his office.


    "Now that they are gone, shall we continue our business, Abraham? I''m sure their report must have interested you in some way, correct? Especially the growth of the United Army, they should be viable for inter-ind conflicts with their current capabilities." Lace muttered to the middle-aged man beside her.


    "I''m beyond satisfied, Lace." The edges of his lips rose as the two continued their discussion over the fate of the United Navy.

 Chapter 147: | 147 | UNS Orion Deep and UNS Ceaseless Skies

    In the fleet admiral''s office, the two authorities of the United Navy were swallowed in their conversation. They didn''t seem to notice time passing by. What felt like minutes to them, an hour had already passed. And it was Lace who first noticed the odd circumstance.


    She turned her gaze towards the clock and noticed that it had been an hour since the intelligence officers left Abraham''s office. Turning her attention back to Abraham, it appears he also hadn''t noticed how quickly time had passed by.


    While she would like to continue their conversation and let time pass for themselves, she understood that this wasn''t the moment to do so. Abraham had just upgraded the Port of Dawn, there were a lot of things that needed to be done.


    "It seems an hour had passed, Abraham. Quite fast for a simple conversation. I''ll have to go now, Mercedes should be looking for me. You should also read their reports, I''m sure you''ll need it." Lace uttered, bringing the fleet admiral out of his conversation.


    Abraham swiftly looked at the clock and saw that an hour had really fast. Were they that absorbed in their conversation? It didn''t feel like it was longer than ten minutes to him. At any rate, he nced at Lace and nodded in understanding.


    "Apologies for taking a lot of your time, Lace." He understood that like him, Lace also had her work piling up on her desk. She would probably return to her office and take care of the reportsing from the Special Response Unit.


    Lace merely chuckled after hearing him and remarked. "There''s no need to apologize, Abraham. Besides..." She took a step closer and tuck his cor, pulling his lips to hers. It was one moment, but it felt a long time for the two.


    "I enjoy spending my time with you." Afterward, she waved her hand and disappeared from the spot. Silence soon shrouded his office, while he sat frozen on his chair, thinking about the enjoying feeling in his lips.


    It took a while for him to regain himself, and he chuckled while muttering to himself. "She really knows how to tug my heart strings. As expected of a dragon,"


    Before Abraham could continue thinking about what Lace had done to him, the telephone in his drawers rang. He raised his eyebrows and opened his drawer before picking up the telephone. "This is Abraham Shepherd, how may I help you?"


    "Fleet Admiral, themanding officers of UNS Orion Deep and UNS Ceaseless Skies wishes to meet you." Amunication operator reported, making him realized what the call was all about. Abraham nced at the submarine and airship near the docks and replied to the operator.


    "Tell them toe to my office." He was also curious about who thesemanding officers were. Especially the captain of UNS Ceaseless Skies, the Prototype Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship. This was his first airship, so he was curious about what its capabilities were.


    ''The airship looks far more dreadful than the ones I have seen in pictures from the past. It resembles more of a flying warship than a glorified hot air balloon. I wonder what technology it operates to be able to create such a striking image.''


    Abraham felt as though he was staring at some spaceship of some sort. To be honest, he would have likely thought of it as a spaceship than an airship if not for its name.


    "At any rate, let''s check out their detailed information. I''m sure Systema has some intelligence about the." He mumbled and called out for Systema inside his mind. ''Systema, please give me the detailed description of UNS Orion Deep and UNS Ceaseless Skies.''


    After such a thought, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind followed by a monotone voice.


    *Ding!*


    | Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. Presenting detailed descriptions of spoken warships. |


    Two long-winded digital screens materialized before his eyes. Each of them contained the detailed descriptions of the ships he had recently summoned from the system.


    ¡ñ| UNS Ceaseless Skies |


    ?| The UNS Ceaseless Skies is an Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship of the Prototype Designation. It is the most advance airship in the world, utilizing unique designs carefully incorporating itsrge mass and its hydrogen gas cells. It is also made of Adamantium, the lightest and strongest metal known to man. |


    ?| The Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship is part of the aerial dominance category. It has the ability to control an entire country''s airspace on its own for months, granted that this country doesn''t have six-generation aircrafts under theirmand.|


    ?| The Ceaseless Skies has an unusually massive discement for an aircraft, reaching a discement capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of gas. It has a length of 330 meters with a diameter of 60 meters. It is powered by a nuclear reactor, reaching the speeds of 200 miles per hour.


    ?| Its current crewplement is about 500 officers and enlisted personnel, mostly through its strange capabilities as an airship, utilizing mostly UAVs for all of its operations. It is mostly recognized as an ''air'' aircraft carrier. |


    ?| The Advanced Airship carries 40 MQ-9 Reaper, 20 RQ-170 Sentinel, and 45 MQ-28 Ghost Bat. It is also surrounded with eight 20mm Phnx CIWS in all of its sides along with five RIM-118 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers. |


    ?| The UNS Ceaseless Skies is the United Navy''s authority over the skies. |


    After reading through the description of the airship, Abraham felt astounded beyond relief. The UNS Ceaseless Skies went beyond his expectations. It was actually a flying UAV carrier. Practically, bordering sci-fi on its own.


    ''Wait, wouldn''t this mean that I wouldn''t have to worry enemy battleships suddenly teleporting beside this warship? After all, it is residing in the skies. There would be nothing they could do about it.'' Abraham could already imagined the implications the airship had in the battlefield.


    ording to the description of the airship, it could practically deny an entire country''s airspace for months without any problem. This might be a good card against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. With these UAVs around, Abraham wouldn''t have to worry carrying out harassment operations.


    ''Not only that, this is the first Adamantium ship I have gotten from the system. I''m fairly confident that Adamantium didn''t exist in the former world, but ording to the system, this is of the prototype category. Things that were imagined, but never built.''


    ''The Adamantium property of the airship might be connected to the United Navy, which makes sense in of itself.'' Abraham carefully thought about the material the airship was made of. He could also have the R&D Department to research part of the ship, further increasing their knowledge of the new element.


    "But before doing all of that, let''s continue and read the detailed description of the UNS Orion Deep. From what I remember, it should be a Nuclear-Attack Submarine. Pretty, interesting." Abraham muttered before turning his attention to the digital screen of the UNS Orion Deep.


    ¡ñ| UNS Orion Deep |


    ?| The UNS Orion Deep is a Virginia-ss Attack Submarine of the Block V designation. It is amongst the newest ss of nuclear submarines capable of a broad spectrum of open-ocean or littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations. |


    ?| With this in mind, the nuclear attack submarine is incredibly capable in the lines of Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare(ASuW). It ispletely capable of moving on its own for months in a time, making it the perfect asset for long-term operations. |


    ?| The UNS Orion Deep has a discement of 10,400 tons with a length of 140 meters and a beam reaching 10 meters high. It is also equipped with the S9G Nuclear Reactor, giving it a maximum speed of up to 35 knots. |


    ?| Its crewpliment is about 120 enlisted personnel and 14 officers. It also has a payload of 40 Tomahawk Missiles along with the following armaments. It has 12 VLS and 4 torpedo capsules, capable ofunching Mark 48 Torpedoes, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, and Harpoon Missiles. |


    ?| It would also be equipped with addition VPM module which contains fourrge diameter tubes which can amodate seven Tomahawk cruise missiles each. |


    ?| The UNS Orion Deep is the United Navy''s Deep Sea Hunter. It will never fail to hunt a prey it has its eyes on. |


    Abraham calmly read through the detailed description of the UNS Orion Deep. Only one word seem to dwell in his mind as he read through its description.


    ''Impressive.'' The nuclear attack submarine wasn''t to be underestimated. He could probably send it near the continent of Europa and have it harass military ports in its shores. This would probably buy time for the United Navy to prepare for a possible counter-invasion by the humanity of this world.


    "Now that I think about it, the warships the system has given me is incredibly geared to harassment. With them around, I wouldn''t have to worry about meeting unexpected ambushes and could probably deal some heavy blows towards our adversaries." Hemented with a smile.


    To the current situation of the United Navy, where it was preparing for the finale of the war in the sea region of Terra. These two warships might be able to turn the tides in their favor. After all, who in the hell would y fair in a battle between two factions?


    Even the Colonial Dominion of Terra never bothered to y fair with its inquisitors appearing in the Port of Dawn to hunt him down.


    "Nheless, there is one thing clear. The United Navy will grow further and will not stop until it reaches the very top. It will be a difficult journey, but a worthwhile one." Abraham smiled as he gazed at the scenic view of the city beyond his windows.

 Chapter 148: | 148 | The Newly-Summoned Commanding Officers

    Silence shrouded the lengthy hallway of the branch office building covered with ornaments of all kinds. Walking through it were the twomanding officers belonging to the newly-summoned warships. They have been sent to the fleet admiral''s office to personally meet him.


    "Captain Himmel, do you believe the words they have uttered to us?" A white-bearded middle-aged man questioned a young man beside him. It has been a while since they were summoned into the foreign world, and many of their questions had been answered by nearby intelligence officers.


    The young man, also known as Captain Himmel, nced at the middle-aged man and coolly answered. "We have no choice but to believe them, Captain Tief. Besides, they have already exined it clearly to us. We have no choice but to trust them. Otherwise..."


    "Are you suggesting to doubt the United Navy?" Captain Himmel raised an eyebrow, while the white-bearded middle-aged man calmly shook his head. "I don''t desire to doubt the United Navy, Captain Himmel. I just find our circumstance strange."


    "If we think carefully about it, it isn''t as strange as you imply, Captain Tief. A golden light enveloped us and sent us into a location unknown to our navigational systems. It''s clear that we have been summoned into a foreign world. By our fleet admiral, nheless." Captain Himmel stated.


    "Apologies if I have offended you in some way, Captain Himmel." Captain Tief wondered if he had pissed the young captain in some way. Captain Himmel rejected his apologies and rified. "You have not offended me in anyway, Captain Tief."


    "I merely wish to remind you that we are about to meet the highest of authority in the United Navy. These type of discussions isn''t something we should be conversing in our situation." Captain Himmel understood that things were strange.


    But this wasn''t the time to doubt the United Navy. Especially when they were about to meet the fleet admiral. Doubting the authority of the United Navy might as well be treason, and Captain Himmel didn''t want to be disloyal to the highest authority.


    "I see... Nheless, it is surprising to arrive in a world brimming with magic and fantastical creatures. It is evident that our fleet admiral is working hard to maintain our existence in this foreign world. It also seems that many of ourrades are adapting well."


    Captain Tief expressed his thoughts about the matter before him. It was hard to not feel left out, but it was understandable. Compared to others, they were practicallyters. They needed the fleet admiral''s orders to find their duties in the foreign world.


    On the other hand, Captain Himmel merely raised an eyebrow and didn''t reply. The forces of the United Navy had grown everrger ording to the intelligence officers and they have be quite adapted to their circumstance.


    New allies have even joined them in their endeavors, generally known as the beastfolks. Through the intelligence officers, Himmel understood that these creatures were bipedal anthropomorphic creatures with intelligence rivalling that of humans.


    With this in mind, he concluded that things were far from simple. Perhaps there was a sociopolitical climate he was unaware of that prompted these new species to ally with the United Navy. Though, it doesn''t much to him. The only thing he needed to do was follow orders.


    It didn''t take long before the two arrived at the front double door of the fleet admiral''s office. It was strange that there were no guards around. As the highest authority of the United Navy, he should be heavily protected by several teams of guards.


    Though, Captain Himmel didn''t take this peculiarity into mind and knocked the door. He didn''t dare to open it without the fleet admiral''s permission.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    Captain Tief stood idly beside him while his knocks resounded throughout the lengthy hallway. It didn''t take a moment before a voice was heard from the other side.


    "Come in."


    Hearing such words, Himmel opened the door and the two entered the fleet admiral''s office. They gaze onward and saw a luxurious chair pointing towards the window where the scenic view of a city resided. On it was the fleet admiral of the United Navy, Abraham Shepherd.


    From the words of the intelligence officers, they have heard legends and epics about him. During the first days of the United Navy, he led a small fleet to map the seas surrounding the home ind and fought against a sea monster over 100 meters tall.


    During that moment, he met with a dragon and tamed her with his unrivalled charisma. That dragon had be the feared sword of the United Navy. Only the fleet admiral could order her, and her breath could bring out a stparable to a nuclear explosion.


    There was also a time where he was almost assassinated by enemy magicians. He managed to kill most of them, and a so-called Sovereign emerged, but he survived unscathed against the gods of Humanity.


    In just a few months, the Port of Dawn that started out as a small portpound turned into a city of its own. This signified the elerated growth, and the ability of the fleet admiral to guide it.


    The words of the intelligence officers couldn''t be considered as lies. After all, Captain Himmel was confident that they would have records about what they had spoken to him.


    So, all in all, he felt profound admiration towards the highest of authority in the United Navy.


    Before the young captain could continue thinking, a calm voice escaped the confines of the luxurious chair. It was nonchnt, yet demanded authority and respect to those that heard of it.


    "You must be themanding officers of the UNS Orion Deep and UNS Ceaseless Skies, correct?" It was a mere question, but it felt like amand. They must answer it, or else. Who knows what could happen.


    "We are themanding officers of the spoken vessels, Fleet Admiral." Captain Himmel saluted, and Captain Tief followed suite. The atmosphere in the office was tense as the two captains felt as though they had been sent into a tiger''s den.


    The chair of the fleet admiral slowly turned, revealing a handsome middle-aged man sitting on it. His hair was jet-ck, his eyes as ck as the night before. His shoulders was broad, his skin pale. It was as if they were looking at a handsome young king.


    "Oh, I see... Quite impressive vessels, you have there. I believe I have no need to introduce myself, or should I?" It was a simple question, but the two of them didn''t wish to entertain such a dangerous preposition.


    "We will simply introduce ourselves, Fleet Admiral. We already know of your admirable stature." Captain Tief smoothly stated, which made the young captain somewhat surprised. It looks like the one beside him was also someone that he couldn''t underestimate.


    "If you say so, I guess. I''m interested of your names, so tell me." The one before them spoke in such a nonchnt manner. Yet, authority seems to follow his words and voice. No matter how uncaring and easygoing he acted. Things were always different on the outside.


    "Affirmative, Sir." Captain Tief nodded and nced at Captain Himmel to start their introduction. The young captain raised his eyebrows, but decided to go first as it wasn''t respectful to push their introductions into one another.


    He didn''t want to appear foolish before the fleet admiral.


    "I am Captain Himmel of the UNS Ceaseless Skies. I am themanding officer of the Advanced Hindenburg-ss Airship, awaiting formand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd." Himmel introduced while straightened his back.


    "I am Captain Tief of the UNS Orion Deep. Commanding officer of the Virginia-ss Nuclear Attack Submarine, also awaiting formand, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd." Tief straightened his back and followed the introduction of the young captain.


    "A spectacr introduction. I''m sure the two of you have questions about our current circumstances. And I''m confident that the intelligence officers have already answered those questions. So, I''ll get straight to the point." The fleet admiral smiled at them.


    Though, the two didn''t feel delighted at all with that smile. It felt like a guillotine was being pointed at their necks, threatening to chop it off.


    "I will be giving you your orders. Your first assignment after your summoning. Quite early, yes. But, I''m confident of your capabilities to tread in unknown waters." Abraham looked at the two without breaking eye contact with them.


    In his eyes, they were skilled captains. After all, they were themanding officers of such impressive warships. As such, they should be capable in their expertise, which meant that Abraham had no need to baby them.


    "Which begs the question, are the two of you ready?" The fleet admiral asked the twomanding officers a question that would change their lives. Would they immediately go on a mission after the summoning. Or will they take their time and adapt like everyone else.


    Unlike the others, they didn''t have the luxury of time. It was clear that there was a time limit for the United Navy before the beginning of the final operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. So, only one option emerged in their mind.


    "UNS Ceaseless Skies is ready, Sir!"


    "UNS Orion Deep is ready to submerge, Fleet Admiral."


    The twomanding officers saluted and stated their decision. Abraham proudly smiled at the two since the mission they would be sent to participate wasn''t a particrly hard one. They didn''t need to participate in a battle or two, but they will be extremely close too the enemy.


    "Alright, since the two of you have made your decisions. I''ll start with your briefing."

 Chapter 149: | 149 | Testing New Features

    Abraham stood up from hisfy chair and stretched his arms upward. It has been a while since the two newmanding officers left his office after receiving their orders. Following that, silence intruded once again, which was an unneeded sce.


    ''I should start exploring the current Port of Dawn. After all, a lot of things should have change with the upgrade.'' He quietly thought while taking off his uniform and coat, cing them into their wardrobe. Afterward, he took out his casual clothing and wore them for this asion.


    Abraham neatly straightened his clothes and looked back at his lonesome chair. It held some of his authority as the fleet admiral of the United Navy, but for some reason, it seemed alone. Though, not wanting to be distracted, he threw the thought at the back of his mind.


    "Let''s leave." He muttered to himself and opened the door of his office, stepping into the lengthy hallway shrouded with expensive ornaments. He didn''t expect for his office to have such a grand entrance, perhaps this was why the twomanding officers appeared tense when meeting him.


    ''Let''s just hope that they won''t look at me as though I am a mafia boss of some sort.'' Abraham thought while walking through the hallway. He''d rather not be misunderstood as some godfather of some sort. While somewhat cool, it would be troublesome.


    He arrived in front of the elevator''s metallic doors. He turned his gaze towards the buttons beside it and pressed the arrow pointing downward. Calmly waiting for a few seconds, the metallic doors slid open, revealing a couple of branch personnel working persistently to adapt to the change.


    On their arms were hundreds of files from the reports of various parts of the United Navy. The moment he gazed upon them. It was hard to not feel sorry.


    *Fleet Admiral!* All of them saluted and cried out. They were barely holding on to the papers on their arms, so Abraham nodded with a smile and got in the elevator with them. The metallic doors closed and music started ying on the background.


    Abraham stood straight as despite not being in his uniform, he had a reputation to uphold. The branch personnel were behind him, probably staring at his back. He felt somewhat tense, as it was difficult to pretend to not care while someone gazes at you from behind.


    Nheless, he persevered through. The elevator reached ground floor and the metallic doors slid open. He stepped out of its confines and looked back at the branch personnel with a smile. He then nodded at them and prompted his leave.


    The halls of the branch office building had berger. Although, it wasn''t as busy as before, it still brimmed with people and beastfolk of all kinds. He walked past them, uncaring of their nces, and soon got out of the branch office building.


    Fresh air permeated beside his nose, making him feel somewhat rx. Though, the scene before him was far from calming. The road before the branch office building resembled that of roads from the modern world. There were even cars, pedestriannes, traffic lights, and many more.


    From the looks of it, the Port of Dawn was bing a more vivid picture of the former modern world. And to think he would see such a scene after transmigration. He was confident that he would get stuck with medieval houses and castles after discovering his situation.


    How wrong he was.


    ''At any rate, now that I''m outside, I should test the new features along the way.'' Abraham thought, remembering the features that came with the update. These two features were the Random Sea-Based Assets Spin and the Random Personal-Power Spin.


    "Hmm... I wonder if I have enough Naval Points for this two." He mumbled to himself as he had already spent 4,000 Naval Points from the newly-summoned warships and the Port of Dawn upgrade. The two were expensive, and it might be the same for the new features.


    Though, before thinking about its prices, he should ask about the features through his precious partner. After all, she would probably love to exin these kinds of things to him. At least, he hoped so.


    ''Systema, what are the Random Sea-Based Assets Spin and Random Personal-Power Spin? I''d like to know more.'' Abraham asked through his mind, and momentster, a mechanical bell rang.


    *Ding!*


    | The Random Sea-Based Assets Spin gives the fleet admiral the ability to possibly gain sea-based naval assets such as ports, construction yards, artificial inds, and many more. This spin can give the United Navy the ability to grow beyond one ind. |


    | On the other hand, the Random Personal-Power Spin is something that got updated through the essential needs of the fleet admiral to grow stronger. From this spin, the fleet admiral might be able to gain a random personal power of some sort. It might be useless, or not. There are no limits of how many Personal-Power the fleet admiral can gain. |


    | Would you like to know more? |


    The information presented by Systema was intriguing. The Random Sea-Based Assets Spin practically gave him the ability to have more than one port. This would give the United Navy an excellent opportunity to grow, so this feature was something he was thankful for.


    Then, there was the Random Personal-Power Spin. It was practically a gacha for abilities of some sort. It gives him superpowers, which was overpowered in its own right if not for the fact that it was entirely randomized.


    Nheless, with the Random Personal-Power Spin, Abraham might be able to fight toe to toe against these annoying bastards called the Magus. He wouldn''t need to have Lace guarding him 24/7, which would be unfortunate, in all honesty.


    ''But the Random Personal-Power is something I need. I can''t keep relying to her forever. She needs time to rest, and I also want to protect her myself.'' Abraham became determined in his heart.


    Even though he wanted to get another port of some sort, he needed to have a solid ability that he could use to defend himself with. Otherwise, he might as well be the helpless damsel in fantasy fairytales sang to children at night.


    With this in mind, Abraham closed his eyelids while walking through the sidewalk and asked his partner the most important question of all. ''Systema, what is the price?'' It was a simple question that would decide everything.


    A mechanical bell soon rang inside his mind followed by a feminine monotone voice.


    *Ding!*


    | The cost of a single Random Sea-Based Assets Spin is 2,000 Naval Points, Fleet Admiral! Simultaneously, the cost of one Random Personal-Power Spin is 10,000 Naval Points. |


    Upon hearing the monotone exnation of Systema, Abraham didn''t know what to feel. Should he be disappointed? Saddened? He stopped moving as he turned his head upward. A single tear fell from his eyes since he had realized that he was about to start grinding.


    Though, it was difficult to notin. Why was the Random Personal-Power Spin much more expensive than the other features? The power he could gain from it might not actually be that useful, so why so expensive?


    He wanted to understand the reasons.


    But before he could question Systema, her monotone voice already resounded inside his head.


    | The Random Personal-Power is something that cannot be taken or destroyed. It will be permanently embedded to the body and soul of the Fleet Admiral. As such, its cost for acquirement is high. |


    The logic of the Naval Gacha System was pretty simple. Unlike the powerful and excellent assets or warships of the random spins, the Personal-Power couldn''t be destroyed by anyone or anything. Even if a Sovereign appeared in front of him, they wouldn''t be able to take it away from him.


    In even more simpler terms, the material was cheaper than the immaterial.


    Hearing the exnation of his precious partner, Abraham decided to stop hisints about the excessive price of the Random Personal-Power Spin. Fortunately, however, Systema''s following words made it even more worth it.


    | While the Random Personal-Power Spin ispletely randomized. The Fleet Admiral can be assured that the Personal-Power he would received from it would be far from powerless. The System provides the price it gives. |


    With this, Abraham felt relieved and kept walking through the sidewalk with a peaceful state of mind. Instead of wasting his thoughts on something he couldn''t attain, it was time to turn his attention to the ones that he could acquire.


    He turned his thoughts to the Random Sea-Based Assets Spin. ording to Systema, it could give him ports, construction yards, artificial inds, and many more. It was pretty interesting, especially about it giving him ports.


    Abraham needed more ports to facilitate and expand the logistics of the United Navy. After all, the operations of the sea region of Terra couldn''t be handled by one single ind. He understood that they have to expand to increase their efficiency as an organization.


    ''The price is 2,000 Naval Points... Quite expensive, but manageable.'' He thought while remembering the cost of the Random Sea-Based Assets Spin. The price was something that he could handle. It wasn''t as expensive as the Random Personal-Power Spin, which was the wrong standards topare his wealth on.


    Nheless, Abraham didn''t feel the need to hesitate. Although 2,000 Naval Points would be lost for something unknown, that was always how the Naval Gacha System was yed. He had to rely on his luck whether he could get something useful or not.


    Though...


    ''Please give me a port.''


    It was hard to not beg before the RNG.

 Chapter 150: | 150 | A What?

    Standing within the sidewalk of a suburban neighborhood, Abraham nced at the direction of his home. It was the same as before, but it was not like he desired for it to change. His home was best as it was now, he wouldn''t want it to change for something else.


    ''I hope my things were left untouched by the upgrade.'' He quietly thought while walking towards his house. It didn''t take long for him to arrive before his front door. He looked at the intricate design and smiled.


    Working in his office for hours had made him forget the pleasantness of his home. It made him wonder when he and Lace would spend their time together in their home once again. Though, sadly... Such times were far from reachable. As long as the Colonial Dominion of Terra existed.


    Abraham''s smile faded as he opened the door. Silence and calm shrouded the entirety of his being, bringing forth an unnatural sce. If possible, he would like to have his home to be livelier than ever before. ''How satisfying would that be.''


    He closed the front door of his house and opened its interior lights. He nced at the kitchen and remembered the talk he and Lace had. It brought them closer to one another and confess their love.


    ''*Sigh...* It hasn''t been that long. Why am I already feeling nostalgia?'' Abraham shook his head and took off his shoes before stepping into its hardwood floor. In his former life, he never had a house of his own. Only a single room that was as dirty as andfill.


    So, having one for his own was something he appreciated. That was why he always maintained the clean state of this house. After all, it was his home.


    He stretched his limbs and sat on the sofa. He gazed forward seeing a 60-inch OLED television before him. He never really had a chance to use a tv since his transmigration since he had been too focused with his duties as the fleet admiral.


    But... It wasn''t like he didn''t have jobs to do at the moment. There were still several things he needed to do because of the upgraded Port of Dawn. Oh, why was he giving himself more jobs to do? He shouldn''t have been too hasty with the upgrade.


    "It''s already toote regretting it. What''s done, had already been done." He mumbled to himself, picking up the remote along the way. He stared at it for a second and thought. ''I wonder what kind of channels we have. It should only be news channels, right?''


    ''After all, the television-side of the Port of Dawn shouldn''t be that developed. I haven''t even heard of it until now.'' Abraham first wondered about the channels in the TV then realized about the broadcasting stations rted to it.


    He hade to know that he was entirely ignorant about them. But it might also be because he hadn''t given them much attention as their importance didn''t resonate with him. Though... A report or two might change that.


    Abraham turned on the television and saw a cartoon ying in the television. It was a cartoon about some cat and two cockroaches. Interesting, to say the least. He remembered seeing this cartoon when he was a child, but perhaps he had forgotten somethings about it.


    After all, he was confident that there were three cockroaches in the kitchen.


    ''Wait, why am I even thinking about this?'' He shook his head and got rid of such thoughtless questions. He changed the channel in front of him and finally, a news channel came up.


    24 Hours, eh? Interesting name. Abraham wondered if the channel was open for an entire 24 hours reporting news. That sounds impossible without repeating a news or two during the broadcast. So, it might be them reporting about the news thisst 24 hours.


    "When did we get a news channel in the Port of Dawn? I haven''t heard much about this? Though, it makes sense as our poption had increased to over 30,000 when all of our popce are included." Abraham raised his eyebrows, but decided to ept it as it was.


    *Our next news for today is the summoning of two new warships under the grand fleet of the United Navy. These mighty vessels are the UNS Orion Deep, a Nuclear Attack Submarine. And, UNS Ceaseless Skies, an Advanced Air Ship!*


    *With them in our fleet, the citizens of the United Navy can expect to sleep peaceful nights for their presences guarantees safety and protection to the Port of Dawn. The Fleet Admiral has specifically summoned them as he understands that our greatest weaknesses are the depths and the heavens.*


    *As expected of his unparalleled wisdom, let us start with another marathon about his legends in the sea-*


    Abraham turned off the television and sighed. While the news were great, why did it start talking about him all of a sudden? It was difficult to get use when some person discusses about him as though he was some kind of celebrity of some sort.


    "At any rate, I should start the Random Spin." His nonchnt gaze became determined as he didn''t want to waste more time thinking about it. It was time to spin for his first Sea-Based Asset other than the Port of Dawn.


    "I hope that it would be a port. This would significantly expand the capabilities, logistics, and influence of the United Navy." Abraham muttered to himself while closing his eyelids. He took a deep breath and rxed his head onto the sofa.


    ''Systema, purchase a Random Sea-Based Assets Spin for me, please.'' After clearing his thoughts, he swiftly asked through his mind. A mechanical bell bellowed and a monotone voice followed it.


    *Ding!*


    | Purchasing Random Sea-Based Assets Spin! |


    Out of nowhere, a gacha roulette appeared in front of him. It gleamed with golden radiance and levitated before his body. A lever was beside it as if asking him to pull.


    Abraham gulped as this was his first time actually pulling a lever from a gacha roulette. It made him nervous for some reason. It felt as if he really was gambling in some casino that was the Naval Gacha System.


    He ced his hands on the lever and felt its smoothness. He gripped it tightly and pulled as hard as he could. Even though it didn''t affect his reward, or luck for that matter. It still sent a message about how this spin mattered to him.


    ''I hope that it would be useful. Please give me a port. I don''t care if its trash, just give me a port.'' Abraham thought since ports could be upgraded. It would be easy to make itpletely operational in a short period of time.


    The gacha roulette began trembling as the names inside it rapidly spun with untamed speed. Abraham gazed at it, his attention fully enraptured by its blurry and passing names. He hoped for something good. A port. It was all what he needed.


    Abraham watched as the gacha roulette kept spinning in front of him. He stared at it with scrutiny, not wanting to take his eyes off it. After all, who knows what could happen. He didn''t dare to test it. At the very least, he would know what he would get in its conclusion.


    It didn''t take long before the gacha roulette slowed down. There was no notification, it simply slowly stopped. It was rather strange, but it might have been because the Random Sea-Based Asset Spin was entirely different from the Random Naval Spin.


    Abraham squinted his eyes, looking at the name left behind by the rapid spinning of the roulette. A mechanical bell rang inside his mind, while a notification followed.


    *Ding!*


    | Congrattions, You have received Level 3 Construction Yard! |


    "A what?" Abraham found himself confused. His expectations were entirely pointed at the appearance of a port, which he could use to expand the reach of the United Navy farther into the sea. He didn''t expect for something else to appear.


    ''Wait, am I bing spoiled with the system?'' He wondered since he had gotten all the things he desired from the gacha. Though, perhaps this might not be as bad as he had expected. After all, the things that the Naval Gacha System gives were always far from useless.


    However, to understand its usefulness, Abraham needed more information. So he decided to rely on his precious partner, who might be able to exin the Sea-Based Asset he had gained from the spin.


    ''Systema, what does a Construction Yard do? Give me detailed exnation about it.'' He questioned, which Systema promptly replied with her monotone voice.


    | Fleet Admiral, the Construction Yard is a vital part of the United Navy''s growth and expansion. It is connected to one thing, and that is the warships. With the Construction Yard, the Fleet Admiral will be able to build his own warships with a quarter of the price in the Naval Store. |


    Hearing the exnation of Systema, Abraham felt his doubts cleansed. The edges of his lips immediately rose as he had unexpectedly gotten a treasure from random spin. He didn''t think he would be this lucky.


    "A level 3, at that? Hehehehe, it seems that the end of this conflict is near." He was beyond satisfied from the reward he had received from the system. A Construction Yard would guarantee the growth of his fleet without the expensiveness of the Naval Store.


    With it around, there was only one way for the United Navy.


    And that was towards the apex of the sea.

 Chapter 151: | 151 | Disagreements in Eisenberg

    In the capital ind of the archipgo colony, Eisenberg, the colonial military has long risen its white g after the Storm Fleet of the United Navy bombarded each and every one of its military assets along with government structures.


    Despite the riddling runic shielding scattered throughout their capital, they were no-match against the precision airstrikes operated by the F35s under the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. It was no wonder their prompted a surrender instead of fruitlessly sacrificing their men.


    The two warships of the Storm Fleet, UNS Light Bringer and UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, found itself near ashore of the devastated port of the capital ind. They were currently managing the surrender of the colony and to assure no chaos befalls over the ind.


    With them were the Liberation Front who were the ones fighting inside the ind. Through them, the United Navy managed to give internal pressure that aided the decision of the remaining generals to surrender to the fleet.


    Otherwise, the colonial military would have tried to buckle in despite the heavy bombardment they were sustaining from the skies.


    Though, things weren''t going smoothly as expected. The dealings of how war criminals get treated became an issue amongst the liberators of Eisenberg. It was a disagreement between the United Navy and the Liberation Front.


    Somewhere in the central square of the ruined city, two sides met in a massive tent separated by a side of a table. The one leading the processing efforts of the United Navy was none other than Captain Lux. On the other hand, Hermona sat with the tribe leaders beside her.


    She had managed to acquire the assistance of five tribes, which already included the Leo, Deerfolk and Tigris Tribe. Besides them, there was the Crok and Rattus Tribe. They required an extensive effort to attain, much more than the former tribes.


    Her rtionship between the two of them wasn''t also extremely good whenpared to the first three.


    "I have heard about some disagreement regarding how prisoners of war are dealt." Captain Lux squinted his eyes and gazed at the beastfolks from the other side. "I''d like to hear about it."


    Hermona was about to respond to the captain, but before she could do so, the Rat Chief of the Rattus Tribe had already opened his mouth, presenting his disagreement. "The imprisoned humans should belong to us, beastfolk tribes."


    "We have fought against them for so long. Reparations are needed for what they had done to us." The furry guy exined to Captain Lux, who merely raised his eyebrows and asked. "And what doyou want to do with them?"


    "What we want from them is simple. We want them to be our ves for their remaining lifetime." The Rat Chief answered with confidence, not understanding the troubles that came with his words. But it seems that he wasn''t the only one who thought of using human ves.


    "We, of the Crok Tribe, have the same thoughts. For the betterment of our tribe, we need human ves and theirbor to expand ournd. For the price of this war, I believe that we have the right to keep them as ours." The Crok Chief appears to be supporting the furry chief.


    Hermona furrowed her eyebrows while Leonidas and Tora merely lowered their heads. They understood the thoughts going through their leader''s mind. They understood the anger about to erupt from her heart.


    Captain Lux nodded after hearing their exnation as though he was seriously thinking about it. But, he turned his gaze towards Hermona and questioned her. "As the leader of the Liberation Front, do you have the same thoughts?"


    It was a simple question, but it weighed on her deeply.


    The Liberation Front had just formed, and her answer would determine its future. Would she throw aside her principles for the continuation of the front? Or will she destroy such a dirty organization herself? The answer was already clear.


    "No, don''t lump me with these idiots." Hermona shook her head and red at the tribe leaders beside her. A nerve emerged on her forehead as she mmed her fist on the table. "The archipgo just got liberated, and you already want ves?"


    "Do you want to be one again?" It sounded like a threat, but it wasn''t. Liberation only came when the concept of very gets thrown into the caldera of a volcano where it belongs. If very hadn''t disappeared with the liberation, it simply meant that no one got liberated to begin with.


    The Crok Chief seemed to take her words as a threat from a human, so heshed out at her. "Don''t talk to me with such insolent tone, girl. We only epted y-."


    "You only epted because you knew you couldn''t do it alone." Leonidas interrupted his words and coldly gazed at the Crok Chief. "Don''t think highly of yourself, you''re talking to the leader of the rebellion. She isn''t just a girl, she is the liberator."


    "While we kept our heads bowed at the colonist, she immediately killed one and set the torch of freedom for the rest of us. Such thing was something you couldn''t do. None of us could do it. So, don''t consider yourself as the same level as her!" Leonidas yelled at the Crok Chief.


    "For the first time in my life, I agree with a Leo." Tora looked at the Crock Chief and Rat Chief before sighing. "The terms between the United Navy and the Liberation Front isn''t set up by the two of you. Remember that the leader of the rebellion is Hermona. Nothing more, nothing less."


    "We don''t need your dirty politics in the table. Just follow her orders." Tora stated at the two, who clenched their teeth in anger. They had never faced this much disgrace. It made them angry at the root cause of it.


    "There''s no used getting angry about it. If there''s something you want to say to me, say it. We can settle in this table." Hermona remarked while ring at the two tribe leaders. She couldn''t believe that these two were already trying to reinstate very into the archipgo.


    The gall.


    "But let me remind you of one thing. Do you know what we do with envers? The Liberation Front isn''t merely a freedom-fighting group for the beastfolks, but a front for every liberation. The moment a beastfolk tribe enves another."


    "They will meet the same fate as the colonist of this ind." She dered, making Captain Lux smile and apuse at the speech of the youngdy before him. It seems that rumors didn''t lie. She really had the makings of a rebel leader.


    "As expected of the leader of the Liberation Front, your authority is impable." He remarked while pping. It was hard to not give apuse, and there was no reason not to.


    "Eh?" Hermona blushed as she didn''t expect for the stern old man to apud her out of nowhere. Tora and Leonidas also chuckled, giving their remarks. "As expected of the leader!" "I didn''t pick the wrong person."


    "At any rate, what you said is true, Hermona." Captain Lux stopped pping and affirmed. "The United Navy cannot simply reinstate very into thends it has liberated. Please do not misunderstand. We aren''t liberating others for them to be envers."


    "That does not stand with the United Navy''s code of conduct."


    "If human or beastfolk trafficking resides in the sea of the United Navy, we will destroy it without a doubt. Just like how we destroyed the colonists of the Colonial Dominion of Terra." Captain Lux looked at the two tribe leaders, who shivered from his gaze.


    "I don''t want to return to the archipgo to capture criminals of the United Navy. That would be unfortunate don''t you think?" Captain Lux calmly uttered towards the two. They nodded at him in agreement as they realized that it was a warning for them.


    "Regardless... The prisoners of war will be sent to the Port of Dawn for processing. The scattered operations had already ended, and the only one that remains is the Colonial Dominion of Terra." He remarked, making Hermona raise her eyebrows in shock.


    "Does that mean you also attacked all of the major colonies in the sea region?" She asked as she found it hard to believe what she was hearing.


    "Yes, the operation in this archipgo is part of many more. The fleet of the United Navy is farrger than you have imagined. I have heard that over ten thousand ves were liberated in the southern colony." Captain Lux answered since he found no reason to hide it from an ally.


    "I-I see... I just thought we would be colony hopping, destroying them one by one." Hermona uttered, and her words had some truth in it. If the United Navy really wanted the safest route, they could attack the colonies one by one.


    This would help them preserve most of their naval power without a problem. But such a path was far from efficient, and the more time they wasted the more variables would emerged. It simply wasn''t worth it.


    "Please don''t misunderstand, Hermona. The war is far from over. As long as the Colonial Dominion of Terra stands, it will never end." Captain Lux rified as their goal wasn''t merely the liberation of ves. It was to liberate the entirety of the sea region.


    "But don''t worry much, for the wisdom of the fleet admiral is unending. His strategies goes far beyond our understanding. It will not take long before the Colonial Dominion sinks to the abyssal depths of this sea." Out of nowhere, he began spouting the most faithful words in the United Navy.

 Chapter 152: | 152 | A Dragon Learning Magicraft

    Somewhere in the ind of Crescere, Abraham gazed upon Lace who stood in the middle of an empty grasnd with her eyelids closed. In front of her was the Director of the R&D Department, who had begun her training and learning for the art of magicraft.


    "I can''t believe she dragged me with her." He quietly grumbled while staring at the beautiful dragoness shrouded in silence. Though, it''s not like he could fault her. After all, she simply wants him to be around when her guard was down.


    ''She rarely lower her guard down. The only time I remember her lowering it was when...'' A tint of crimson red flushed on his cheeks, prompting him to shake his head, ridding himself of such thoughts.


    At any rate, Abraham was the only one that Lace trusted to lower her guard around. And that trust wasn''t to be underestimated. After all, she had just been betrayed by those she trusted and her organization, the Revolting Tide.


    With this in mind, although he was a bit annoyed, he can''t get himself to have a grudge against her. And to be fair, it was a boyfriend''s duty to guard his girlfriend when she has something that required her entire attention to do.


    "Lady Lace, remember the runguage I have taught to you and the framework of the spell circle, as to how their articte with one another." The Director reminded to the focused dragoness, who nodded her head in understanding.


    She pointed her palms forward and gathered mana in the air. In mere moments, a spell circle materialized and sparked before her presence. But unlike the usual spell circles, it didn''t have the runic engravements which supported the spell.


    "Good, follow themand syntax I have given you with the runguage." The Director uttered as he nned to guide thedy during the entire process. Fortunately, the spell they had chosen to learn was simple.


    "Okay," Lace imagined the runicmand syntax engraved onto the spell circle she had materialized in the air. Her imagination was clear and cutthroat, leaving no room for error. It was embedded into her mind, proving the length of her concentration.


    A few seconds passed by as multiple engravings appeared inside the spell circle before her. It took some time toplete, but it would have been the fastest first time casting of a spell. After all, it would usually take time for others to create a solid mental image of the spell.


    Seeing the creation of the spell, the Director''s admiration to the dragoness grew higher. "As expected of Lady Lace, the sword of the Fleet Admiral. Her talent knows no bounds."


    "Lady Lace, release the spell towards that tree line." The Director pointed at some direction in the forest, which she immediately caught despite her closed eyelids. She changed the trajectory of the spell and released it with proficiency.


    Lace finally opened her eyelids and muttered under her breath. "Fireball." At that moment, the spell circle shone with unparalleled brilliance and sted out a fireball from its runic engravements. However... There was a great differencepared to the normal casted fireball of the Magus.


    Her fireball was much morerger, akin to a beam of fiery mes.


    *ROARR!!!* The beam of mes roared into the forest burning everything in its path. It left behind trails of ashes and broken trunks, bringing about destruction in its wake. The beam soonnded to where it was directed, and what followed was...


    Radiance far brighter than ever before. It was akin to thergest shbang being dropped in the middle of the forest. And after it was the shockwave.


    *BOOM!!!*


    Some trees were uprooted from the ground with branches flung off into the distance. Leaves departed from where they came, scattering away with the shockwave. It reached far and wide, rivalling that of ten-ton explosion.


    Dust shrouded the surroundings along with surging winds.


    The Directorid on the ground with amazement stered on his face. His limbs, body, and bone seem to shiver from the power of the spell. It was grandiose, especially when it didn''t require anyone a weapon.


    This was practically knowledge turned into power.


    On the other hand, Abraham stood against the shockwave without a problem and merely whistled from the power of his lover''s spell. He turned his gaze at her and remarked. "Lace, can''t you contain the power of your spell? That almost killed me, you know?"


    Lace, who observed the effects of her spell, chuckled at the remarks of Abraham. "A bit too calm for someone who was almost killing, don''t you think?"


    "Well, I don''t think I can die with you around, so there''s that." Abraham sighed as he didn''t think he would die with Lace beside him even if he wanted to. Ah... The fate of a dragon''s lover. There was no used in regretting it now.


    After all, he had promised to be with her forever. And he shall do so without a problem.


    "But I guess that was my fault. I forgot to control my mana input when casting the spell. I splurged more mana than expected, creating the explosion you see now. Though, I didn''t think that giving it such low mana would bring that much of an explosion."


    Lace raised her eyebrows while staring at the crater in the distance. Her fireball had gone far beyond her expectations. The mana she had given it was already low. To think that much mana would have a great effect.


    "Maybe your standards of low is different from normal. After all, a percent of a billion is different from a percent of a thousand." Abrahammented, and he might have been correct with his words. Even though Lace gave it her lowest possible mana, she was still a dragon.


    Dragons were the highest creatures that nature could conjure. Other than the so-called Sovereigns, or Gods. They were the strongest beings in the foreign world. With Lace being one, and an evolved dragon at that, the effects of her magic should have been expected.


    "I guess you are right. I should start lowering it below .01 percent. It seems that a percent of a percent is still too powerful for the forest." Lace remarked, causing Abraham to feel a bit petrified. That explosion was below a percent? A percent of a percent.


    ''I must not anger her if I wish for a long life.'' He quietly thought, trying to forged this rule into his heart. It would be good if he remembered such words every now and then. After all, he didn''t want to die yet.


    ''But it makes me wonder how I hadn''t died from my nightly adventures with her.'' Abraham blushed since his thoughts appeared to always recollect the memories of their night together. It might have been the best moment in his life, so it was hard to stop thinking about it.


    Though, he soon regained control of himself and thought. ''Why are you horny, Abraham! Control yourse-'' But his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Lace staring at him with a smirk stered on her face.


    She slowly made suggestive movements with her hands as if grabbing something and ying with it. Abraham couldn''t help but gulp since he was about to lose himself. However, he immediately realized that she was ying with him after seeing her chuckling at him.


    ''I can''t believe this. Damn you, dragon! Wait till I get my hands on you.'' Abraham was ying kind now. It was time to go in an offensive. But the Director was still near them, so the attack had to be held off until the two of them were alone.


    Even so, he wasn''t nning in giving up. He shall get his revenge.


    *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*


    The Director began coughing while standing up. He looked at Lace with amazement and uttered. "I thought that it would take time for you to get a hang of it. It seems that we can immediately start with creating magical artifacts. However, since I have already taken your time for this day."


    "I will hold off the magic training for now. Let us end our session." The Director stated while patting dusts off his clothes. He needed to change his strategy for their magicraft sessions now that he had known the extraordinary talent of the dragoness.


    "Alright, I''ll see you next time." Lace merely nodded and didn''t think much of his words. Though, she was somewhat surprised by how easy magicraft was. Perhaps, she might be something like a Sovereign on her own through her talent.


    "I''ll take my leave now, Fleet Admiral." The Director saluted to Abraham and walked into the distance, nning to return to the Port of Dawn on his own. After all, the fleet admiral and the dragoness had their ns.


    ''Hmm... I wonder when I will meet the heir of the United Navy.'' He thought while disappearing into the shrubs of the forest that surrounded them.


    Meanwhile, Abraham and Lace were left alone, silence shrouding them. She gazed at Abraham and wondered if he was angry with her teasing. But unexpectedly, he stepped closer to her and hugged her tightly in his arms.


    Lace was surprised by the swift affection of the fleet admiral. Tint of crimson red up on her cheeks as she found herself unable to be free from his hug. It was as though her body didn''t want to leave such a situation.


    Abraham ced his lips beside Lace''s ears and nibbled it before whispering softly. "Lace, did you have fun teasing me? Have I failed to remind you that a man has his limits?"


    "Eh?" Lace felt confused, but felt her body getting off the ground. Out of nowhere, Abraham carried her in a princess position and began running towards the Port of Dawn at full throttle.


    "Heh... Let''s go home, my dragoness!"

 Chapter 153: | 153 | Desire(R18)

    *m!*


    In the fleet admiral''s office, Lace found herself trapped between a beast and a wall. The edges of her lips rose as she smirked and remarked. "Here I thought you''ll be ''eating'' me in your house. I didn''t think you were courageous enough to bring me to your office."


    Abraham turned his gaze slightly downwards and responded. "It can''t be help. Its the weekends, there are bound to be many people in my neighborhood." Lace''s smirk made his heart thump in excitement. How long he had controlled himself from this moment.


    "Oh? Just when I thought you wanted to try it in the of-" Before Lace could continue speaking, Abraham immediately lowered his head and kisses her supple lips. He held her hands tightly and made them wide open. He was like a beast devouring his prey.


    For some reason, the dragoness couldn''t uncover the strength to resist his assault. The atmosphere in the office was dimmed, perfect for what was about toe.


    Lace felt her tongue ravaged by the intruding Abraham. Their saliva tangled and blended along with their unique and inherent taste. She felt warmth rising from her abdomen as her heart pounded with exhration.


    This was the first she was dominated by someone. She hated it yet, it gave her excitement. Especially when it was her lover taking control of her body. Perhaps this was why her body was giving up resistance. It wasn''t taking orders from her mind, but her heart.


    Abraham broke off their intense kissing session and looked at Lace''s golden eyes. It was beautiful, like a lustrous golden gemstone. It was only his, he wanted it to be only his.


    He breathed out and whispered beside her ears causing her to slightly shiver. "You shouldn''t have tested my patience, Lace. You''re ying a dangerous game."


    Lace panted with a crimson tint all over her cheeks. She looked defiantly at the beast that was trying to devour her and teased. "I''m a lover for dangerous games, Abraham. Do you think you can reel me in?"


    It was a direct challenge, and Abraham didn''t n in backing out.


    "Eh?" Abraham slowly opened her buttons, unravelling her chest covered in ck lingerie. She didn''t expect him to be straightforward. She wanted to take control of the situation, but found no strength to do so.


    She could only watch as Abraham got nearer to her pearly white skin. Her breathing turned ragged while his lips touched her chest, making her entire body shiver in delight.


    "Ah~ Abraham..." She moaned, calling out his name while grabbing his hair. Abraham began yfully biting bits of her skin. He also teased her nipples, which was something he had learned during their first fantastic adventure in the night.


    "We aren''t done yet." Abraham grinned and immediately carried her over the table. Sheid over on top of its smooth surface, breathing in and out with rxing pleasure. She turned her gaze towards him, and noticing him lowering his head.


    "A-Abraham?"


    It was at this moment... She saw her naked bottom. The only ones separating her skin and Abraham''s was a piece of ck lingerie. She didn''t know what to expect, and it felt thrilling.


    "You''re beautiful, Lace..." Abraham expressed with pure honesty. Even though it didn''t matter if he kept saying it over and over again, it was hard not to. In his eyes, Lace was as beautiful as shecould get. It felt as though she was the best the world could give to him.


    Lace felt warmth after hearing his words. Her cheeks blushed ever more while she mumbled. "W-What are you saying~ I already kno-" But her mumble turned awry as she felt a tongue intruding her pussy.


    "Ah~ Abraham~" Lace closed her thighs tightly and felt his head blocking it. Her abdomen and legs shivered in pleasure, losing strength by the moment. Abraham didn''t give mercy and kept his pace, intending to give her an orgasm.


    Lace held his hair with her quivering fingers, pleasure slowly eroding her mind. Out of nowhere, she pulled him deeper, which made him work even harder. He tried exploring every part of her, and each movement of his tongue made her shudder in delight.


    "Ah~" It didn''t take long for the dragoness to reached the apex of her pleasure. Her body orgasmed, causing it to slightly tremble. Abraham stood up and watched the panting dragon. Her body waspletely covered in sweat and sensual scent.


    But despite her trembling body, her golden eyes gazed at Abraham while she uttered. "I can''t believe you, Abraham... You assaulted my pussy out of nowhere. But are you already giving up? I''m still far from broken." She smirked at him, as if saying that she was far from done.


    "Oh? It is still far from over, Lace." Abraham unzipped his pants, and his fully-erect dragon was freed from its shackles. Lace nced at it while panting, remembering the time when it devoured her body.


    "I will be spending my time with you until the end." He whispered to her ears and slowly pushed his hips onward. Lace felt a rod entering her body, making her moaned. "Ah~" On the other hand, Abraham grunted as the inviting yet tight pussy of the dragoness was devouring him.


    The warmth, hot mess of an inside, like before, bestowed him with too much pleasure. He nced at the moaning Lace and felt her cuteness. He wanted to protect it, make it only for him to see. No, it must be something only he could see. He vowed deep inside his heart.


    "L-Lace... You''re too cute!" Abraham cried out and began pumping his rod inward and outward. "W-What a-re you saying~" Lace furiously blushed and was confused, but the pleasure was overriding her rationality, making her only give it attention.


    "Ah~ Abraham~ Ah~" Lace hugged him tightly as he kept prating through her womb. Each entry was a wave for pleasure, and he was like an unending piston of surging pleasure. She could only hold his body tightly as it took over her mind.


    "Ah~ P-please don''t let me go~" Lace whispered while Abraham savagely kissed her supple lips. Their tongue intertwined while their bodies were deeply connected. Another orgasm was about toe, and it was Abraham''s.


    Lace felt his penis shake inside her and her legs instinctively moved, locking him in and pulling him deeper. Noticing the dragoness''s legs behind him, Abraham knew that he could only move onward. So, he kept moving his lips while they fiercely kissed.


    She clenched her fingers to his shoulders and also felt her orgasming. Abraham wasn''t bothered by the pain as it was something she would instinctively do when she was about to reach her climax. It was a clear signal.


    "Lace!" Abraham roared and ejacted his semen deep into her womb. His seemingly unending vitality was clearly draining from his body, making him wonder if his dragoness was a subus in disguise.


    Afterpletely pumping his seed into her, he slowly took out his rod from her pussy and felt exhausted. He should have been stronger than before, but having such activities with the dragoness seems exhausting for him.


    Abraham nced at her pussy and noticed his cum dripping out. It looks like the dragoness was unconscious, prompting him to feel as though he had finally achieved victory. The man had conquered the dragon.


    Sadly, however, it was a false victory, for the dragon''s vitality rivalled that of the earth. Unrivalled and Vast.


    "It''s too early to celebrate, Abraham." Lace smirked while controlling her breathing. She looked at her pussy, ravaged by his rod and felt pride. "Do you think you could defeat me so easily? You''re to early to announce your victory."


    "W-what?" Abraham felt fear in his heart since the dragoness appeared to be unaffected by their wild session. After working so hard, in the end, it was fruitless against the stamina and vitality of a dragon.


    "We are far from done, Abraham. You must know the consequences for bringing me such pleasure. I can be difficult when I lose control of myself." Lace remarked as her golden eyes glowed with domination. The dragoness was turned on.


    Which meant that it was far from over.


    Lace swiftly crossed her legs onto Abraham''s waist and pulled him into her. Abraham was astounded and tried surrendering to her. "Lace, you win. I concede my defe-" He felt his pale finger over his lips as though halting her from speaking.


    "A man never surrenders, Abraham. Aren''t you a man?" Questioning his manhood was something Abraham would never let go. Determination gleamed radiantly inside his heart as he pulled her waist and began round two.


    "Abraham is my man~ Ah~ You can never stop until I get defeated~" Lace felt pleasure consuming her mind once again. It was addicting as his penis goes in and out of her womb. She wondered if she could force Abraham to have sex with her forever.


    A quite dangerous thought.


    She ced her hands over his shoulder and went for an upright position. She gazed directly at Abraham''s jet ck irises and smirked before slightly biting her lips. Blood dripped from her supple lips, almost causing the middle-aged man to stop.


    But before he could do so, she kissed him and entangled his tongue with hers. Her dragon blood dripped into his tongue, reminding him of its unending sweetness. It was addicting, and it also revitalized his almost exhausted body.


    His rod became even more erected, which Lace felt inside her womb.


    "Ah~ With my blood, your stamina will never truly end, Abraham." She whispered into his ears, breathless as the pleasure seeped into her body. Abraham fell directly into her trapped. The dragoness had him in-between her fingers. A single thought flew out of his mind.


    ''I have challenged the final boss.''

 Chapter 154: | 154 | An Intelligence Report

    In the hallway leading to the fleet admiral''s office, amidst the calm and silence, a group of intelligence officers walked through it with file reports between their arms and chest. Serious expressions found itself stered on their faces signifying their urgent matter.


    Even though it was the weekend where almost everyone was not working, an intelligence report about their adversary must be made. So, they nned to report to the fleet admiral of the United Navy about the pressing matters of the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    It didn''t take long before they arrived in front of the fleet admiral''s office. All of them stopped moving and took a deep breath. Regardless the rming state of the situation, they were about to meet the fleet admiral, the highest authority of the United Navy.


    It was hard to not get nervous when nning to meet him.


    One of the intelligence officers stepped forward and knocked onto the door of the fleet admiral''s office. *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* Each knock resounded throughout the hallway as if announcing their presence. No matter how much they had done such thing. It was difficult to get used to it.


    The intelligence officers calmly waited, and it didn''t take long before a response from their fleet admiral came. "Get in." Hearing his words, they swiftly opened the door and were met with the sight of the legendary dragon standing behind the fleet admiral, observing at the city outside.


    "What are you doing in the branch building? Shouldn''t all of you be in your houses, spending time on your own in the weekends?" Abraham questioned with raised eyebrows. He crossed his arms as their unexpected intrusion into his office didn''t do him good.


    His visitors noticed his grave expression and crossed arms. They noticed that he wasn''t in the good mood, and it seems that their visit had made it worse. Though, the intelligence officers saluted while one of them stepped forward.


    "We are here for an urgent report, Fleet Admiral. It wasn''t something that we could hold on as it covers intelligence about our territories and the movements of the Colonial Dominion of Terra." The intelligence officer stated their reasons to the fleet admiral, making him furrow his eyebrows.


    Although he was dissatisfied by their intrusion, he understood that he mustn''t be selfish. The intelligence officers were simply doing their job, and besides... It appears that something troublesome had emerged.


    With this in mind, Abraham sighed and looked at the intelligence officers directly in the eyes, losing his annoyance in the process. "All of you have worked hard! Tell me everything you know! Don''t leave a single detail."


    ""Affirmative!!!"" All of them bowed and began reporting one by one. They eloquently reported the reports written in their files and summarized it as to not waste more of the fleet admiral''s time. Abraham calmly listened to each of their reports, understanding their depth.


    The first report was mainly about the repairs of the damaged frigates. As expected, most of them were repaired without much of a problem, but there were issues with the critically-damaged ones. Repairing them required an actual dockyard as the hull of these frigates were too damaged.


    There were two critically-damaged frigates, which took a hit into the United Navy''s naval power. It was a problem that needed to be solve as quick as possible. After all, the war between the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion of Terra hadn''t ended yet.


    All of their forces must be up and operational.


    The second report was about the archipgo colony. It seems that the Liberation Front and the United Navy managing the aftermath had its disagreements. Fortunately, it was settled with Hermona taking control of the tribe leaders'' disagreements.


    Though, it was surprising that the beastfolks wanted to have ves of their own. Naturally, Abraham would have never agreed with such reparations. It was a foolish one, and makes them a hypocrite. The covenants of the United Navy couldn''t be so easily trampled.


    The third report was intelligence regarding the movements of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It seems that they have been heavily fortifying their ind. Magus were scattering runic spells, preparing for the uing final battle.


    ording to the information sent by the scouts and spies inside the ind, the colony was nning to create a trap for the dragoness, practically separating her away from the battle. This would be problematic as the firepower of the United Navy would be halved.


    Abraham considered this a top issue, but it was good that they became aware of it. At least, they could also make their preparations against whatever trap the Magus Tower was conjuring in their ind.


    But the final report was the most problematic amongst the urgent reports uttered by the intelligence officers. He didn''t think that they would emerge this early.


    The fourth, or final report, was about the situation in the southern colony. There was a reason why Abraham sent the Special-Response Unit as the main force of the liberation party in the south. It was because the south was considered as the ve trade hub of the sea region.


    Even more so than the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    If he had sent human military forces into the ind, the freed ves would probably, or perhaps immediately start a revolt. After all, they were finally given a chance to be free. They wouldn''t let another human group dictate them.


    Abraham sent the SRU to lessened the chances of a revolt. He also ordered Lace to liberate it as though reel in the ves of the southern colony. Sadly, he was almost assassinated and his lover was forced to return as quickly as possible after destroying the colonial military of the south.


    From the report, the SRU had failed to control the southern colony. The liberated ves were now nning to revolt against the United Navy, practicallyplicating the situation. After all, there were still survivors from the colonial military.


    Things would be bloody in the southern colony.


    Dozens of thoughts flooded his mind as he tried finding solutions for the problems presented by the intelligence officers. But as more thoughts emerged, the more he felt exhausted. His perception turned hazy as if his raging thoughts was beginning to consume him.


    "Calm yourself, Abraham." Lace hugged Abraham from behind, calming his wildly beating heart. He nced at his gorgeous lover, who was smiling at him, and felt sce. "Handle them one by one, and with care." Her soothing words resounded, focusing his mind on a single task.


    Abraham gazed at the intelligence officers, who were somewhat shocked at the scene, and gave them their awaited response. He answered each and every one of their troublesome issues, practically giving solutions to their problems.


    "The critically-damaged warships can be repaired by an uing construction yard. This should repair it from its critical state." He uttered to the intelligence officers, who nodded in understanding. "Take care of the Liberation Front, and observe its tribal leaders."


    "The traps of the Magus Tower will be given focus in a strategic meeting before the final battle. For now, report this intelligence to the strategists and themanding officers of the fleet."


    "And finally, the southern colony will receive the following reinforcements. The UNS Ceaseless Skies will begin aerial dominance over its skies and begin strategic airstrike to remaining colonial military encampment. I will also send UNS Wayward Son."


    "The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalion of the United Army will be sent to quell the revolt and defeat the remains of the colonial military." Abraham''sst words were an order. He was sending an actual military into the ground of the southern colony.


    "A-Are you sure that it is the right answer, Fleet Admiral?" One of the intelligence officers questioned as enacting a military action over a revolt was bound to have problems.


    Abraham unknowingly red at the intelligence officer questioning him, sending shivers into the officer''s spine. He looked directly into their eyes and answered their question. There was a reason why he was sending the army into the ground.


    "While they do have their hatred against humans, there is another reason why they revolted out of nowhere. These bastards consider us as easier opponentspared to the colonial military. After all, we always held back our force against the enved."


    "They are using our mercy against us, something I can''t simply forgive after liberating them. Regardless of their hatred, they must be taught a lesson. The United Navy isn''t a force to be reckon it. Don''t mistake mercy for weakness." His words resounded throughout his office.


    Lace gave an apud after hearing the short speech of the fleet admiral. "That is my, Abraham. Kindness can be given once, but it can''t be given twice. They have already made their stance clear."


    "They aren''t ves anymore."


    Hearing the words of the two highest authorities in the United Navy, the intelligence officers saluted and epted the orders of the fleet admiral. One after another, they left the confines of his quarters, making silence return to where it came.


    With the two of them left alone, Lace stood beside Abraham, staring at him with a scary smile. Abraham wondered to himself as to how he had wronged the dragoness. However, regardless of his thoughtful questions, he could only ept what was toe.


    She slowly move her hand and gave him a light smack on the head.


    *Pack!*


    "Ack!" Abraham held his head tightly and felt his brain ringing. Although it was light, she was still the dragoness. Her version light was different than his light. After smacking him, Lace red at the middle-aged man and pouted.


    "Although it made me excited, doing it in your office really was a bad idea, Abraham."


    Her legs lightly quivered as white liquid dripped onto the floor.

 Chapter 155: | 155 | Southern Revolt

    Somewhere in the broadnd of the southern colony...


    *ZZZZZZzzzzzz...*


    *This is UNS Guardian of the High Seas, awaiting reports!*


    *Contact, this is SRU 55 Reporting! Quadrant 23, northwest city! The liberated ves have started a revolt and are assaulting United Navy forces. I repeat! The liberated ves have started a revolt!*


    *Guardian, this is SRU 77 Reporting! Quadrant 16, southeast city! The scattered ve markets are burning. The city is currently in chaos as the ves who had recently been liberated have ambushed our forces in the city!*


    *This is SRU 44, situation is dire in the northern port. Requesting reinforcements... They have captured several of our teammates, awaiting furthermand!*


    Chaos consumed the entirety of the southern colony when the ves liberated by the United Navy unexpectedly revolted against them, their liberators. Casualties of SRU were climbing, and it wasn''t nning to stop.


    *Reports Received! Details have been sent to the Port of Dawn, further orders are standing by.* The UNS Guardian of the High Seas responded to the troubled Special-Response Units. Their response wasn''t excellent for those facing the rebels.


    Though, one couldn''t fault them, this was the first for the United Navy.


    "Damnit! These bastards!" Captain Howard of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas mmed his hand on the table with anger seeping into his face. It was the first that he had been angered. But it was understandable, they had just been backstabbed by the ones they had saved.


    This would enraged anymander and their patience would take the brunt of their anger.


    "Calm yourself, Captain Howard. The intelligence has been sent to the Port of Dawn. Although, it''s the weekends, the intelligence officers stationed in the branch office building should be reporting to the fleet admiral at this very moment." One of the intelligence officers aboard his ship uttered.


    Hearing the rational words of the intelligence officer, Captain Howard calmed his raging heart and took a deep breath. He turned his gaze towards the intelligence officer and questioned. "How did this happen? Are our intelligence capabilities so bad, we didn''t see their revolt a mile away?"


    The intelligence officer sighed and nced at the screens monitoring the situation in various cities. "This was beyond our expectations, Captain Howard. It seems that we have lowered our guard against these ves."


    "But why? Aren''t the SRU beastfolks anyway? Why would they be assaulting their fellow kind?" Captain Howard asked as it didn''t make sense to him. The situation outside the UNS Guardian of the High Seas was extremely irrational.


    "Perhaps, it may be because the SRU were beastfolks. They have considered the United Navy as easier targetspared to the colonist. They have mistaken our mercy as a weakness." The intelligence officer furrowed his eyebrows with a glint of coldness shing over them.


    The foolish actions of these cowards have affected the future operations between the United Navy and the ves. Things would be troublesome andplicated. Just because of these bad apples.


    "So, they consider us as easier targets, huh? I didn''t think that it would be so simple." Captain Howard was a bit doubtful, so the intelligence officer rified. "The despair of the colonist have prated deep into their very hearts. They don''t have the courage to fight against their owners."


    "But against a new force that''s merciful towards them? They would receive the courage they never had and would be consume by it. They have be lost in their madness."


    Before the intelligence officer could continue, amunication operator suddenly cried out from his seat. "Sir, a response from the Port of Dawn has been received! The Fleet Admiral has ordered for active suppression. Reinforcements will be sent from the fleet."


    "You have been given full reigns over the situation, Captain Howard. The UNS Ceaseless Skies and the UNS Wayward Son, with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalion of the United Army will be assisting the fleet of the south in its endeavors."


    When Howard heard the words of themunication operator. He understood that he had been given a test by the fleet admiral. And he must not fail him no matter what.


    "Contact all Special-Response Units, send them the active-suppression order!" Captain Howard ordered to hismunication operators, who immediately ryed the order to every UN force standing on the southern colony.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the capital city of the southern colony, Austerus. The mes of battle consumed the buildings, devastating thendscape of the capital. Colonists, ves, and special-response units were fighting against one another.


    On top of the central castle, SRU 88 was managing the wretched situation of the capital. The movements of the ves were problematic. They werepletely avoiding the colonists while ambushing UN forces in the capital.


    *This is the UNS Guardian of the High Seas. Further orders from the Fleet Admiral has been received.* The beastfolkmunication operator of the 88 had received a message from the top. It appears that new orders had emerged.


    *The Fleet Admiral has given aplete active-suppression order over the southern ind. The Special-Response Unit has been given authority to actively deal with the rebels. They no longer have the protection of the UN war convention, as these rebels have be actual terrorists.*


    *Deal with them as you may. Complete the order no matter the cost!*


    Hearing the words from the top, themander of the SRU 88 realized the seriousness of their situation. He nced at the chaos below the central castle and sighed. "I didn''t expect that we would be fighting our fellow beastfolks so soon."


    "There''s nothing we can do about it. They have chosen their path. They have be an obstacle for the United Navy." The second-inmand remarked while coldly staring at the devastation below them.


    "And you know how we deal with the obstacles of the United Navy. Regardless if they were beastfolks or not." He nced at hismander, who shook his head in disappointment.


    "Obstacles of the United Navy must be crushed." Themander of the SRU 88 uttered and nced at themunication operator. "With the active-suppression order out, we have dered war against the terrorists."


    "There is no need to hold back. Give all of our men an order. Destroy all of the terrorists inside the capital. Leave nothing behind." The orders of themander was troublesome. They were practically terminating each and every rebels in the city.


    But it wasn''t the job of themunication operator to doubt the orders given by themander of a unit. "Affirmative,mander. Sending orders to all of our personnel."


    Without hesitation, themunication operator sent the orders of themander. There was no going back now. They could only move forward.


    On the other hand, somewhere in the streets of the capital, a group of SRU beastfolks were fighting against the rebels trying to arrest them. Despite their umted injuries, they weren''t given the orders to hurt ves. So, they must hold back.


    But the following orders from themander had shocked them. An active-suppression order was out. War has been dered against the rebels of the southern colony. There was no need for them to hold back. It was time to consider these rebels as an actual militant force.


    "There''s no need to hesitate. Begin counter-offensive!" The squad leader dered, grabbing the attention of his men. They held their rifles tightly and raised it with fervor. "We must not fail the United Navy and the Fleet Admiral! Show them what happens when they try to stab us in the back!"


    ""URRAHHH!!!""


    At this very moment, hesitation had faded from their mind. And it wasn''t only them. Squads scattered throughout the capital city of the southern colony were now beginning their counter-attack.


    The assaulting ves who expected their enemies to keep acting like turtles were faced with the obvious truth. They had awakened the monsters of the United Navy. A monster that would do anything toplete the mission that had been given to it.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    *BBRRRRRrrrttttt!* *Bang!*


    "Take care of these colonists bastards! And don''t give the rebels time to call for reinforcements." One of the SRU Beastfolks roared while pulling the trigger, mowing down a group of rebels in the streets. They were outnumbered, but with superior armament, they had a chance.


    ...


    As the bloodshed in the southern colony grew stronger, the Port of Dawn was preparing its reinforcing army to be sent to the chaotic south. The UNS Ceaseless Skies had already began its voyage to the south.


    On the other hand, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalions were boarding their respective transport vehicles. Some were transported via AC-130 while most boarded the UNS Wayward Son. Armored and mechanical equipment were also transported through the Sealift Ship.


    As the soldiers of the United Army boarded the UNS Wayward Son, the lieutenant colonels of respective battalions give their personal speech to their subordinates.


    "The United Army has finally left the ind of Crescere, aiding the United Navy and the Fleet Admiral in their expansion into the farther seas. We will be sent to the chaotd of the south. Rebels have sprung up, using our mercy against us."


    "Many of our fellow beastfolk colleagues have met their end against these terrorists. As such, they must pay the price for what they have done. The United Army will trample thend of those that dares to harm the people of the United Navy."


    "The United Army will see through their end!"


    All the soldiers lined up and listening to the speech of the lieutenant colonels immediately raised their arms, giving a salute. They were ready for war, ready for the battlefield.


    It was finally time for the United Army to join the battle.

 Chapter 156: | 156 | Heavy Retaliation

    Somewhere in the Port of Dawn was a particr sector connected to the military of the United Navy. It was riddled with Naval Guns, Multi-Mission Launchers, and C-RAMs'' scattered throughout its well-defended perimeter. It was known to many as the defense sector.


    Deep inside the defense sector was a dome-shaped buildings 75 meters tall and 375 meters in diameter. It was the Central, Strategic, Command, of the United Navy. Generally called as the Command Center.


    The office of the fleet admiral in the branch office building was where important decisions of the United Navy were made. On the other hand, in the Command Center, it was in this ce where the fleet admiral''s important decisions were done.


    And now, the current, troublesome issue they were tackling was the southern revolt perpetrated by the recently liberated ves. The situation wasplicated, and it was a mark of hostility towards the United Navy.


    "Just when I got back, another war is already brewing." Walking through the hallway leading to the strategicmand room was the second highest authority of the United Navy. Her name was Charlotte, a Vice Admiral.


    She had just recently returned from the north with a battered fleet. She expected to be met with a particrly angry fleet admiral for damaging his frigates and almost destroying two. But unexpectedly, when she met her, he appeared to be in a good mood.


    ''Wait, did he know that there would already be more work for me?'' Charlotte thought, thinking that their circumstances might be the punishment of the fleet admiral. But, she understood him the most. While him being angry was problematic.


    He wouldn''t cause the suffering of his subordinates for grudges.


    With this in mind, she shook her head and got rid of her useless thoughts. Any problems regarding the situation would be dealt with in the strategicmand. There was no need to waste her energy while heading there. It was better to use it during their uing discussion.


    It didn''t take long before Charlotte arrived in the strategicmand. Several Captains have already arrived, awaiting for the meeting along with numerous intelligence officers. Themanding officers that couldn''t participate were the ones already in a mission, or already participating the war.


    She gazed at all of them with a serious expression and arrived at her respective position. It seems that she was the only e. After her arrival, an intelligence officer began reporting their recent discoveries about the situation.


    "Good afternoon,manding officers of the United Navy. We will be reporting the current status of the southern colony, Austerus."


    "It was in 0010 when we received a distress call from the Special-Response Units in the southern colony. ording to them, out of nowhere, the liberated ves began revolting against them. These ves- no... rebels have ambushed many of our personnel, bringing about casualties."


    "When we heard more about the information, a group of intelligence officers were swiftly sent to the fleet admiral''s office. Even though we already know that the fleet admiral might not be in his office as it is currently the weekends, we still prompted to report to him."


    "Luckily, he was already there with the legendary dragon, Lace, by his side." Hearing the words of the intelligence officer, Charlotte raised her eyebrows with suspicion in mind. The Fleet Admiral and that Problem Dragon in the same room despite in the weekends.


    It was even rare for the fleet admiral to stay in the office during thesest days of the week, so for him to be inside with the dragoness brought forth some skepticism.


    ''That man practices his routine with grace. He wouldn''t work in the weekends even if there was a problem that needed to be solved. If we needed him, we had toe to his house and meet him there. In the weekends, his office had be his bane.''


    ''So, the fact that he was already there without our instigation means that something had urred between him and the dragoness. It looks like they have done it in the office. How remarkable...'' Charlotte''s inquisitorial skills weren''t to be underestimated.


    The edges of her lips rose as she wondered what must be done with this theory of hers. Though, before she could continue thinking about it, she returned her attention to the intelligence officer after hearing about the strange movements of the rebels.


    "Further reports implies that the rebels are avoiding the colonists and are pushing all their resources against us. They appeared to have realize the hesitation of the Special-Response Units, and have be bold in their actions."


    "As such, the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy gave an active-suppression order. The deration of war has been epted, and a reinforcing fleet will be sent to the southern colony, assisting the Special-Response Unit in their endeavors."


    "The reinforcing fleet consists of two ships. The Advanced Airship, UNS Ceaseless Skies. And the Fast Sealift, UNS Wayward Son. In them will be the reinforcing military of the United Army, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Mechanized Battalion, and 5th Armored Battalion."


    The intelligence officer slightly raised her sses and concluded her report. Silence perpetuated in the strategicmand as the remainingmanding officers were left to their thoughts. After a short while, one of them finally spoke.


    "Quite arge army to quell some rebellion." A Russian Commanding Officer of a frigate remarked since one would think that the United Army was conquering a small nation with the amount of personnel it was sending.


    "That''s to be expected. Our rebels numbers around the thousands, and the southern colony is vast. Am I right, Vice Admiral?" Another Russian Commanding Officer responded to his fellow captain''s remark.


    Vice Admiral Charlotte squinted her eyes, seriously thinking about the situation. She understood why the United Army was sent, and she knew why a lot of them was deployed to pour water into the mes spreading throughout the south.


    "Correct, but the most important reason is simple. The southern colony must be quelled before the uing operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. We don''t have any more time to enjoy our peace. We have to make a move."


    "Otherwise, we wouldn''t stand a chance against a heavily-defended, and reinforced colony. The Fleet Admiral wants to take care of the southern colony as fast as possible. If the problem in the southern could be solved, this would allow us to change our focus to the north."


    Themanding officers in the strategicmand nodded in understanding, epting her words about the matter. It made sense, especially with the reason about why they should solve the problem in the south as quick as possible.


    "At any rate, the southern colony must be dealt with."


    ...


    Meanwhile, amidst the heavens between the southern colony and the ind of Crescere, the UNS Ceaseless Skies soared with no obstacles in its wake. It was amongst the reinforcing warships sent to the southern colony to deal with the rebellion.


    Its primary mission was reconnaissance and strategic airstrike.


    "Sir, the UNS Guardian of the High Seas has called." Amunication operator reported to themanding officer of the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Himmel.


    Himmel was a young captain, a talented one like the famous vice admiral of the United Navy, Charlotte. Although his rank wasn''t as high as hers, he was still a renownedmanding officer in his own right, assigning him to the one and only advanced airship, Ceaseless Skies.


    "Openmunication." He nodded at themunication operator and responded. Theter swiftly openedmunications between the UNS Ceaseless Skies and UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    *Congrattions for bing a part of our fleet, Captain Himmel.* After connecting to the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Howard of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas immediately congratted him. After all, Himmel was part of the newestmanding officers in the United Navy.


    "I am grateful and honored, Captain Howard. How is the situation in the southern colony?" Captain Himmel questioned, wanting to know deeper details about the problematic south. Hearing him, Captain Howard sighed and honestly answered his question.


    *It has gone worser. Casualties in the SRU are racking up. I thought of pulling out from the southern colony, until I heard the active-suppression orders of the Fleet Admiral.*


    "They are still being beaten back even with the active-suppression order? I thought that the Special-Response Unit are amongst the best units in the United Navy?" Captain Himmel was honestly surprised as he considered the natural strength of the beastfolks as excellent.


    *You must not forget that they are fighting against their own kind, Captain Himmel. The Special-Response Unit has mostly considered themselves as liberators. They have been fighting against human colonists since the beginning of their duty.*


    *Them fighting against their fellow enved beastfolks must have taken a toll on them. It''s not hard to understand why casualties are getting higher. Though, I doubt that the dragon would be happy with the news.* Howard calmly exined.


    "Would the dragon be angered by the high casualties?" Captain Himmel found it understandable as the Special-Response Unit were directly under the authority of the legendary dragon, Lace.


    *There is that, but there is also another reason.* Howard agreed with the words of the young captain, but he understood that it would be far moreplicated than that. Especially after knowing the dragoness himself.


    Despite her seemingly easy-going demeanor, she was someone who was far stricter than everybody else.


    *She would probably reprimand them for their hesitation. I can already imagine the punishment she would give them after they had rested back in the Port of Dawn.* Captain Howard knew that the dragoness hated hesitation the most.


    It could lead to them losing their own lives, or causing their allies to lose theirs as well. It was something she surely made sure to stomp on during their training. The fear they had towards the colonists practically got destroyed.


    *Anyhow, I''ll be sending you potential reconnaissance locations. You can target them for strategic airstrike if needed.*

 Chapter 157: | 157 | Getting out of the Chaos

    *BBRrrrrrtttt!!!*


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    "These bastards are crazy!" A Minokin expressed while holding onto his trigger, firing at the direction where the rebels were charging at. Their opponents were mad as they appeared to not care about their own lives at all.


    The only thing that seemed to matter was these bastards killing them.


    "Just keep firing! Themunication operator is contacting the Guardian for Exfil." The squad leader Minokin dered while firing at the crazy rebels. Hearing him, the surrounding Minokins continued shooting at their enemies.


    ''How did this even start?'' The squad leader thought to himself, wondering how their precarious circumstance began. It was supposed to be a fight for liberation, but out of nowhere, the ones they liberated turned against them. ''They ambushed us out of nowhere!''


    He was annoyed since he had unexpectedly lowered his guard around them. The result of this foolish act was simple. One of his men was stabbed in the chest by the rebels. Luckily, with the tough body of a Minokin, his subordinate survived.


    At the moment, he was being treated in the back by their medic. It was for this reason why he had ordered themunication operator to call for Exfil. It was time for them to get out as they couldn''t handle an entire city around.


    ''I hope that reinforcements would immediatelye. Otherwise, the southern colony would be awless ind in this state.'' The squad leader understood that the rebels must be taken care of. After all, with the rebels around, the situation might worsen for the southern colony.


    "Sir, I have made contact with the Guardian. An Osprey is heading towards our location. We will be sent to a Forward Operating Base in the north of the ind." Themunication operator of their squad saluted and reported to the squad leader.


    "Has the situation worsen?" The squad leader questioned, wanting to know the situation outside of the city. Themunication operator looked at him for a moment before replying. "It has unfortunately worsen, Sir. The Special Response Unit is barely handling the south."


    "I have heard from the Guardian that reinforcements from Crescere will arrive into the southern colony. It shouldn''t take long before our counter-offensive." Themunication operator further exined and continued reporting the order of the Guardian.


    "At any rate, the za in the center of the city has been marked as thending zone of the Osprey. We must reach it quick since we only have an estimated time of 30 minutes." Hearing the words of themunication operator, the squad leader understood that they must be fast.


    The Osprey wouldn''t take its time waiting for them. Especially when the za was in the middle of a hostile-infested city. Itsnding needed to be quick.


    "Understood, we will be heading towards the za." The squad leader nodded in confirmation and looked at his men. He squinted his eyes and yelled out. "An Osprey will be picking us up for Exfil in the za, let''s get there fast!"


    The Minokins turned their heads toward the squad leader and soon nodded their heads. They turned their eyes towards the direction of the za. It would be quite a journey until they reached their required destination.


    "Alright, maintain formation. Be cautious and be swift!" The squad leader signaled his men to follow him as they sprinted through the empty and dusty streets of the city. Cries and screams echoed throughout the city as the rebels were getting crazier.


    The civilians met the brunt of the rebels, bringing about a hellish sight. On the other hand, the remains of the colonial military were totally avoided, signifying the deep-rooted fear of the rebels towards the local garrison.


    As the SRU squad passed through the streets, a group of rebel fighters emerged, roaring at them while crying out maddened words. A Minokin with a heavy machine gun pointed it towards the rebel fighters and immediately pulled the trigger.


    *BBRRrrrrrttttt!*


    The rebel fighters were met with a torrent of metallic lead, swiftly bringing them down to the ground, writhing in pain. Blood dripped out from their bodies as they cried in despair. Though, the SRU squad didn''t care and continued moving.


    Any tinge of mercy and care towards the rebels had long been gone. The battle they had gone through made them cold towards these crazy bastards.


    "Continue moving! We only have less than 30 minutes until Exfil!" The squad leader reminded, prompting the squad to move faster. They passed through several alleyways, meeting stray rebels, and subsequently dealing them without any mercy.


    "Sir, the rebels are gathering in the square near the za. What should we do?" A Minokin reported while observing the gathered rebels in the distance. It appears that they were arming themselves for battle. It shouldn''t take long before these rebels became organized.


    At that moment, these crazy bastards would be an actual military threat.


    "Stay in the building nearest to the za. We will be holding it until the arrival of our transport." The squad leader ordered, causing the Minokins to nod in agreement. They turned attention to the nearest building of the za and started moving.


    The squad then noticed a group of rebels guarding the streets, creating blockades of their own. Luckily, the rebels hadn''t noticed them yet. They slithered through several alleyways, making sure their movements were stealthy.


    The squad leader observed the rebels and noticed that a chain ofmand might have been created in this city. This was a piece of bad news. It must be destroyed before it solidifies its foundation. But the priority at the moment was getting his men out of his hellscape.


    So, he faced a difficult a choice. Should he try taking down the leadership of the rebels in this city, risking the lives of his men? Or will they continue to hide until the arrival of their transport, which was risk free whenpared to the first option.


    ''I''ll make that decision once we arrive in the chosen building.'' The squad leader thought and continued moving through the alleyway. It didn''t take long before they arrived into their destination. They immediately arrived near the doorway and were about to open the door.


    The Minokin near the door noticed that it was locked. He frowned and knew that he had to bust the door open. He nced at his squad leader, asking for permission. On the other hand, the squad leader saw the gaze of his subordinate and understood that it was lock.


    The squad leader nodded his head, giving the Minokin his needed permission. After being given permission, without any hesitation, the Minokin punched the door open. A loud noise resounded as the squad swiftly entered through the building.


    Cries sounded out, prompting all of them to frown. Inside the building were ves, beastfolks that hadn''t join the rebellion yet. The only problem was that it was hard for them to let their guard down around ves. Not after what had happened.


    All of them maintained their seriousness along with their cautiousness, not wanting to be stabbed at the back. Nheless, the squad leader stepped forward, gazing at the fearful ves before him.


    ''Things are bingplicated with them around.'' The squad leader thought as he wondered what to do with them. They could simply ignore them and continue on. Or they could save them from the chaotic city. But a single question consumed his mind.


    Could they trust them?


    "P-Please save us! We want to return home!" A female beastfolk cried out to the Minokins, who merely kept a cautious distance away from the ves. One never knows the weapon they might be hiding in their ragged clothing.


    "Get down on the floor and don''t resist our search. We''ll check your body for weapons." The squad leader ordered the ves, who unsurely followed hismand. Theyid down on the floor with their body spread out while the Minokin carefully searched them for any weapons.


    "They are clear, Sir. They don''t have any weapons in them." A Minokin reported, which made the squad leader furrow his eyebrows even further. He turned his gaze towards themunication operator and gave another order.


    "Contact the transport, and tell them about the extra-heads. Also, report this to the Guardian." Themunication operator nodded in understanding and responded. "Understood, Sir." Without dy, he began rying information about the ves to their transport and the Guardian.


    *Has their bodies been checked for weapons?* A voice from his radiomunicator sounded out.


    "Their bodies have been thoroughly inspected. They are clear of weapons." Themunication operator answered to the radio. *Good, escort them to the Guardian. Regardless of the situation in the south, we must not forget our initial goals.*


    *I have already ryed your reports to themanding officer. He has epted them to his vessel. Send them to the Forward Operating Base for further inquisition.* Afterward, the connection was cut off.


    The squad leader heard the radio and understood the current directive. He looked at the tensed ves and questioned. "How many of you are there?" The female beastfolk, although shaken, still replied. "There''s about a dozen of us, Sir. Please help us return home."


    "We will help you return home. Don''t worry about that. As long as you follow our orders, you''ll being with us and return to where you actually belong." The squad leader calmly stated and turned his attention to his men.


    "Our transport should be here in any minute now. Prepare for the Exfil." He ordered his men and then pointed at the ves. "They will being with us. The Guardian has given us the directive to do so. Complete it no matter what."


    The Minokin straightened their backs and saluted to their squad leader.


    ""AFFIRMATIVE!!!""

 Chapter 158: | 158 | Reinforcements

    In a medieval building nearby the central za of the city, a squad of Special-Response Unit were waiting for Exfil through an iing Osprey. But when they arrived into the building, an unexpected circumstance emerged.


    Within it were ves of the southern colony. Because of the recent events, it was bing difficult for them to trust the ves of this ind. Getting backstab didn''t do them good. But nheless, through various clearance, the ves have proven themselves to be unarmed.


    As such, unable to do anything to them. Besides, their primary mission before the chaos was to rescue ves, so it wasn''t a bad way to conclude their time in the southern colony.


    Nheless, they were still trapped in the city with maddened rebels outside of their current building. They needed to be cautious and quiet as to not attract unwanted attention from the outside. With this in mind, they wanted to bid their time until the arrival of their transport.


    "There is still ten minutes left until its arrival." The squad leader muttered under his breath while glimpsing through the window of the building. He observed the messy streets and squinted his eyes, realizing the effects the rebels had brought to the city.


    ''A third party entering the conflict makes things even moreplicated.'' He thought before turning his attention away from the streets. He looked at the ves with furrowed eyebrows and remembered their training with the dragoness.


    Amongst many of her lessons was to be rationale at all times. One mustn''t forget their orders, and the reason why they stand on the ground they stood. Sadly, however, the unexpected situation in the southern colony has proven the Special-Response Units'' failure to follow her teachers.


    Even after the active-suppression order given by the fleet admiral of the United Navy, many were still refraining themselves from hurting the rebels. And the result of such foolishness was their own end or the death of theirrades.


    "A-Are you the ones that saved us? The warriors of the Dragon of Liberation?" The female beastfolk quietly asked, wanting to know more about the identity of the Minokin soldiers before her. She was curious about her saviors, and she didn''t want to be ignorant of her own circumstance.


    The squad leader raised an eyebrow after hearing the words of the female beastfolk. After a short while, he sighed to himself while the edges of his lips rose. He had forgotten that while there would be rebels, there would also be supporters.


    "It was Lieutenant Colonel Lace that saved you." The squad leader calmly answered her question, making the female beastfolk realize the name of the Dragon of Liberation. "So her name is Lace...


    "I remembered seeing her above the skies of this city." She smiled as she could only remember fond memories about the Dragon of Liberation. It practically saved her from a horrifying fate. "I was about to be sold in an auction, bing a ve somewhere in the Ferus Sea."


    "Luckily, destiny hadn''t abandoned me yet. As I was about to be sold, the Dragon of Liberation emerged in the clouds, its pitch-ck scales glistened even from below. Its golden eyes glimmered with authority, looking down on everyone and everything."


    "Before it, we were all equal."


    "Its appearance has been etched into my eyes. Something I would never forget. That is why I didn''t join the crazy rebellion the moment it hit the fan." The female beastfolk expressed, but the squad leader carefully listened and realized something important.


    "Has the rebellion been nned before our arrival?" He questioned the female beastfolk, who gazed at him for a short second. She smiled and nodded at the Minokin, further exining the truth of the situation.


    "In reality, the rebellion has been nned by many ves in the southern colony for quite a while. Itswork is vast, and its members epassed almost all of the ves in the south. Its final goal is the creation of a southern country only belonging to the beastfolk alone."


    "It would be a country that would even rival the likes of humanity, or so they dreamed." The final words of the female beastfolk brought out the foolishness of the rebellion and their grandiose delusions.


    "I see... It seems that we have appeared in a terrible time." The squad leader remark, making the female beastfolk chuckle. "Perhaps, you''re correct. But nheless, I was a staunch supporter of the rebellion until the emerged ofthe Dragon of Liberation. The Dragon made me realize that the rebellion wasn''t my future."


    "They have the same thoughts as myself." She nced at her fellow beastfolk, who had followed her amidst the chaos outside. They had trusted her judgement instead of joining the ongoing revolt scattered throughout the southern colony.


    It was something she appreciated.


    "It looks like you were all lucky to meet us then. I don''t remember introducing ourselves. So, I''ll start first." The squad leader uttered to the female beastfolk and continued. "We are a squad of the Special-Response Unit, a new division of the United Navy."


    "We are under themand of Lieutenant Colonel Lace, and follow the high authority of the Fleet Admiral." The squad leader swiftly concluded his introduction. The female beastfolk nodded and followed.


    "I am Minaru, a member of the Kitsune Tribe." She introduced herself with a great smile. Though, the squad leader looked at her body, not understanding what made her a member of the Kitsune Tribe. He had previously heard that they had lush and smooth fur along with a number of fluffy tails.


    These were features he hadn''t seen from the female beastfolk in front of him.


    Seeing his confusion, Minaru chuckled and exined. "The Kitsune Tribe is adept in creating illusions. We can easily cast it with ease through enchantments embedded naturally in our tails."


    After giving her exnation, the illusion casted around her body faded, reced by a beautiful anthropomorphic fox with three tails. It was said that the older a Kitsune bes, the more tails they would have and the wiser they would be.


    "Impressive, I haven''t seen a Kitsune in my life. Only rumors." The squad leader was somewhat amazed by the ability of Kitsune''s to cast illusions. It would be handy in various situations, especially in the battlefield.


    "Ie from a ce far from this sea region. In the northern part of the Ferus Sea, that is where my homnd dwells. I have been lost from my home since I was a child. Unfortunately captured by ve traders. That is why I have to return no matter what."


    She was determined to go back to her homnd. Be a part of her tribe once again. The loneliness of not seeing any of her nsmen or her parents have be too bothersome for a Kitsune like her. She would be maddened if not returned to where she came from.


    "The United Navy will be happy to help in returning all of you home. But before that, we must get out of this city first." The squad leader stated and nced at his men who were observing their surrounding area. He looked at his watch and saw that only a minute was left.


    "Let''s leave this building and head to the za. Take out any rebels nearby, the transport will arrive in a minute." The squad leader ordered to his men, who nodded in understanding. Afterward, he nced at the ves and reminded them. "Follow us, don''t get lost along the way."


    All of them nodded as they wanted to get out from this godforsaken ce.


    "Sir, the Osprey is already above the city." Themunication operator reported, prompting the squad leader to realize that they needed to be fast. "Alright, let''s get out of this ce." He uttered and walked out of the medieval building.


    His men surrounded him while the ves were at the center of the formation. Several rebels emerged out of nowhere, charging at them with swords and shields, probably acquired from an abandoned barracks.


    The Minokins didn''t hesitate and pulled the trigger, gunning down the charging rebels with rtive ease.


    *BBRRrrrtttt!*


    Their adversaries dropped on the door, some dead, some alive but severely injured. One would wonder which was the worse of the two. Minaru realized the power of the Special-Response Unit. It seems that warriors of the Dragon of Liberation weren''t to be underestimated.


    "A hundred meters away from the za, Sir!" Themunication operator yelled out, causing everyone in the formation to move faster. Minaru gazed upwards and saw a metallic bird slowly making its way towards them.


    "That''s our ride out of here." The squad leader remarked, and looked at his men, giving another order. "Maintain a defensive position, don''t let them near the transport." Without any dy, the Minokins surrounded thending zone, shooting at the rebels nearby.


    The air around trembled as dust began to spread outward. The squad leader observed the Osprey making itsnding while its ramp slowly opened. Several SRU beastfolks got out of the transport, fully armed, taking the ce of the Minokins.


    "We will be handling this city, Sergeant." A lieutenant uttered while patting the shoulder of the Minokin. He walked out of the Osprey with a cigar on his mouth. With sunlight shining over his face, he squinted his eyes and muttered. "What a good day to st these bastards to pieces."


    The ramp of the Osprey closed as it immediately pulled out of thending zone. Two Ospreys alsonded on thending zone, signifying that the battle in the city was far from over. The United Navy was intent in taking it back from the rebel scums.


    On the other hand, the squad leader and Minaru sat opposite from one another. One closed his eyelids, finally letting his guard down after a long fight. The other looking through the windows, realizing how small her suffering waspared to the world around her.

 Chapter 159: | 159 | Complications

    In the fleet admiral''s office within the towering branch office building somewhere near the middle of the Port of Dawn, Abraham went through various reports, realizing how troublesome the circumstance of the southern colony had be.


    He furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance as the final operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra should be written at this very moment. But because of the unexpected trouble in the south, it had been dyed as their forces turned its focus to the terrorist.


    ''I have to solve it fast. The iing reinforcements should be able to handle it. But will they be able to do it swiftly?'' He thoughtfully questioned, wondering what he should do about it. There were many options he could pick, some better, some worse.


    The easiest and better option was ordering Lace to take care of the south. However, this would mean that the United Navy wouldn''t be able to handle a simple task without relying to the dragoness. He didn''t wish for them to be over reliant on his lover.


    "Sending more forces would quickened the pace of our victory. But it might make things moreplicated." He muttered under his breath. "Another easiest option would be blowing everything up in the southern colony, but it would do more bad than good."


    "Besides, it would be a disaster to the reputation of the United Navy. I don''t want others to see us irredeemable genocidal monsters. That''s a path I don''t want to cross." He shook his head, denying his ridiculous and dangerous ideas.


    Before Abraham could continue thinking about the matter, several knocks resounded from his door. He turned his gaze forward, curious as to who it was.


    *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*


    "Get in," He responded to the knocking, which made the door opened, revealing the appearance of an ally. The edges of his lips rose as hope had finally dawned upon him. "Vice Admiral Charlotte, I thought you were resting in your home?"


    "Thest operation you were in was problematic to handle. I was confident that you needed a lot of rest." Abraham uttered to the aloof-lookingdy in front of him. Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows after hearing him and responded. "I was made aware of the troubles in the south."


    "Oh, you mean the southern colony? Well, it is a troubling matter that requires a lot of work to solve." He sighed as he could only imagine himself wasting his braincells onto finding a solution for the southern troubles.


    "I am already aware that the final operation in the war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra is on the horizon. I know that we must solve the problem in the south as fast as possible." The more Abraham heard the words of Charlotte, the more he furrowed his eyebrows.


    "While I''d like to hear about your opinion regarding the south, I can''t send you there after the northern operation. It hasn''t been long since you returned from the north. Deploying you to the south would be a failure on my part." Abraham didn''t agree on the deployment.


    "But it must be done, Abraham. With the assistance of the UNS Trinity of Sce, more pressure in the south would be relieved, subsequently quickening the pace of our victory. We must defeat the southern rebels as quickly as possible." Charlotte stated her reasoning.


    He couldn''t counter it as it was the truth. The problematic rebels must be taken care of without severely affecting the timeline they had in their war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Abraham was faced with a troublesome situation, and he knew that he needed to be witty.


    "Okay, okay..." After a short while, he sighed as it was difficult to handle the south without deploying more forces on it. "But the UNS Trinity of Sce will be merely deployed to assist in bombarding rebel-gathering areas."


    "Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. I shall do so as youmand." Charlotte nodded with a smile and saluted before Abraham. On the other hand, the middle-aged man shook his head, wondering whether she was a workaholic-type of woman.


    Most would loved to be in vacation after fighting through a hard-fought battle in the northern seas. The tropics of the ind of Crescere were great. An excellent rxing vacation. Though, it seems that his Vice Admiral was the opposite.


    The battlefield seems to be her ce.


    ''I guess there''s a reason why she got quickly promoted to be the Vice Admiral.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself, gazing at Charlotte. He had heard about her exploits in the north. How she hadmanded the UNS Trinity of Sce to take down five medieval battleships on its own.


    It was something worthy enough to be written in the history books. Especially when the Inquisitors of Europa aided the enemy fleet amidst the battle. Without them, things would have gotten easier, though there was no what-if in this foreign world.


    However, like before, Abraham couldn''t keep thinking inside his mind as another couple of knocks resounded from the door of his office. He and Charlotte turned their eyes towards it, before he gave his response.


    "Enter." After hearing his permission, an intelligence officer entered the fleet admiral''s office intending to give important information about the southern colony. It was a confirmed intelligence they had recently received from the Forward Operating Base.


    "What brings you here?" Abraham calmly asked the intelligence officer, who straightened her back and saluted to the fleet admiral before answering. "I am here to report significant intelligence regarding the southern colony."


    Hearing her, he raised his eyebrows, wanting to know how significant the information was. With this in mind, he nodded his head and uttered. "Okay, report everything to me. I''d like to know about this intelligence of yours."


    "Understood, Sir." The intelligence officer nodded with glee while Charlotte merely stepped aside into the background. She observed the intelligence officer with interest, also desiring to know of the intelligence they had gained from the southern colony.


    "I''ll start, Fleet Admiral. Not too long ago, an SRU squad arrived in the Forward Operating Base with cargo. The content were ves who wanted to return to where they came from. These ves had already been confirmed to be innocent, so they were brought into the FOB."


    "However, one of these ves had information regarding the rebellion. Her name was Minaru, a member of the Kitsune Tribe. A n of Beastfolk adept in the arts of illusion. ording to her, the so-called rebellion had already existed before our entry into the southern colony."


    "It appears that they were bidding their time for freedom, and our intrusion into the south threw a wrench in their ns. Their ns were to create a country for all Beastfolks if their revolt had been a sess. Though, we destroyed the system they wished to liberate themselves from."


    "ording to the Kitsune, the reason of the revolt was simple. It was their change to regain their freedom, and build something for themselves. Naturally, how they went on with this n of theirs was far beyond heinous. As such, many Beastfolk like her abandoned bing members of the rebels."


    "Through this, we can conclude that a vastwork spanning the entirety of the southern colony had already been established. We have underestimated them. Not only that, they might also be led by a Beastfolk, and naturally... To deal with the rebellion, we must deal with the one leading it."


    The intelligence officer concluded her report, and what followed was silence. Abraham and Charlotte were consumed by their thoughts. The fact that the rebelwork had been established meant that they needed to strategize an actual offensive.


    Otherwise, casualties would be fall upon their reckless attacks against the rebellion.


    "Are you suggesting assassination?" Abraham questioned with raised eyebrows. The intelligence officer nodded calmly, knowing what she was suggesting to the fleet admiral. Assassination wasn''t new for the United Navy. But it was the first against an organized rebellion.


    "Can''t we open diplomacy with the leader of the rebellion?" He asked as there might be a way to peacefully end the trouble without unnecessary bloodshed. Charlotte looked at him for a second and shook her head. "With how they act, it might embroil them even further."


    "It''s the same as admitting weakness. And these guys love seeing their adversary weakening before their eyes. It would be corrted to their foolish strategies working against us." The vice admiral exined.


    Abraham nodded in understanding as what she had said made sense. The actions of the rebellion were far from rational. They might be organized, yeah. But that wouldn''t meant that they would be logical. The rebels scattered throughout the southern colony were maddened, so doubt was understandable.


    "I see... It seems that it is unavoidable. Call in the SRU 01, I have a mission for them." He ordered with determination since what needed to be done, must be done.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the heavens above the southern colony, an RQ-170 Sentinel was observing the situation within the capital of Austerus. It was capturing image, footages, and intelligence data, sending it to its mothership, the UNS Ceaseless Skies.


    It carefully inspected possible rebel strongholds along with armories scattered throughout the capital city. It was also analyzing the possible building where the center ofmand of the rebelsdwelled. After all, if found, it might be able to call in a strategic airstrike.


    Back to the UNS Ceaseless Skies, a drone operator nced at the intelligence data and immediately sent it to the intelligence officers. The possible strongholds and armories were quickly investigated, cross-referenced with various sources.


    "Ten likely-strongholds of the rebels had been confirmed, Captain Himmel." An intelligence officer reported to the captain, who nodded in understanding and gazed through the reinforced windows of the Advanced Airship before giving an order.


    "Send out an MQ-9 Reaper for a strategic airstrike. Give it the coordinates of the ten strongholds."

 Chapter 160: | 160 | The A-Team

    Above the capital city of Austerus, an MQ-9 Reaper UAV soared over its empty skies, observing the entirety of the city while also looking for its target through the coordinates given by the Sentinel. The Reaper carried a variety of armaments under its wing, perfect for a coordinated strategic strike.


    These arsenal were mostly the AGM 114 Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles, GBU-12 Paveway IIser-guided bomb, and a few AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile. With this amount of armaments in the Reaper, it was no wonder it was feared by many in the former world.


    After all, inside the UAV was but a mereputer piloted by a drone operator in the UNS Ceaseless Skies. One can consider it a cold machine of war that can be destroyed with any other consequences than an economic one.


    "First Designated Target in sight! Observing..." The drone operator reported, sending the live data footage to the main screen of the airship''s bridge.


    Captain Himmel gazed forward, staring at the building considered as a stronghold of the rebels. It was already confirmed when several armed rebels entered in and out the building, carrying messages to be scattered throughout the rebellion in the capital city.


    With this in mind, he didn''t find the need to hesitate. So, after observing it for a short while, Captain Himmel gave the order. "Destroy the stronghold, and head to the next DT."


    "Affirmative, Sir." The drone operator responded, looking intently at the building. He took a deep breath and nced at the release button of the GBU-12. Without any further dy, the drone operator pressed it tightly, beginning the countdown of the reaping death.


    The MQ-9 Reaper released its GBU-12 Paveway, aser-guided 500-pound bomb. It fell from the heavens, piercing through the skies, pointing itself towards its designated target. The stronghold of the rebels continued its operation without knowing the countdown they found themselves in.


    After a couple of seconds, theser-guided bomb punched through the roof of the stronghold,nding directly in the middle of the building as it had intended.


    What followed was a not-so-intriguing sight.


    In the main screen of the UNS Ceaseless Skies'' bridge, Captain Himmel saw a bright light radiantly piercing from the stronghold of the rebels. It even momentarily blinded the camera of the Reaper. Everyone in the bridge observed the live footage with scrutiny.


    They looked at it as dust and smoke shrouded the building in its entirety. But it didn''t take long for the dust to settle while the smoke bellowed and faded. The stronghold emerged, far from its former appearance, standing as the one of the centers of the rebellion.


    What reced it was a devastated building brimming with rubbles. There was nothing but destruction surrounding it, emanating the power of the GBU-12. Quite a terrifying sight indeed.


    "First Designated Target Terminated, Sir!" The drone operator of the MQ-9 Reaper, calmly reported to themanding officer of the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Himmel. "Rerouting the Reaper to its DT." He continued while piloting the Reaper through a monitor.


    "Good, head to the next Designated Target marked by the Sentinel." Captain Himmel was satisfied with the results. The job had been done perfectly by the drone operator, though it was far from over. Luckily for them, however, the rebellion should be easy to deal with.


    ''Unlike in the former world, no one would be smuggling weapons for them. There is only two paths for the rebellion in the southern colony. Surrender, or death. Only they could choose it, either options, the United Navy wouldn''t care.'' Himmel quietly thought to himself.


    "But I hope that they would be smart. It is for their own good, after all. Nheless, they must finish what they had started. And the United Navy wouldn''t be so kind to them even if they uttered their surrender." Captain Himmel shook his head and muttered.


    The MQ-9 Reaper soared through the heavens, heading towards the coordinates of its second target. ording to the intelligence sent by the Sentinel, the second designated target was an abandoned armory upied by the rebels.


    Rebels enter the building to get themselves armed, which wouldn''t do good for the SRU Operatives in the capital city. So, it was concluded to be a target for strategic airstrike.


    "Second Designated Target in sight! Observing rebel movements surrounding the building." The drone operator reported after arriving in the coordinates of the armory. The live footage was sent to the main screen of the bridge, watched by everyone inside.


    As by the conclusions of the Sentinel, the rebels were getting themselves armed through the armory. Its destruction was necessary for the safety of the operatives on the ground. There was no need for Captain Himmel to give further orders.


    It must be destroyed, no matter what.


    The drone operator observed the armory and slowly pressed the release button of the remaining GBU-15ser-guided bomb under its left wings. The bomb slowly fell from the Reaper, and was beginning to pierce through the skies.


    Captain Himmel and several intelligence officers watched the live footage of theser-guided bomb falling towards the armory of the rebels. They stared at it intently as if etching the image into their eyes.


    The reason for their strange actions was to not let themselves forget about what they had done in the battlefield. It must be remembered for what they had done had taken the lives of others, even if these lives came from their adversaries.


    Like the first designated target, theser-guided bomb smashed through the roof of the armory. Itnded directly at the center and what followed was a brilliant light shrouded everything in sight. It was blinding and radiant, but it was soon reced by dust and smoke.


    Several rebels were running away from the explosion, fearful for their lives. It was as though they had been given the judgement of the heavens. As such, some even began praying for their lives, not to be hit by such a bomb.


    Luckily for the survivors, though... It was thest GBU-12 under the wings of the Reaper. The strategic airstrike session had just ended. It was a sess with a stronghold and an armory in the capital city destroyed into damnation.


    This would significantly lessened the pressure on their operatives, while also breaking thework of the rebellion, practically destroying its ability to issue strategies towards the rebels.


    "But issuing airstrikes wouldn''t be enough to handle the rebellion. We have to directly take care of its leaders." Captain Himmel mumbled while staring at the paper recently given by an intelligence officer. It was a report about an operation which the UNS Ceaseless Skies must give their assistance.


    ''The Port of Dawn is sending a kill-order for the higher-ups in the rebellion. The SRU 01, consisting of the best of the best, directly and personally trained by the dragon herself, had been sent to take care of them.'' He thought as the edges of his lips rose.


    "I guess it shouldn''t take long before this ship returns to the Port of Dawn." Captain Himmel confidently remarked as these operatives of the Special-Response Unit 01 might be considered as one of the best in the United Navy.


    The A-Team


    ...


    Meanwhile, a few kilometers from the northern coast of the southern colony, an Osprey was soaring through the clear heavens with a destination in mind. After interrogation with key-personnel scattered throughout Austerus, it had been determined that the leadership was in the southern coast.


    This was its destination.


    Inside the Osprey was the SRU 01, a capable unit under the direct authority of the dragoness, Lace. It has been a while since they left the ind of Crescere and headed to the southern colony of Austerus. Yet, the briefing of their mission kept echoing in their minds.


    Mercedes sat quietly thinking about the mission briefing beforehand. The fleet admiral had personally met them along with Lieutenant Colonel Lace, themander of the Special-Response Unit. The mission they had been given was an important one.


    It would end the conflict in the south faster than it would have normally.


    ''Assassinating the leadership of the rebellion. Intelligence had confirmed their existence and possibly their location. That would be our destination.'' She thought to herself, wondering about theplexities of their uing mission.


    Although it wasn''t the first infiltration mission for the SRU 01, it might be the first assassination mission for them. Usually, their lieutenant colonel would be with them. Guiding the Special-Response Unit along the way, now... She would be the one in the helms.


    ''Behind enemy lines, huh? Just like before.'' Mercedes remembered her reconnaissance and assistance mission in the archipgo colony. From what she heard, the Liberation Front was doing well. It shouldn''t take long for them to be ready in the final battle in this sea region.


    ''But I shouldn''t be too preupied of the past. The present is where I am.'' She shook her head and nced at her men. Espada was with, also in silence, it appears that he was also thinking about the mission they had gotten from the fleet admiral.


    With how moody the atmosphere was, Mercedes thought of changing it up a little. She gazed at her men and smiled at them, giving a simple remark. "We will be handling the leadership of the rebellion. Our enemies will be of our own."


    "Nheless, what do we do with the obstacles of the United Navy?" She calmly asked them, to which Espada answered with confidence. "We stomp them six-feet into the ground."


    "Correct, these guys must pay the price for stabbing the back of our brothers and sisters. Special-Response Unit 01, what are we?" Mercedes uttered another question, and every one of her men responded at the same time.


    ""THE HUNTERS OF THE UNITED NAVY!!!""

 Chapter 161: | 161 | Deep Reconnaissance and Harassment Operation

    Far from the troubles of the Port of Dawn and the Southern Colony, Austerus. Northbound, in the cold waters of the northern seas was an attack submarine, known to many in the United Navy as... UNS Orion Deep.


    Along with the advanced airship, UNS Ceaseless Skies. It was deployed by the fleet admiral for an reconnaissance mission. But unlike the airship, the attack submarine was instead sent to the northern seas, its target was none other than the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    Deep below the raging tides of the northern seas, the UNS Orion Deep treaded the cold waters in silence. It was headed towards the possible coordinates of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Its mission was reconnaissance and harassment.


    The United Navy needed more information about the naval movements of the colonial dominion. They also needed its forces to be preupied and tense, practically exhausting them before the battle had even begun.


    But for the attack submarine to do so, it must be careful. The Capital Colony of Terra was home of the sea region''s Magus Tower. In this ind, there would be arge amount of Magi, possibly reaching the hundreds.


    If they didn''t want to meet magicraft shenanigans, they had to tread the deep waters with caution and stealth in mind.


    "This really is a strange world..." Captain Tief muttered to himself after reading through various reports that needed to be brief to him by the intelligence officers. He preferred reading the information as it would stick longer into his brain than someone else yapping about it.


    He was currently in the control room of the UNS Orion Deep along with several intelligence officers and control operators handling or managing the operations of the attack submarine. It was mostly dark with onlyputer screens and blinking lights giving them a tinge of radiance.


    ''I have to watch out for underwater monsters called the Sea Leviathans. Although the United Navy hadn''t met such sea monster in itster operations, it was still a problematic variable when sailing through or under the sea.'' He quietly thought about the briefing paper.


    ''Not only that, once the so-called War Masters of a battleship or escort ship of our adversary bes determined to die, they can sacrifice themselves to cast a spell that could call our a herd of such sea monsters.'' He squinted his eyes and continued.


    ''Luckily, it was rare for War Masters to throw their lives away, and were swiftly taken care of the United Navy before they could cause problems.'' As themanding officer of an attack submarine, he knew what his enemies were. Sea monsters weren''t in the catalog of what he considered as adversaries.


    "I guess there is a first for everything." Captain Tief mumbled, determined to take care of everything on the way of his sea vessel. But before he could continue with his thoughts, an control operator calmly reported. "Sir, we have detected an ind in our radar."


    "It is along the coordinates given by the strategic andmand of the United Navy. Our spies have also determined strategic targets throughout the ind coast." An intelligence officer exined to the middle-aged man.


    "Spies, huh? I do wonder how we got spies into the Colonial Dominion of Terra." Captain Tief was somewhat curious about how their spies managed to prate deep into enemy lines. It was intriguing, and a smart move. Information always wins the war.


    "That is unfortunately ssified, Sir. The intelligence department in the United Navy aren''t keen in revealing their secrets. Though, the Fleet Admiral and the Vice Admiral might know of its secretive ways." The intelligence officer gave a wry smile.


    Not everything was revealed to every personnel in the United Navy. There were some information only reserved to the higher echelons of the naval organization. This was to protect vital and ssified intelligence from falling into enemy hands.


    "Understandable, to say the least. There are things we only need to know. We don''t have to receive every information thates or leave the United Navy." Captain Tief wasn''t against such an action as it was the obvious option to be chosen.


    "Who knows how those so-called Magus could operate their magicraft. Information leak might emerged if we aren''t careful about managing intelligence." He continued and decided to turn his attention to the ind. "Follow the coordinates given by our spies."


    "We will first observe the targeted coordinates, and whether we will start our harassment or not depends on its importance to the colony." Captain Tief gave his orders, which his naval personnel immediately followed.


    The UNS Orion Deep then followed the southern coast of the ind, Terra. It didn''t take long until it reached its destination, the first targeted coordinates sent by their spies. The sonar operators in the control room carefully listened the surrounding waters, noticing the high activity in the targeted coordinates.


    "High activity confirmed!" With the confirmation of a sonar operator, the control operators nodded at one another and started slightly emptying the bast tanks of the UNS Orion Deep. It was only enough for the attack submarine to be mere dozen feet from the sea level.


    "Extend the periscope and begin observation." Captain Tief ordered, while the control operators extended the periscope 25 meters high. It didn''t take long before an image of the enemy port was ryed to a screen in the control room.


    Everyone in the control room observed the lively actions of their enemies. They were loading various supplies from food, water, and ammunitions. There were a dozen battleships in the port, signifying howrge it was.


    Not only that, it was also extremely defended with fortresses beside it. Naturally, the colony couldn''t build a perimeter fortress wall in the surrounding waters of the port as it would be too troublesome for the battleships it nned to hold.


    "How do they even move such giant medieval ships?" Captain Tief couldn''t help but questioned as those ships simply couldn''t be move through the natural winds of the sea. These gigantic wooden battleships were too heavy to be reliant in wind.


    "As said before, there are War Masters on board these battleships. They are individuals capable of using a line of magicraft called strategic spells, which requires runes to be embedded into the ship for them to conjure a spell."


    "One can expect them to cast a spell that could bring forth wind into their sails. This would give them the ability to sail even if the winds of the sea were weak." The intelligence officer calmly exined to the confusedmanding officer.


    "So, everything can be exined by magicraft, huh? I guess that makes sense in this scenario." Captain Tief couldn''t help but slightly chuckle. Though, it was understandable for warfare to surround in the concept of magicraft.


    After all, who wouldn''t want to use such an easy and efficient weapon? A Magus on its own would be an individual with an arsenal embedded in their mind. if the United Navy was capable, it would have begun producing Magus after stabilizing itself.


    Sadly, everyone from the former world had no chances in wielding magicraft. The humanity of the foreign world had already adapted to mana, evolving to be able to wield it in its entire glory.


    However, ording to rumors, the R&D Department of the United Navy were nning to bypass the biological obstacle of magicraft. If it was true, then it wouldn''t take long before the United Navy could wield magicraft, growing even more stronger.


    "At any rate, the intelligence sent by the spies have been confirmed. Give me targets, we will proceed with our harassment operation in five minutes." Hearing his words, the intelligence officers began analyzing the perfect target for the Orion Deep.


    They needed to hit the port where it would hurt the most, so they needed to be patient and scrutinizing in the process of searching for it.


    It didn''t take long before the investigation session of the intelligence officers ended. All of them nced at Captain Tief, while one of them stepped forward, reporting to themanding officer. "Sir, we have identified the targets."


    "Good, tell me what to destroy." Captain Tief nodded in understanding and asked what the UNS Orion Deep should destroy from the port before it. Hearing the words of the middle-aged man, the intelligence officer continued.


    "Identified targets are the central battleship, the ammunition warehouse, and the central building of the port. The first might cause a chain reaction, and the same could be considered for the second target. The final is to cut of some of the heads in the port." The intelligence officer coolly exined.


    Their words made sense, and besides, it was a harassment mission. There was no need to destroy everything in one go. Bothering them, angering them, making them fearful at every minute, was enough for the operation.


    "Alright, go to your battle stations. Prepare for torpedo and tomahawk release." Captain Tief gazed at his naval personnel and ordered. rms resounded throughout the attack submarine as the personnel prepared themselves for battle.


    "Designated target, Central Battleship. Weapon Designation: Mark-48 Torpedoes. Ready for Release." A control operator reported to themanding officer, who immediately gave a follow-up order. "Weapon Release." Hearing him, the operator didn''t hesitate and opened fire.


    Meanwhile, a torpedo propelled itself from the attack submarine, soaring forward towards its helpless victim. It pierced through the cold waters of the north and its rough tide, slowly but surely reaching its designated target.


    At first, it was calm... But a momentter, a brilliant sh gleamed from the central battleship in the middle of the port. The surrounding enemy port personnel were blinded. Unfortunately, however, it was the least of their problems.


    *BOOM!!!*

 Chapter 162: | 162 | Dropping from the Heavens

    Above the southern colony of Austerus, a single V-22 Osprey soared through the clear blue skies with a direct destination given by the strategic andmand inside the Port of Dawn. Within the transport aircraft were the operatives, SRU 01, deployed to terminate rebel hierarchs.


    Their operation was important in ending the conflict between the southern rebels and the United Navy, bringing them closer to their deserve peace in the sea region of Terra.


    *Executers, we are 15 clicks from the drop zone. ETA 75 seconds.* As the Osprey slightly trembled, the pilot''s voice resounded inside the transport aircraft, reporting to them their current status. By the moment, they were getting nearer to their drop zone.


    After the status report of the pilot concluded, the captain of SRU 01, also known as the Special-Response Unit''s executers, stood up and faced her men with a cold expression. She was First Lieutenant Mercedes, the right-hand woman of the legendary dragon.


    Her current upation was a secretary of the fleet admiral, the highest authority of the United Navy.


    "Alright, let''s start debriefing." It was the usual to debrief information regarding the operation as to rify things that might have misunderstood by the operatives participating it. Such thing was done by every warrant officer leading a group of soldiers.


    Hearing her words, the operatives of the executer squad nodded in understanding, listening to whatever maye up from her supple lips. Seeing their reactions, a cold smirk emerged from her face as she began their debriefing.


    "Our mission for today is the termination of the rebel leadership located in a southern city. ording to our intelligence, this city was the first to fall in the revolt of the rebels, making it a primary target for the United Navy."


    "This city contains over thousands of ves, possibly under themand of the rebels. As such, our enemies might outnumber us by a hundred-times. Nheless, our mission as said before, is merely the execution of their leaders."


    "We must be fast and precise in this operation. This aircraft will be picking us up in our rendezvous point, 2 clicks from ournding zone. Its ETA will be 30 minutes after our release. So, we have to be quick if we don''t want to be left behind with a bloodthirsty mob."


    Mercedes let out a slight chuckle while her men wondered how twisted the humor of their first lieutenant was. Espada nced at the silver-wolf beastfolk and questioned. "Should we hold back our firepower?"


    The first lieutenant looked at him and calmly responded. "There''s no need to hold back. The HQ has specifically advised us to exterminate every hostile in our way. As long as we execute the leaders of the rebels, anything is open."


    "I see..." Espada nodded as though understanding something important. Though, he couldn''t help but remark. "It seems that the United Navy considers the rebellion as a significant threat of some sort."


    When Mercedes heard him, she froze and squinted her eyes. She gazed at the giant Minokin and asked. "Do you really think so, Second Lieutenant Espada?"


    Hearing her, Espada raised his eyebrows and realized that he must have said something outrageous. He had forgotten that amongst all of them, Mercedes was the most loyal. She stood behind the greater authorities of the United Navy.


    She had seen things they hadn''t, heard things that they would never be able to hear. Her status in the naval organization was almost one of the best, only behind the highest authorities.


    "Apologies, I have uttered nonsense." Espada shook his head, removing his doubts and questions about the operations in the south. He was merely a soldier under the best unit of the SRU. It wasn''t in his duty to question about everything.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have employed himself into the military.


    "There''s no need to apologies, Second Lieutenant. What you said made sense. The response of the United Navy is far proportional from the threat that the southern rebellion had conceived." Mercedes was in agreement with his words, though her following words made him shiver.


    "But the southern rebellion is a threat, regardless of how small it may be. Before our uing operation to squash the Colonial Dominion of Terra. We must thoroughly clean up our backyard, otherwise things will bite us in the back."


    "The Fleet Admiral understands priorities. We don''t need two enemies in this war of ours. One is already enough. If another emerges, we bomb it to damnation until nothing is left behind other than its charred corpse."


    "Do you understand, Second Lieutenant?" Mercedes smiled at the giant Minokin, who only wryly smiled at her, somewhat tense. Noticing this, she sighed at him and uttered. "You''re the newest member of the SRU 01... Right, Second Lieutenant?"


    "Yes, I am." Espada responded to her, making the silver wolf continue. "I understand your hesitance, but let me remind you one thing. First of all, we are the United Navy. Second, we are the beastfolks." She furrowed her eyebrows.


    "Just because they are of our race doesn''t mean we let them strike our brothers and sisters on the back and pretend nothing happen. A beastfolk can enve another beastfolk. And they can also be bastards who consider themselves as supreme."


    "Don''t let our racial identity and theirs cloud your judgement. The same as our fellow humans who fight against their brethren, we must also fight ours if needed. The ideology of the United Navy stands alone in this unforgiving world. We can only unite our likeminded fellows to survive."


    Mercedes concluded her speech, and several of her men wanted to apud, but were met with her re. "At any rate, be rational and don''t let your emotions cloud your mind. We will be deep into enemy territory, one mistake can cost the mission and our lives."


    She patted his giant shoulder as he kept his thoughts into himself. He had realized how foolish he had be in this path of bing a liberator. His biased was showing itself, and it was disgusting. He considered himself the former Warchief of the Minokin Tribe.


    It seems that ying as the liberator had soften his mind. He wouldn''t have hesitated if it was beforehand and wouldn''t be caught up in the whole liberator identity.


    But before he could continue with his thoughts, the voice of the pilot resounded in the interiors, giving them the final go.


    *SRU 01, Executers! We have arrived in our designated drop zone. Operation is open.*


    Following the pilot''s words, the red light emanating throughout the interior became green. Everyone inside stood up and prepared themselves for the drop. Their check their gears carefully as one wouldn''t want to die through


    "Alright, Executers! Show them all you got!" Mercedes yelled out while the rear loading ramp of the Osprey slowly opened. The previous metallic silence of the interior swiftly disappeared, consumed by the roaring wind pressure.


    The operatives felt the gust of wind as the southern city below went into their view. Mercedes looked at them with calm and uttered. "Take the leap!" Hearing her, none of them hesitated as they hopped off into the skies through the rear loading ramp.


    One after another, the executers fell, like angels of the vast heavens. When thest operative left the confines of the Osprey, Mercedes nced at the empty interior. She smiled and gently exited to the heavens, falling at piercing speed.


    Mercedes felt the gust of raging wind cover the entirety of her body. She had already experience a diving fall during the War for Liberation in the colony of Servusarator. During that time, she was but a mere assistant of the dragoness, who was leading the first members of the Special-Response Unit.


    Things have changed since then. She was now leading her own squad, diving from the heavens, and into their enemies'' embrace. But they would be surrounded with thorns, their adversaries would feel hell upon contact.


    As the operatives got nearer and nearer to theirnding zone, upon reaching a hundred and fifty meters above ground, they immediately opened their parachutes. This gave them enough time to break the speed of their fall, giving them speed and mobility upon theirnding.


    Mercedes watched as her mennded and rolled over the ground, immediately recovering their military bags and arming themselves with the usual arsenal. It didn''t take long before it was her turned, she rolled quickly and regained her posture, swiftly unloading her much-needed supplies.


    While the operatives armed themselves, their first lieutenant stood up and quietly announced. "We have arrived in our destination. I doubt our fall weren''t notice by our adversaries. So, we need to be quick." She turned her eyes towards a fairlyrge building and continued.


    "That building is where are targets dwelled. Lay siege on it, destroy everything on the way." After uttering such words, the surrounding Minokin took out a minigun of their own while others also carried machineguns. uracy and mobility didn''t matter to them. After all, they were strong.


    Seeing the heavy arsenal equipped by her men, she wondered if they knew the concept of stealth at all. Regardless, though... As long as the leadership of the rebellion dies, the mission will be consideredplete.


    "We have 30 minutes before our bird picks us up." Mercedes carried an m4a1 while a smile slowly forms on her face. The operatives under hermand also smirked as they were ready to go in with their guns zing.


    "Let''s move out."


    Without any hesitation or dy, the operatives of SRU 01 sprinted towards the target building. They were like bulldozers, where if there wasn''t a way, they would make their own by smashing through walls. Such monsters deserved to be part of the executer squad.


    Mercedes could only feel proud.

 Chapter 163: | 163 | Operation Aversatrix Mortem

    *BOOM!!!*


    A light shed followed by a thunderous shockwave that threatened to burst the ears of those who meet it. The southern city, the hotspot of the rebellion, had now fallen into chaos as one of their buildings exploded into damnation.


    Dust shrouded a part of the city, along with a bellowing ck smoke rising through the skies. What exploded was their armory, a building where they stored their weapons, and ammunitions such as gunpowder.


    "What the hell is going on?" Somewhere in the interior of the targeted building, a Latran yelled out, confused by the sudden explosion of their armory. He was a coyote-like beastfolk, signifying him as part of the Latran Tribe.


    "Boss, our armory just exploded!" One of the rebel beastfolks reported to the Latran, who gazed at him in confusion. "And why did it explode?" He questioned, wanting to know the reason. The rebel beastfolk couldn''t answer, testing the patience of the Latran.


    "I''m asking you why did it explode!?" He roared at the rebel beastfolk, who trembled and immediately kneeled to him, responded with a tinge of fear. "We don''t know, Sir. It just exploded out of nowhere."


    "Not only that, but we noticed something flying above us. From it, several other unknown things fell into the skies, headed to the ground. We don''t even know if they were alive." The rebel beastfolk continued, spewing everything he could utter.


    "I''m asking you about the explosion! Why are you sputtering me nonsense?" The Latran wanted to beat the annoying rebel beastfolk, but was stopped when a hand patted his shoulders. He looked back and his expression immediately became neutral.


    His anger long casted into the depths of his heart.


    "Leader..." The Latran muttered, while the so-called leader''s lips merely rose. "Calm yourself, Yote. Look at him, he''s already fearful for his life. You must have patience when talking to those lower than yourself. I''m sure understand, right?"


    Hearing the leader''s question, Yote straightened his back and nodded in agreement. "Yes, I understand." With Yote''s reply, the leader of the rebellion nodded in satisfaction and continued.


    "We must handle the situation with care. It seems that intruders have entered my city. They might be from the so-called United Navy, who previously considered themselves as our liberators."


    The rebel leader smirked, remembering the moment when he stabbed one of those strange beastfolk in the back. These enemies of theirs were hesitant when fighting one of their own. Making him delightful of a weakness he could exploit.


    "I heard that these guys were strong. They even have the Dragon of Liberation under theirmand." Yote remarked as rumors about a dragon destroying the entirety of the colonial military were known everywhere in the southern colony of Austerus.


    Although, it happened merely within half an hour, the dragon had thoroughly destroyed the military and government of the colony. Giving them the chance to rise up without any repercussions from the local authority.


    "Dragon of Liberation, huh? Well, as strong as it may be, from the actions of their soldiers, it''s clear that they aren''t as merciless as the colonial military. We can exploit this weakness and take their weapons for ourselves."


    "Perhaps, we might even be able to get the dragon in our side. Solidifying the establishment of a new country of the beastfolks! Don''t you think that wouldbe interesting." The rebel leader grinned at the Latran boss.


    "I can understand that, Leader. But how do you exactly n in doing it?" Yote questioned, wanting to know the ns their leader had in mind. After all, with the United Navy around, establishing a country would be difficult.


    "The answer is fairly simple. We y the long game, targeting them form behind, while hiding deep into the trenches of the cities. If luck is in our side, we can try attacking their armory, giving us some of their advanced weapons."


    The n of the rebel leader made sense. The only way for a less-superior and outnumbered faction to defeat a superior and numerous one was through guerri warfare. Instead of forward confrontation, they would be focused in ambushes.


    "But before that, we must take care of the intruders. Use any strategy you can think of, and kill them all. If you can get one alive, it would be better. We''ll finally have a hostage in our hands." The rebel leader gave an order, which the Latran boss immediately epted.


    Yote bowed to the leader of the rebellion and responded. "It will be done, Leader. They have intruded our turf, and they would not be leaving alive." After uttering such words, he left the main hall of the building, but didn''t forget to re at the rebel beastfolk while stepping out.


    ...


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the interiors of the building, Mercedes was calmly walking through the hallways with her operatives behind her. They have sessfully destroyed the armory, bringing about chaos in the nearby vicinity. This would buy them time.


    Though, with the explosion, they have also announced themselves to the rebellion. But that didn''t matter for the first lieutenant. The prime directive was what mattered. So, the leadership of the rebellion must be killed.


    As they passed through a couple of doors, she noticed a group of beastfolks cowering in a fairlyrge room. She scrutinized the surroundings of the room and noticed weapons lying around. It was also fairly clean, making her furrow her eyebrows.


    ''I didn''t think they woulde up with such a despicable strategy.'' She quietly thought to herself, ncing at her men. It would leave a bad taste in her mouth, but it must be done for the sake of the mission.


    Mercedes left the doorway and gave an order to her subbordinates. "Take care of them." With a simple order, two Minokins carrying a minigun entered therge room. They coldly red at the beastfolk and remembered parts of their training.


    ---


    "You are amongst the first Minokins to be part of the Special-Response Unit. Even your warchief hasn''t ended his training yet, so I have high expectations with all of you. If in doubt, remember my training, nothing more, nothing less." Lace smirked at her newly-trained soldiers.


    ---


    Without any hesitation and dy, the Minokins pushed the trigger of their miniguns, making its gun barrels slowly but rapidly rotate. The cowering beastfolks were shocked, but immediately realized that their cover had been broken.


    Fear seeped into their hearts as they immediately got up, running towards their weapons.


    On the other hand, Mercedes continued walking through the hallway as sudden-shes flickered in and out of therge room along with the thunderous roar of bullets raining down in hundreds. Nheless, she maintained a cold expression and kept on her way deeper into the building.


    *No!* *I-I don''t want to die!* *Merc-*


    *BBRRRRRRRRRTTTT!!!*


    *Argh!* *Ack!* *Pleas-*


    As cries resounded throughout the floor, Espada walked behind Mercedes along with several operatives. Their expressions much serious than before. They weren''t dumb and knew how despicable the rebellion had be.


    These bastards were practically using their own morality against them.


    "Don''t mind it. Anything can happen in the battlefield. It''s how you handle it is what matters." Mercedes remarked and heard numerous footsteps heading towards them. She nced at her men and nodded at them.


    Two stepped forward with their machineguns pointed at the end of the hallway. After a few moments, a group of armed rebels arrived before them with shields and spears in their hands. Sadly, however... It was for naught against the firepower of the United Navy.


    *BBRRrrrrrrtttt!!!*


    It mere moments, the group of armed rebels were met with bullet holes found throughout their bodies. They fell to the floor as corpses, while a puddle of blood formed on the floor. It was quite a sight, not a good one though.


    Mercedes squinted her eyes and passed through the corpses and blood-muddled floor. Her men followed behind, maintaining strict vignce towards their surroundings. Their enemies were everywhere, so they needed to keep their caution.


    "Have you check nearby rooms for an interior map of this building?" She stopped and calmly asked the operatives behind her, wondering if they had inspected the rooms they had passed through. One of them stepped forward and responded. "We have examined the rooms."


    "All of them are clear from intelligence." The answer of her men was disappointing. But it was understandable as interior map wasn''t needed for those that already knew of the ce. The only ones that required it were outsiders and enemies.


    "I see... Quite disappointing. It would have made things easier." Mercedes didn''t hide her disappointment as what she had said was true. If something had pointed them to where the leadership of the rebel was, they would have been quickly heading to their rendezvous point.


    As they were about to keep moving, a dagger pierced through the air, directly headed towards the first lieutenant''s head. But Mercedes slightly move her head to the side, dodging the dagger with ease. She then red at the direction where the dagger came from.


    But after a moment, she stopped ring as the edges of her lips slowly rose. She nced at her operatives and remarked "How lucky we are. Our tour guide has arrived." She took out her two desert eagles, preparing for an uing battle.


    "You must be the intruders. To think you have left such a mess of bodies along the way." Yote furrowed his eyebrows while hiding somewhere in a vast hall beyond the lengthy hallway.


    Mercedes and her men left the hallway, not bothered by the fact that they were surrounded by hundreds of rebels. They only had twenty minutes left, so they needed to be fast. She gazed at her operatives and dered.


    "Leave the Latran alive. The others... Kill them."

 Chapter 164: | 164 | A Massacre

    Hearing the first lieutenant''s orders, the operatives stepped forward and stood beside her. They held their guns tightly in their arms, ring at the rebel beastfolks surrounding them with daunting expressions. Even though surrounded, there was no fear in their eyes.


    The only thing in their mind was the situation before them and the orders that Mercedes had given them. Everyone inside the room other than them and the Latran must die. With this in mind, the operatives pointed the barrels of their armaments at the rebel beastfolk, ignorant of its firepower.


    Espada furrowed his eyebrows, understanding that things were about to be bloody. But their hastiness was understandable. They needed to be quick in assassinating the rebel leadership, otherwise they would be stuck in a city brimming with rebels.


    ''I hope that Latran has the information we need.'' He quietly thought to himself while also pointing the barrel of his M2 Browning Machine Gun towards the surrounding rebel beastfolks.


    On the other hand, Yote, the Latran boss, felt something amiss from the actions of the surrounded enemies before him. Their untamed confidence and bloodlust was affecting the morale of his men. Not wanting them to cower, he immediately yelled out an order.


    "Kill them all! Don''t give them a chance!" When the rebel beastfolks heard his order, they felt a surged of adrenaline consuming every part of their body. This caused them to move and act upon orders despite their tensed bodies.


    "Kill them!"


    "Behead all of them!"


    "KILL!!!"


    Many rebel beastfolks cries out while charging at the SRU 01, or the executers, with their spears aimed at their adversaries. Their roars resounded throughout the hall, like a deafening avnche of noise. Nheless, their battle cries were far from enough in changing the fate that awaited them.


    Their footsteps was akin to a stampeding herd of bulls while the unsheathing of some of their swords echoed all throughout. However, despite the vast performance of the rebel beastfolks. Mercedes''s expression didn''t change, not even for a single moment.


    The first lieutenant merely gazed at them with aloofness and soon nodded at their charge. The operatives, seeing the nod of their warrant officer, followed through and pulled the trigger with their firearms pointed at the charging rebel beastfolks.


    shing lights escaped the confines of their barrels, blinking in and out of existence in mere instantaneous moments. What followed it was a thunderous roar of hundreds of bullets raining down to every direction where the rebel beastfolks stood.


    *Brrrrrtttt!*


    *BBRRRRRRrrrrtttt!*


    *BBBRRRrrrrttttt!*


    *BBrrrrttt!*


    It was an ear-splitting chaos that would have blown the eardrums of an ordinary man. The rain of lead pierced through the stoneyered walls of the hall, making holes and breaking it apart into damnation. Some pirs in the hall were even met with firepower of the operatives, shattering its many bits.


    However, the most unfortunate of all were the rebel beastfolks who had faced the heavy rain of piercing leads head-on. Their bodies burst into several pieces, sttering blood throughout the walls and floor of the hall. They couldn''t even cry out for help as they had died instantaneously.


    Mercedes coldly observed her operatives exterminate every beastfolk in their vicinity. Even though the threat was no long there, her orders resounded in their mind. Not a single one except for the Latran must remain alive.


    "Quite a sight." She muttered to herself, somewhat disappointed of the rebels that had stabbed them in the back. They would have created their own country without a problem. Though, naturally, it must have the values of the United Navy.


    Otherwise, the United Navy would be creating its own troublesome problems in its backyard.


    It didn''t take long before things calmed down. The operatives stopped firing at the direction before them, bringing tranquility in the hall. There was no one other than the SRU, and the Latran. Most have met their end,ying in the floor as corpses.


    While the executers of the United Navy observed the results of their massacre, the hiding Latran felt horror from what had happened beforehand. The sound of thunder sting in thousands within his ears while his men''s bodies exploded into bits.


    It was quite a horrifying sight.


    "H-How did they kill so many in such a short amount of time? What are they? Reapers?" Yote mumbled to himself while behind a pir. He was confident of their ambush against them. With their adversaries surrounded, even if some of them would die, they would still be able to win.


    Sadly, such a strategy couldn''t work itsplete potential against the firepower of the United Navy. It was simply too much. The firepower of modern weaponry wasn''t something that could be outnumbered.


    "I need t-to run! I''ll die if I try to fight them!" Naturally, despite his loyalty to the rebellion, Yote didn''t want to end up a mincemeat like his subordinates. No one would want to die such a horrific way. Even those burying them would be terrified by the state the corpses were in.


    However, before he could move a single muscle of his body, the calm words of Mercedes resounded throughout the silent hall shrouded with cold corpses. "Reveal yourself, Latran. If you don''t want to die like them, I suggest you surrender."


    "If not, you''ll meet a more horrific fate than your subordinates." It was a warning to the Latran who was about to escape. In front of a bullet, there was no escaping. It was improbable for normal creatures to escape it.


    Hearing the words of the first lieutenant, the Latran boss felt chills inside his spine. His mind wanted him to run away as fast as possible, but his instincts were telling him something else. He must follow her suggestion if he didn''t want to die a worse death.


    Surrounding in all sides by troublesome walls of circumstance, Yote knew that his choices were limited to but one if he desired for survival. Through this thought process, he slowly stepped out of the pir he was hiding on.


    He looked forward and finally saw the appearances of their adversaries. It was at this moment that he opened his mouth widely. He was shocked as what was before him was far beyond his expectations.


    It was merely impossible.


    "Why do you look so astounded, Latran? Does our appearances look hideous to you?" Mercedes raised an eyebrow and smirked at the empty handed Latran. From the looks of it, the beastfolk was smart. As expected of the cowardly instigator of the ambush.


    Her operatives moved forward with their guns aimed at the head of the Latran. They slowly surrounded him, cautious of every movements of his body. It wouldn''t be a surprise if a terrorist had some hidden bomb in their body.


    Their instructors had told them about their experience in handling such deviants. They were maddened bastards who were suicidal as a depressed middle-aged man who got divorced and lost his job at the same day.


    Yote gulped since it felt as though a guillotine was hanging above his head. One wrong move would spell his death, so not wanting to die, he questioned what they wanted from him. "W-What do you want from me?"


    The edges of Mercedes''s lips rose as she responded with a smile. "What we want is simple. You''ll bring us to where your leader is. Once we confirmed his identity, we''ll let you off scot-free."


    "You treasure your life don''t you? I suggest you to follow our demands if you want to live." She continued, her words was akin to a devil''s temptation.


    "I-I can''t just betray the leader! He''ll kill me once he finds out!" Yote yelled out since his death would be sealed if he dared to betray the rebel leader. Dozens of rebels would be sent after him to take his head.


    Hearing the words of the Latran, Mercedes coldly squinted her eyes and reminded the foolish one. "Don''t let me remind you of your circumstance, Latran. Your life is in our hands, remember that. Besides, use your brain a little."


    "Ask yourself, why are we searching for your leader? Our objective is fairly simple. I''m sure someone as smart as you could understand that." She expounded some information to the Latran. But someone knowing the objective of their mission wasn''t detrimental to the mission itself.


    The moment he heard her. Yote had finally realized why these guys intruded the city despite it overflowing with over a thousand of rebels. They were hunting the rebel leader, nning to kill him to behead the serpent known as the rebellion.


    Upon this realization, the Latran felt doom looming over his head. The United Navy wasn''t to be underestimated. They had previously thought that such people would be too lenient when facing them. But they had tested the patience of a lion.


    Now, they would be mauled by it to the death.


    "Answer her, Latran. If you want to live that is." Espada stepped forward, ring at the Latran boss. The smell of blood permeated in the air, but he wasn''t that much bothered by it as war had always been bloody.


    Yote was losing confidence over the rebellion by the moment. The more he thought about it, the more he felt they would have no chance against the adversary before them. Not only that, there was also the remains of the colonial military scattered about.


    Since the beginning, they were merely in-between the battle of two monsters. They had thought of themselves too arrogantly of their status in the battlefield.


    After thinking about it, the Latran boss gazed at the first lieutenant of the SRU 01. He gulped while his limbs tensed. There was only one move for him to survive. "I-I will lead you to him." When he uttered such words, he felt a weight lifted over his shoulders.


    It was easier than he had previously thought.


    "Good, I hope you won''t disappoint." Mercedes merely grinned at him, her thoughts unknown to the Latran.

 Chapter 165: | 165 | Results of the Southern Operation

    In the fleet admiral''s office, Abraham satfortably on his seat, gazing at his secretary with interest. A few days have passed since Operation Aversatrix Mortem, and ording to the reports of various intelligence officers, it was a resounding sess.


    However... Looking at what was before him. It might not have been as resounding as it seems.


    Even though they were the victor in the southern assassination operation, the warrant officer leading the operatives appeared to be hesitant and reluctant, far from her usual self. Naturally, it was immediately noticed by Lace and Abraham, who were always close to her.


    "You don''t look good, Mercedes. You havepleted your mission, but it seems that it brought you more problems instead." Abraham muttered while staring directly at the silver wolf''s avoiding eyes. "I don''t want to force you in spilling out your problems."


    "But the one beside me might not have the same opinion." He nced at the white-haireddy with ck horns and dark tail. Lace had a cold expression on her face. The results of the SRU in the southern colony practically consumed her office.


    And she wasn''t happy about the things she was hearing regarding the SRU. The supposedly Special-Response Unit of the United Navy had disyed troublesome tendencies and were ineffective in dealing with the rebellion of the south.


    Now, out of nowhere, after sending her best subordinate to deal with the rebellion. She came back different from before, acting strangely as though some dark secrets had spilled itself into light.


    "Lady Lace..." Noticing the expression of the dragoness, Mercedes feltplicated inside her heart. She was used to controlling the situation before her. This was the first time it got out of hand. Because of it, the highest authorities of the United Navy were now interrogating her.


    "Don''t worry, Mercedes. There''s no need to be anxious about the problems you have in mind. The reason why we are doing this is simple. You stand behind us, even though you don''t have much powerpared to the captains. You are still extremely significant to the United Navy."


    "We simply can''t have youpromised for some reason, you know?" Abraham rified the situation, not wanting to appear forceful before his secretary. They simply want her to be honest, and didn''t wish to interrogate her.


    Hearing the calm words of the fleet admiral, Mercedes regained a flicker of determination she had once before Operation Aversatrix Mortem. She gazed at the two highest authorities of the United Navy without a tinge of anxiousness and fear.


    The two of them were the most respected people in her life. They were the ones that gave her hope in living and bing someone anew. Someone who was freed from their past.


    With this in mind, she wanted to be the one that tells them the truth. Mercedes wanted the two of them to be the ones who hear it first.


    "I belong to the United Navy." She stated as though she was speaking of a fact.


    Abraham merely grinned at the silver wolf beastfolk while Lace raised her eyebrows. Despite not being in a good mood, she was open to hearing what her second-hand had to say.


    ...


    A few days ago, in the southern city of Austerus.


    Yote was leading Mercedes and her operatives to maze-like halls. Passing through every corner felt like a guillotine was about to behead him from the back. Some might think he was buying time for the leader, but it was the opposite.


    He was really trying to sell out the leader for his survival. As a ve, he had no intention on being loyal to one individual. As long as someone could give him benefits, it would simply be enough. With his life in the line, he didn''t n in keeping his loyalty.


    While the Latran felt nervous for his life, Mercedes and her men calmly followed from behind, keeping caution at every step. An enemy might appear in a corner, so they needed to be careful. Their guide was wasting their time, but they were patient during the entire short yet long journey.


    Fortunately for them, however... They had finally arrived to where the leader of the rebellion dwelled. The Latran didn''t hesitate to speak about the leader and his important identity in the rebellion.


    Though, during the entire time, he kept ncing at Mercedes, as if trying to make something clear.


    "Yote, have you taken care-" The leader of the rebellion was about to wee his subordinate, expecting him to handle the intruders that had entered his domain. Sadly, it looks like Yote had betrayed him, selling him to the intruders.


    He furrowed his eyebrows after realizing the betrayal. Anger boiled inside his heart, yet he maintained a cold appearance, wondering who these intruders were.


    Mercedes and her operatives soon emerged from the hallway, walking forward without fear. Her men looked forward and their eyebrows were raised upon seeing the appearance of the leader. Mercedes also felt shocked after discerning his identity.


    Espada stepped forward, squinting his eyes as though trying to confirm it. After scrutinizingly observing the leader, he finally muttered under his breath. "Things have beplicated. Is he a tribesmen of yours, Mercedes?" He nced at the frozen first lieutenant.


    The rebel leader was also astonished by the identity of the one intruding his domain. He didn''t expect it to be a fellow nsman, specifically, the one who was exiled from the ind.


    "You must me the girl who was exiled. I didn''t expect you to be alive, and well... Seeing you in this far-offnd is astounding." The rebel leader smirked as the identity of his adversary made it easier for him to n in taking care of them. "How''s your sister?"


    Mercedes who felt fear, at first, heard hisst words. Hatred consumed her heart and mind. The calm-looking silver wolf was nowhere to be found as she red at the rebel leader with deep-hatred.


    "I''ll kill you!" Acting through her emotions, she immediately pointed her desert eagles to the rebel leader and began firing an entire magazines worth of bullets. Seeing her, the rebel leader jumped away and swiftly hid in the darkness, dodging the entire rain of bullets.


    Mercedes gritted her teeth and wanted to chase after the bastard. But before she could take a single step, she felt a hand over her shoulders. She nced at the one stopping her and saw Espada with a serious expression.


    "Calm yourself, First Lieutenant. Otherwise, Lady Lace and Fleet Admiral Abraham would be disappointed." Espada muttered the names of the ones who she ced higher than everyone else inside her heart.


    This gave her a tinge of rity, calming herself in the process. Mercedes''s body shook as she realized what she had done. She had failed the operation and acted through her emotions instead of her rationality.


    "I apologize for my outrage... That bastard brought out some memories I''d rather not remember." Mercedes took a deep breath and apologized to her operatives for acting recklessly during an entire operation. "I''ll ept punishment after the mission."


    "For now, let''splete it." She turned her gaze towards the made-up throne of the rebel leader. He had long disappeared from the throne halls of the rebellion, but she understood the capabilities of her nsmen and knew their tactics.


    "Before that, can you give us some idea about who he is? We need some information to know how to deal with the threat." Since Mercedes seems to know a lot about the rebel leader, Espada wanted to gain information from her.


    Hearing the giant beastfolk, Mercedes didn''t hesitate to exin the identity of the silver wolf bastard. "The rebel leader is part of the Argentum n, an organization of silver wolf assassins. They are quite infamous since they ept any job from intelligence gathering, espionage, and assassination."


    "As long as you have enough gold in your hand, you can ce a bounty in someone''s head. They''ll target anyone, whether it''d be a human, beastfolk, daemon, or sometimes an elf." She expounded to her men, but continued.


    "Their capabilities aren''t to be underestimated, they are assassins. Stealth is their first expertise, assassination second." When the operatives heard the exnation of their first lieutenant. They understood that they couldn''t simply underestimate the rebel leader.


    "So, an assassin, huh?" Espada observed his surroundings and noticed that his instincts weren''t letting him lower his guard down. "How do we handle this guy?"


    ...


    "I didn''t expect the rebel leader to be an assassin..." Abraham muttered under his breath, surprised by the revtion. Though, now that he had thought about it, with the intelligence of the leader. It made sense that rebel leader was an enved assassin.


    "Hmm... I remembering hearing the Argentum n during my time in the Frontier. They were an impressive n of assassins. I didn''t expect you to be a part of them," Lace was somewhat impressed by the identity of her second-hand.


    "Well, I was a part of them. A beastfolk turning into a more-human form wasn''t ever heard of. Because of my Lycanthrope blood, I became akin to a curse in their eyes. When I was a child, me and my older sister were exiled from the n, bing nomads in the sea."


    Mercedes wryly smiled as forgotten memories of the past kept echoing inside her mind. To think that her past would still encroach her, even in this supposedly second life of hers.


    "Regardless of your identity, you''ll always be a part of the United Navy and are important to me, Mercedes." Abraham stated to the silver wolf, whose ears raised after hearing theforting words of the fleet admiral. Her silver tail slightly wagged left and right as she kept calming herself down.


    Lace raised an eyebrow, staring at Abraham. While the middle-aged man merely wryly smiled since he couldn''t simply go back on his word.

 Chapter 166: | 166 | Concluding End

    Abraham coughed and decided to turned the attention of their subject matter back to Operation Aversatrix Mortem. After all, he didn''t want them to be remained in what he had said to the first lieutenant. It wouldn''t do good for him, especially with the dragoness by his side.


    "Returning back to the operation. How did you manage to dispose the enved assassin of the Argentum n, first lieutenant?" He was curious as to how they assassinated the assassin. It would be an interesting story to here.


    Mercedes''s eyebrows was hesitant at first, but with the flickering determination in her heart. She feltpelled to utter the truth, howeverrgely because of the words he had said to her. It made her feel an emotion she hadn''t felt before.


    ''This is a problem.'' Lace squinted her eyes as even though her slightly dense lover wouldn''t be able to perceive it. Her unique and sensitive perception could see it clearly. It was the face of a somewhat lovestruck girl.


    As a dragoness, she was arrogant and wanted hers to be only hers. Even Abraham was a monogamous man, so their love-live could only be with the two of them. However, she wanted Abraham to be an open man.


    Looking at him, she could feel that he hadn''t fully settled into this world. Unlike his subordinates who could easily ept it, he was thrusted into this foreign world without his knowledge. While he appeared to have epted his circumstance, Lace knew that it was far from the truth.


    ''But this is a problem for the future. Let''s handle it as it goes. I''ll let destiny handle it for now.'' Lace felt that there was no need for her to control every aspect of Abraham''s life. The only thing she needed to do was observe his choices and react depending on it.


    Returning to the discussion, Mercedes began exining how the SRU 01 had taken care of the enved assassin. To execute him must have been a difficult endeavor for the operatives under the first lieutenant''smand.


    ...


    "I don''t know how to handle an assassin. I was a child during my time in the Argentum n. I wasn''t there enough to perceive their secrets. But even if he''s an assassin, we are the operatives personally trained by the dragoness herself." Mercedes uttered while the edges of her lips rose.


    "Handling him however we want, that''s what I''m hearing from you." Espada smirked while arming his M2 Browning machine gun. The operatives surrounding Mercedes followed suite, preparing their machine guns and miniguns.


    Mercedes stepped forward and closed her eyelids. She let her senses consume every action and reaction throughout her surroundings. The hum of the darkness, the raging of a torch''s mes, and the dripping of droplets. She could hear it clearly.


    Soon, she opened her eyes and gazed at Yote, who was surprised to be looked at by the first lieutenant. He had already hoped for them to take care of the rebel leader. After all, the leader would be after his hea-


    At this moment, he had finally realized why Mercedes looked at him. Before he could speak another word, he felt his head falling from this body. The rebel leader had beheaded him from behind, instantly killing him in a mere moment.


    "Thank you for reminding me about the Argentum n." Mercedes uttered into the darkness of a particr pir in the throne hall. "Along with serving the United Navy into its utmost glory, I will be hunting all of you down."


    Her operatives didn''t hesitate and immediately fired at the pir. All of them pulled their trigger, bringing about constant shes flickering out of their barrels. A thunderous roar twinkled, echoing throughout the building.


    *BBRRRrrrrrrttttt!*


    *Bbrrrrttt!*


    *Bbbrrttttt!*


    *BBBBRRRRRRTTTTT!!*


    The lone pir had its marble exterior peeled off in a single second. The rumbling followed while pieces of its exterior were sted apart. The wall behind the pir was riddled with bullet holes, signifying how much firepower the operatives had thrown at it.


    Mercedes gave a signal and the operatives stopped firing at the lone pir. She gazed at it with a slight smile and calmly asked. "Are you still alive?" Her words resounded, and what followed was a grunt. Hearing it, her smile became wider.


    "I guess you''re still alive.'' It makes one wonder why she would be delightful to see her enemy alive. Though, the operatives beside her knew well why she was happy. An easy death would be too easy. The more suffering the assassin felt, the more she would be satisfied.


    This was in some way an act of revenge. Though, under the orders of the United Navy.


    "As an assassin, you are a remarkable individual. But the firepower of the United Navy isn''t to be underestimated. And the one before you are disciples of the dragon. The moment you let yourself known was the time you had already lost." Mercedes calmly exined the circumstance of the rebel leader.


    "You are bidding your time to embraced death."


    Espada raised his eyebrows as it was rare for Mercedes to speak this much. Though, it was understandable. His first lieutenant had a grudge against the assassin. A deep hatred that was shackled before, but unleashed now.


    ''He could only me himself for bringing up a sensitive memory. He would have died faster by shutting his mouth.'' The giant Minokin thought to himself, but soon noticed that they didn''t have time.


    He nced at Mercedes and reported. "First Lieutenant, we only have 5 minutes until the bird picks us up." She turned her head towards the Minokin and calmly responded. "I know... And we don''t have to waste our time in this ce."


    "He''s already dead." Hearing her, Espada and the operatives were bbergasted. They couldn''t believe and swiftly but cautiously walked towards the devastated pir. They looked behind it and saw the body of the rebel leader riddled with holesying on the ground.


    "He didn''t immediately die after getting hit by gunfire. He was alive for a few seconds, suffering before dying." Mercedes continued and left the throne hall through the hallway. Meanwhile, her men finally understood the meaning of her words.


    However, this wasn''t the time to be dumbfounded. They needed to get out of the southern city, or they''ll be stranded in a city brimming with rebels. Espada walked up beside the first lieutenant and remarked. "That was rather anti-climatic."


    "It was to be expected. If he was truly strong, he would have begun the rebellion the moment he regained his strength. But instead, he decided to bide his time, signifying his weakness as an individual. He should be the lowest-ranking assassin of the Argentum n."


    Mercedes exined while slowly increasing her pace. It didn''t take long before they were sprinting through the building trying to get out of it. They met with several groups of rebels along the way, but they handled them swiftly and gave them the chance to meet their maker.


    After a few minutes, they were finally out of the building. The problem? They were being chased by a cavalry of rebels. Running away from a cavalry had its own sets of challenges, but it wasn''t something that the operatives of the SRU 01 couldn''t handle.


    Though as they sprinted through the streets, one of the Minokins running behind Mercedes asked her for authorization. "First Lieutenant, Permission to Engaged!" Hearing him, Mercedes shook his head and rejected him without situation. "Don''t engaged!"


    "We will be wasting our time if we fight them. What''s important is we reach the designated Exfil point." Mercedes stated their priority at the moment, which they understood was of utmost importance.


    The group continued running through the streets while getting chased by rebels that now amounted to a hundred. But fortunately for them, they had reached a vast clearing that became their designated Exfil zone.


    Mercedes and her men stopped running, finally cornered by therge group of rebel fighters. Though, before their adversaries could reach them, a thunderous roar resounded from behind. A UA soldier was firing at the rebels with a machine gun, mowing them down in the dozens.


    He stood in the rear loading ramp of the Osprey and smiled at the SRU 01 before him. "First Lieutenant Mercedes, it appears your operation was a sess, congrattions." He uttered while Mercedes and her operatives entered the Osprey.


    "It was because of my responsible subordinates." Mercedes smirked at him while the soldier nodded and kept firing at the charging rebels. The Osprey soon lifted off the ground and immediately thrusted itself into the skies.


    "I guess you have good subordinates." A voice resounded from the cockpit of the Osprey. All of them turned their gaze towards it and saw themanding officer of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, Captain Howard.


    ...


    "Quite an adventure, right, Lace?" Abraham felt as though he had heard an epic of some military veteran. Although most of the situations they were forced into could be a legend in the eyes of ordinary military personnel.


    "Interesting, to say the least. Though, I didn''t expect Captain Howard to leave his warship." Lace remarked, to which Abraham rified. "Ourmanding officers are entric ones. Even you and I couldn''t be considered a normalmander in general terms."


    "That makes sense." Lace nodded in agreement as she was also strange whenpared to the Lieutenant Colonels. Though, she turned her gaze towards the first lieutenant and walked towards her. Abraham raised an eyebrow, but then saw the dragoness patting the silver wolf.


    "You seeded in your mission, so I''m proud of you. But you have to be true to yourself. You''re a lycanthrope, right? Don''t you think that the fleet admiral would be curious about your other form?" The dragoness uttered as she patted Mercedes''s soft head.


    "Eh?" Abraham was confused as he hadn''t stated himself being curious about Mercedes''s more human form. But it was also intriguing in itself since he had heard rumors about it.

 Chapter 167: | 167 | Following Matters

    In the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Abraham stood as he observed vast seas and the lines of its boundless horizon. They were headed east, finding the Construction Yard through a given set of coordinates by Systema.


    Naturally, behind the UNS Trinity of Sce were several frigates, some who were critically damaged and needed to be towed by friendly warships. Although it was a little bit dyed because of the troubles in the south, now that things were settling in, it was time.


    ''A Level 3 Construction Yard...'' It being Level 3 had tons of implications, but most of all, it uttered its capabilities. The Port of Dawn was merely a Level 2 Port. Its applications in the foreign world was already akin to a small city on its own, so he somewhat had high expectations to the new asset.


    ''Well, it shouldn''t take long before we arrived to it. Port Personnel of the Construction Yard had already contacted us, so at least we already know its functional at this very moment.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself and nced at the intelligence officer.


    "How long until our arrival?" He calmly asked the officer, who immediately replied. "It shouldn''t take no longer than half an hour, Fleet Admiral."


    Hearing him, Abraham merely nodded and turned his head towards the second-most highest authority in the United Navy, Vice Admiral Charlotte. The UNS Trinity of Sce was partaking in bombardment operations in the shores of the southern colony before being called in by him.


    ording to reports, the bombardment made the rebels in the coastlines surrender en masse. So, the deployment of the battleship onto the southern colony had its advantages. But with the United Army already making itsnding to the ind of Austerus, it shouldn''t take long before they won.


    "Vice Admiral Charlotte, you have been working hard. Are you still interested in the offer I have given you?" Abraham questioned with a smile. Charlotte raised her eyebrows and responded with the same smile as him. "I''d like to decline, Fleet Admiral."


    When he heard her words, Abraham sighed in disappointment. The offer he had given to the Vice Admiral was a week of vacation. But for some reason, even though not wanting to be overworked, Charlotte was much of an workaholic as he''d like to believe.


    Although he''d like to explore the reason why Charlotte had rejected his offer. He couldn''t keep his attention on the matter since an intelligence officer just gave an important report.


    "Sir, the ind has been detected by our radar systems, it''s no longer than 15 kilometers from us. It shouldn''t take no more than a dozen minutes for it to be seen in the horizon." The Construction Yard had finally been detected, which was a piece of good news.


    Though, he wondered why the radar systems took long to detect a fairlyrge ind such as the Construction Yard. Its concentrated high-frequency of radar signal should have been able to detect it with rtive ease.


    "It seems that the Construction Yard is equipped with lots of radar jammers. Much more than the Port of Dawn, making it difficult for our radar systems to detect it." Charlotte muttered under her breath while Abraham nced at her with an astounded expression.


    He wondered if she could hear his thoughts, which somewhat made him worry as there were things in his thoughts that he didn''t want others to hear. Fortunately, a mechanical bell rang inside his mind, followed by Systema''s reassurance.


    *Ding!*


    | With the Naval Gacha System around, it is impossible for a being in this world to prate the fleet admiral''s mind and read his thoughts. |


    Although Abraham didn''t know where Systema got her confidence, it was somewhat reassuring that not a single one in this world would be able to hear his mind. Who knows what monstrous thoughts they would hear from him.


    "Is there something wrong with my face, Fleet Admiral?" Charlotte tilted her head, wondering why the fleet admiral was staring at her with such an intense gaze. Though, as if realizing something, she squinted her eyes and mumbled. "Isn''t the Problem Dragon already enough?"


    "Ehem! Ehem!" Abraham began coughing as because of Lace''s dragon blood circting throughout his body, his senses had been enhanced to its utmost limits. Her quiet mumbled words were heard clear by the middle-aged man.


    "At any rate, let''s see what this Construction Yard is." He decided to change the subject since it would be too troublesome if he was perceived as a yboy of some sort.


    ...


    A couple of days ago, in the fleet admiral''s office, Abraham watched in amazement as Mercedes transformed into her more-humanoid form, or in simpler terms, her human form. The beautiful anthropomorphic silver wolf became a kemonomimi wolf girl.


    A tall youngdy with quite an innocent and calming charm. With silky pitch-ck hair along with two fluffy silver wolf ears on top and afy-looking silver tail from behind. It was as if he was staring at a long-forgotten dream from his childhood.


    ''I remember when I wanted to meet an actual kemonomimi when I was a teenager.'' During that time, he thought of them as cute and beautiful, especially their animal-aspects which enhanced their beauty.


    Abraham smirked at the first lieutenant and remarked. "Here I thought that there was something wrong with your other form." Lace stood beside Mercedes with a smile and kept ying with her tail. "When I first saw it, I wondered why you didn''t use it so-often."


    "Look howfy this is. Come on, Abraham touch it." Lace uttered while cing her cheeks and rubbing her face onto Mercedes''s fluffy tail. Abraham raised an eyebrow and couldn''t reject it since he was also curious how the tail and ears of a kemonomimi felt.


    With this in mind, Abraham stood up and walked towards the two. He stepped behind Mercedes, who was somewhat frozen and hesitantly touch her tail. It was at this moment he had realized how soft it was. It made him remember the mostfortable pillow he had as a child.


    It felt as though he could sleep a lifetime with her tail around.


    "It''s soft." Abraham muttered while the edges of Lace''s lips rose. After all... Out of nowhere, the fleet admiral heard something inexplicable. *Uhm~* Mercedes lightly moaned and looked at them with crimson-tinted cheeks.


    "This is harassment." She said to the two highest authorities of the United Navy. Abraham immediately took out his hand as though he had done something unforgivable while Lace merely grinned.


    The fleet admiral looked at his lover in shocked and finally realized why she was grinning at him. He was dumbfounded since he didn''t know his lover would drag him to partake in a harassment. "You knew it was harassment..."


    "What''s better than to have the fleet admiral as a partner in crime." Lace replied with utter confidence that made Abraham want to grind her forehead into damnation. But fortunately, he calmed himself and bowed to Mercedes. "Apologies for what I have done, First Lieutenant."


    Seeing the highest authority of the United Navy bow at her and apologize, Mercedes felt as if she had done an unforgivable crime. If the others heard about this, who knows what might happen to her. She immediately shook her heads and rejected his apology.


    "T-There''s no need for the fleet admiral to apologize. You were simply ignorant about it, so I believe you are free from guilt." Mercedes understood that Abraham didn''t know her tail was part of the sensitive parts she''d rather not have touched.


    "Eh... But Abraham still touch it and caressed it you know?" Lace remarked with a smirk stered on her face. On the other hand, Abraham was barely able to control himself from grinding the forehead of this problem dragon.


    "The fleet admiral can do what he likes to me." Mercedes subconsciously dered, and the moment she realized what she had said, her flight instincts consumed her mind. She saluted to Abraham and took her leave, running away in embarrassment.


    As silence consumed the fleet admiral''s office, Abraham straightened his back and gazed at the dragoness beside him. "So, this was your n. What are you trying to do with Mercedes, Lace?"


    He wanted to know what the problem dragon wanted to do with his secretary. Hearing him, Lace merely gave him a smile and softly asked. "What do you think I''m trying to do, Abraham?"


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows after hearing her. Although he already knew what she nned to do, he''d rather not utter it himself. But he wasn''t willing to back down against the dragoness. "I''m a monogamous guy, Lace. I don''t desire more women than you."


    "Oh, how romantic." Lace lightly ced her fingers onto Abraham''s chin and stepped closer to him. "But is that really true?" She softly muttered to his ear, her soft breath gripping it.


    "No matter what you do, or how much you try. You''ll fail, Lace." Abraham uttered with determination since not even the dragoness would be able to change his mind.


    "My, my, Abraham... From your words, is that a challenge for me? Challenging a dragon, it seems that my Abraham have be brave." Lace nibbled his ear, ying with it. Her dominating side was acting up, though she easily took control of it.


    "Nheless, a challenge is a challenge. I expect a reward from this challenge, Abraham. Fortunately for me though, I don''t have to do anything. Patience will be what determines who wins."


    "So, who will be more patient. Me? Or you?" Lace teased while Abraham ced his lips beside her ear, following suite to her recent actions.


    "Bring it on."

 Chapter 168: | 168 | Construction Yard Inspection

    *This is Instation 02, Vulcan. Please confirm...* In the radio of the UNS Trinity of Sce, a transmission from the construction yard connected. Abraham nced at the radio, while the radio operator calmly replied. "This is UNS Trinity of Sce, confirmed."


    *I am Lieutenant Commander Ruman of the Construction Yard Vulcan. Is Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd with you?* The lieutenantmander of Instation 02 humbly asked. The radio operator glimpsed at Abraham, who merely ordered. "Send the transmission to me."


    Hearing him, the radio operator nodded and themunications between the instation and the battleship was now handled by the highest authority of the United Navy. Abraham took a deep breath and then spoke to the other side.


    "I am Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd of the United Navy."


    "You must be curious as to why your ind have been transported into an entirely foreign sea." For almost every summoned individual from the system, they would always have memories of the former world. So, it was the usual to exin the situation to them.


    *Yes, but while I am curious with our circumstance. Your safety has to be confirmed, Fleet Admiral. I am d that you are safe. Vulcan will be under yourmand, following your orders regardless of their difficulties.* It seems that the lieutenantmander in the other side was a loyal one.


    Probably much more fanatically loyal than the lieutenantmander of the Port of Dawn, Morgen. Though, Abraham didn''t mean to createparisons, so he continued on with his thoughts.


    "I appreciate your worries, Lieutenant Commander Ruman. My intelligence officers will be sending our current intelligence to your data base. Be sure to read it carefully to understand this foreign world. Meanwhile, my frigates will need the assistance of your Construction Yard."


    "The naval battle they have fought in the northern seas had been nothing short of dangerous. It was fortunate for them to not have sunk in its treacherous and cold waters." Abraham shortly exined the reason why he had promptly visited the instation.


    *I see... The Construction Yard is in its full operational capabilities. The port personnel handling repairs will be awaiting in the southern docks.* Lieutenant Commander Ruman affirmed, making the fleet admiral gaze at themunication operators.


    "Contact the frigates and send them to the southern docks. We, on the other hand, will maintain our route and dock through the west." Abraham gave a few following orders to themunication operators, who swiftly nodded and ryed it to the frigates behind them.


    He gazed through the windows and saw Vulcan getting nearer to them. It was gigantic, to say the least. To think that an entire ind would be converted into a Construction Yard. But that would be what he would expect from a Level 3 Naval Asset.


    While the UNS Trinity of Sce sailed towards the western docks of Vulcan. The frigates behind rerouted themselves to the south, intending to enter the southern docks as per the orders of the fleet admiral.


    After a few minutes, the UNS Trinity of Sce docked onto the west port riddled with various cranes and docks, along with several giant warehouses where materials for the warships would be stored. It was quite a sight as it appeared more advanced than the docks of the Port of Dawn.


    Especially with the whole autonomous drivers of various cranes, efficiently transporting logistics to their intended destination.


    Abraham went through the metallic hallways of the battleship and finally arrived at the decks where his jet-ck hair was met with the breeze of sea wind. It rustled with care as he immediately got off the battleship, wanting to know more about the Construction Yard.


    Waiting for him on the docks was lieutenantmander Ruman along with his men. The lieutenantmander was a middle-aged man like himself, though unexpectedly Ruman had a crimson-red hair along with a reddish beard.


    "Wee, Fleet Admiral Abraham. It is a great honor for us of the Construction Yard." Lieutenant Commander Ruman lightly bowed and soon saluted to the highest authority of the United Navy. His subordinates followed suite, giving their respects to the fleet admiral.


    "It is an honor for me too. This Construction Yard is an important asset of the United Navy. With it around, it would give us versatility never to be seen before." Abraham responded with a politician''s smile. Though, what he had said wasn''t far from the truth.


    The Construction Yard was of great importance to the naval organization. The growth of the United Navy, while relies on poption, also attaches significance to its ability to increase its warships. After all, the poption needs weapons it could use.


    Hearing the words of the fleet admiral, Ruman lightly chuckled and led him to the rail station of Vulcan. They passed through several warehouses with tons of workers working on maintaining and properly managing them.


    The workers who saw them immediately saluted, holding deep admiration to the fleet admiral of the United Navy. Abraham nodded at them with a smile on his face, but also realized that Vulcan had its own poption independent from the Port of Dawn.


    ''I wonder how many personnel live in this ind. It must be a lot since the Construction Yard requires a lot of workers to fully be operated.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself while walking through the fairlyrge expanse in between the warehouses.


    It didn''t take too long for them to arrive before the rail station of the western Vulcan sector. Lieutenant Commander Ruman gazed at the fleet admiral and proudly announced one of his most prided work in Vulcan.


    "This is the western railwork, connected to the Rail Network Apparatus of Vulcan. This apparatus connects every port of Vulcan to one another, increasing the efficiency of our logistics. I''ll exin more on the way to the centralwork."


    Because of the ind''s fairlyrge size, and the ports scattered throughout it. The creation of a railwork was prioritized, and its construction brought the greater advancement of Vulcan. The connection between each ports made sure that not a single one would be substandard.


    Abraham nodded in understanding and entered the railcar along with the lieutenantmander, heading to the central sector of the Construction Yard. The railcar started slow at first, but soon picked up speed. It was at this moment, Ruman began reporting their status to the fleet admiral.


    "I shall begin the status report of Instation 02 Vulcan, Fleet Admiral." Lieutenant Commander Ruman uttered and continued. "Let us start with the ind, which is a more or less circr ind brimming with channels connecting several ports from each cardinal direction to one another."


    "It has an estimated diameter of 500 kilometers, and houses a dozen of port, three in each direction. Each port has facilities for repair, resupply, and most importantly, warship construction. With our current capabilities, building the United Navy five warships a month is possible."


    "Though, it all depends in what kind of warships the fleet admiral wants us to construct. We can easily build five frigates in ordance to what is avable in our fleet. Three destroyers, two Amphibious Transport Docks, a single America-ss Landing Helicopter Assault, and one nuclear attack submarine."


    Lieutenant Commander Rumen exined the most important part of the Construction Yard, which was its ability to build ships. Abraham hearing his exnation was pleasantly surprised. He didn''t think that Vulcan could easily build three destroyers in a single month.


    But this realization also brought out Abraham''s long forgotten dream. After summoning his first destroyer, the UNS Light Bringer. He had realized the expensiveness of his warships. Now that he had the construction yard in his side, he might be able to build more destroyers than ever before.


    This would significantly increase the firepower of the United Navy and might assist them in facing against threats beyond the sea region of Terra. Before Abraham could continue with his thoughts, Rumen''s following report caught his attention.


    "Our poption from the lowest to the highest ranking personnel should be 20,000. Constructing a warship is not an easy task, and we also need to manage over a dozen port under our ind''s coastlines. So, despite our fairlyrge poption, it is an understandable amount."


    "That should be all, Fleet Admiral. Would you like to build a warship for the United Navy?" Ruman calmly asked since other than repairing severely-damaged warships, the other purpose of the fleet admiral in visiting Vulcan would be the construction of warships.


    "What kind of warships is your supplies able to handle?" Abraham questioned the lieutenantmander, who thought about it for a short second. It didn''t take long before he responded. "Frigates, destroyers, and amphibious ships are within our capabilities, Fleet Admiral."


    "You can order them now, and we can immediately start building the warships." Although it was disappointing that the Lightning Carrier wasn''t included, it was understandable. The America-ss needed aircrafts to operate, which wasn''t within the jurisdiction of the Construction Yard.


    This was another problem that Abraham needed to take care of.


    Nheless, the current construction capability of Vulcan was already far from enough. Though, he couldn''t keep his thoughts attended to it since the railcar they were on was about to arrive to the central sector of Vulcan.


    He gazed through the window and saw a vast industrial sector in the air. It was akin to a metallic city shrouded with machinery. Surrounding massive industries were defenses and fortifications, riddling the sector with every defensive armament that could be possibly deployed.


    There were only two words he could describe it.


    "Steel Fortress..."

 Chapter 169: | 169 | Installation 02 Vulcan

    In the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Vice Admiral Charlotte quietly observed the busy western port of the Construction Yard, also known as Instation 02 Vulcan. The technology of Vulcan was much more sophisticated than the Port of Dawn, this she already realized.


    Nheless, it was a piece of good news. With the instation around, the United Navy would grow much more stronger than ever before. So, she wasn''t that bothered by the differences in technology.


    ''Though... Things have gotten muchplicated than I previously thought.'' She quietly thought to herself while staring in the distance. Beforehand, she met with dragoness, who had given her a ridiculous proposition. It was so astounding that she felt the need to grind the problem dragon''s head.


    But, it was intriguing to say the least.


    ...


    "Stone-faced girl, he''s now open." While Charlotte prepared for her voyage with the fleet admiral into the newly-emerged Construction Yard, Lace appeared inside her office out of nowhere. The vice admiral didn''t flinch as this was the usual when dealing with the problem dragon.


    However... The words of the problem dragon confused her.


    "Open? What do you mean by that?" Charlotte questioned the dragoness, wanting the problem dragon to rify what she had said. Lace merely smirked and shortly responded. "I meant that I meant."


    Hearing her, the vice admiral finally understood what the problem dragon meant. Yet, she furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what had happened between the two. Did they fight while she wasn''t around? Well, it has been a while since spent some time in the Port of Dawn.


    So, things might have happened while she remained ignorant to them.


    "Did the two of you fight or have some disagreements?" Charlotte asked since fighting and disagreements was normal. It was a significant part of loving someone and could blossom a rtionship into something deeper.


    Lace leaned on an office table and replied with a smile. "Well, we didn''t fight to say the least. But we did have some disagreements." She shook her head as though the problem was too troublesome for her.


    Charlotte raised an eyebrow, curious as to what the disagreements were.


    "You see... My Abraham is too much of a charismatic man. Even I have to say, someone of his qualities need more. You and Mercedes... I can see it clearly, and he pretends to be dense about it." Lace coolly exined, but Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows.


    It was as though she had been unknowingly insulted.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Lace." Charlotte decided to turn her attention to what she was doing beforehand, not caring about the following words of the problem dragon. Wasting her time into such useless things wouldn''t do her any good.


    "Charlotte... I know you as much as Abraham knows you. Perhaps more, because I was closer to you in the first months of the United Navy. Don''t you think it seems suspicious? Someone who doesn''t want to do more than necessary keeps doing more than what is needed."


    "It''s as if you are avoiding spending more time in the Port of Dawn. Even Abraham noticed your peculiarity. While you might say you wouldn''t let your emotions affect your duty as the Vice Admiral, I can see where you are releasing it."


    Lace spoke nothing more than the truth. Ever since the beginning of the various operations in the war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. After she and Abraham had consolidated their rtionship as lovers. The stone-faced girl has been partaking in several operations without stop.


    Charlotte stopped her preparations and turned her head towards the problem dragon. For the first time, Charlotte was ring at the dragoness with anger. Though, her re was the final proof of Lace''s words.


    "It seems that I was right."


    "Well, I didn''te here to discuss about your feelings. What I''m trying to say is that thepetition isn''t close." Lace smirked and patted her wrinkled uniform. She walked away from Charlotte, heading towards the door.


    But as she was a foot away from it, Lace heard something that made her excited.


    "What I do isn''t something for you to bother about. And I don''t need your permission to chase after him." Charlotte dered to the dragoness, who merely chuckled and exited the vice admiral''s office.


    "I expect a lot from you." She waved her hands and soon disappeared from Charlotte''s sight.


    ...


    "Why did I even say that." Charlotte shook head and couldn''t help but think that she actually got yed by the problem dragon of all people. ''But nheless, I guess I can''t keep running away from it.''


    She had previously thought that getting herself busy would be enough to take care of any lingering feelings she had towards the fleet admiral. She thought that admitting defeat would make it fade from her heart.


    However, the more she thought of it, the more she became distracted. She always wondered what would happen if it was her in the side of the fleet admiral. Spending time with him, learning more about his feelings, and understanding it deeper with him.


    ''The problem dragon struck first and won. Though, it seems the fleet admiral challenged her. Otherwise, she wouldn''t do something as foolish as this.'' Charlotte lightly chuckled and decided firmly inside her heart. Fleeing from her feelings wasn''t doing her any good.


    It might even put a wench between her and the fleet admiral.


    With this in mind, there was only one path she could take. And that was forward. The flickering light within herself was beginning to grow stronger. It began to demand more from herself.


    It gave her passion.


    "Vice Admiral, is there something wrong?" An intelligence officer stood beside Charlotte and calmly asked. When she heard him, she merely smiled and answered. "There''s nothing wrong. I simply realize that path I wanted to take."


    "I should apologize to you and everyone else in the United Navy. Things would beplicatedter in the line. Who knows what kind of drama would emerge." Charlotte lightly chuckled and felt satisfied with her current self.


    On the other hand, the intelligence officer was confused as to what the vice admiral meant.


    ...


    Back to Instation 02 Vulcan, Abraham rode the railcar and went through the railwaywork of the Construction Yard. In the distance that was getting nearer was the central sector of Vulcan, the industrial city of the instation.


    "Steel Fortress..." He couldn''t help but quietly remark as the industrial city reminded him more of a fortress than anything else. But he quickly shook his head and calmed his heart. Though, out of nowhere, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.


    He raised his eyebrows and gazed back to where he came from. He looked at the direction of the western port and wondered what may have happen to bring a strange feeling into his heart. But since the lieutenantmander appeared to be rx, it looks like it wasn''t anything bad.


    "At any rate, what an industrial city you have here, Lieutenant Commander Ruman. This must be where the materials needed for the construction of warships are made." Abraham remarked, not hiding his admiration of the Construction Yard.


    "As expected of the fleet admiral''s wisdom,"


    "The central sector of Vulcan is known to its inhabitants as Fornax. It is where everything from the tiniest and biggest parts of a warship are built. It is connected to every port in the coastline of this ind, ensuring that every one of them gets supplied the needed amount of materials required."


    Ruman patiently exined to the fleet admiral since it was always admirable for the highest authority of the United Navy to have an interest to their instation. He wasn''t hoping to get a bigger budget, but simply wanted to fleet admiral to know more about them.


    "I see... I guess Fornax is the heart of the Construction Yard, pumping its blood through its veins known as the Rail Network Apparatus." Abraham easily understood the symbology of the instation, which brought a smile on the lieutenantmander''s face.


    It didn''t take long before the railcar entered Fornax. It passed through the industrial city''s interior, giving the fleet admiral a grand scenery of the central sector. Though, the destination of the railcar was at the industrial city''s very center.


    The branch office building of Vulcan, which also had an office of the fleet admiral inside.


    The railcar soon halted in the rail station inside the branch office building. Its metallic doors slid open, unveiling the fleet admiral to the futuristic-looking interior. Several management personnel saw the fleet admiral and swiftly saluted to him.


    Their eyes were filled with admiration as they couldn''t believe that the fleet admiral was actually visiting their instation.


    "Quite a cool-looking abode you have here, Lieutenant Commander." Abraham smirked while stepping into the branch office building of Vulcan. It looked entirely different from the government-aesthetic of the Port of Dawn. It was more akin to a futuristic administrative building of the future.


    "It was through the hard work of every personnel in the Construction Yard that brought Vulcan to where it currently stands." Hearing the words of Ruman, Abraham smiled, remembering his past self of being humble of everything.


    Though, it was not like he had changed. He was more or less the same, though maybe less merciful. The assassination had changed his perspective in life. It made him realize how someone would be willing to go so far as to simply kill him. It wasn''t even out of anger, but mere annoyance of his existence.


    "Whatever you say, Lieutenant Commander. I''d like to explore more of Fornax. I want to know where our vital shipponents are being built and how the logistics of this ce work. Perhaps, I''ll learn something important." Abraham wanted to have a deep understanding of the instation.


    So, he wanted to explore its nook and cranny.


    "Allow me to guide the fleet admiral." Ruman lightly bowed.

 Chapter 170: | 170 | Returning to the Port of Dawn

    Between the seas of the Port of Dawn and Vulcan, the UNS Trinity of Sce was sailing back to where it came from as it had alreadypleted what it had sought to do in the Construction Yard. In the bridge of the modernized battleship, Charlotte nced at the fleet admiral and asked with a smile


    "So... how was the instation? Did it satisfy you, Fleet Admiral." Abraham noticed the vice admiral''s calm demeanor, which was a lot more different than the recent cold, deep ocean-like stature. Before, he could feel a mental pressure from her, but now... It appears things have calmed down.


    This was a piece of good news for the fleet admiral.


    Abraham smirked and answered while staring at the lines of the boundless horizon. "It was more than satisfying, Charlotte. Vulcan was much more amazing than I had previously thought." He didn''t hide his amazement regarding the instation.


    "Have you heard about its capabilities?" He looked at Charlotte and asked, wondering if she had heard about its remarkable capacity in ship building. Charlotte leaned forward and gazed at the horizon before responding. "The intelligence officers told me about it."


    "The fact that it has the ability to construct five frigates in a single month is outstanding. With Vulcan around, the only thing we have to worry is the manpower and materials for such warships." Charlotte continued and kept staring into the distance.


    Seeing that the vice admiral didn''t desire to continue their conversation, Abraham decided to stop speaking and also watched the afternoon scenery of the seas. It has been a long time since he had transmigrated into this world.


    Now that he had spent more time in this strange, fantasy-like world. Perhaps... It was time for him to call it home. After all, it was the world where he had woken up and started anew. Not only as the fleet admiral of the United Navy, but also as a new person.


    Though, before he could continue thinking about it, Charlotte asked him an unexpected question. "Abraham, have you ever wondered whether or not you should achieve your dream?" It was rare for her to call him by his name. Usually, she would maintain distance by calling him fleet admiral.


    Nheless, he needed to answer this question of hers.


    "It''s not about you should whether achieve it or not. It''s about how you achieve it." Abraham answered like the wise sage that he was. Surprisingly, this answer came up without the help of his precious partner, Systema. At any rate, he continued speaking of his thoughts about her question.


    "Everyone deserves to dream, Charlotte. Every one of us have dreams we want to seee true. As long as nobody gets killed in the process of your achieving your dream. Then, move forward with it." Though, he wondered what her dream was.


    Hearing the answer of Abraham, the edges of Charlotte''s lips rose. Her grayish eyes flickered with rising determination, solidifying it into something that would never be broken. She couldn''t help but quietly thought to herself. ''You brought this to yourself, Abraham.''


    "I see... Thank you for your thoughts, Abraham. I appreciate it." Charlotte couldn''t stop smiling and slowly walked out of the bridge, nning to head to her quarters. Abraham gazed at her and also smiled. "d I could help."


    The UNS Trinity of Sce continued sailing through the watery tides of the sea. The weather was clear as flocks of birds flew in a pointing formation, heading south. It was calm, a well-deserved peace for everyone onboard the modernized battleship.


    Though, Abraham couldn''t help but wonder that things were beginning to calm down in the United Navy. He had also seen the rare sides of Charlotte and Mercedes, the most aloofdies he had seen in his life. Which... In his eyes, were worth it.


    It didn''t take long for the UNS Trinity of Sce to arrived to the Port of Dawn. The modernized battleship docked itself onto the port, and its personnel departed then from the metallic vessel of war. Abraham followed suite along with Charlotte, and the two were met with the problem dragon and his secretary.


    "Abraham, how was the journey? Did something interesting happen?" Lace asked with a teasing smile while ncing at Charlotte. The vice admiral merely squinted her eyes and didn''t utter a single word while Abraham responded, not knowing what Lace meant by interesting.


    "Well, I guess the Construction Yard is much bigger than previously thought? Its capabilities could propel us forward, for about a few years into the future." Hearing Abraham''s answer, Lace''s shoulders slouched, clearly disappointed.


    "What? Is it not interesting enough?" Abraham raised his eyebrows, curious if he had disappointed the dragoness in some sort. Lace sighed and pouted while turning her head away from him. "I want something more interesting."


    "Yeah, yeah, I''ll bring something interesting in the future." He waved his hands and walked away, nning to return to his home. The day has been tiring for him. There was a lot of responsibilities, and tomorrow would be the same.


    Meanwhile, the three were left in the docks, staring at the back of the fleet admiral. They kept at it until he disappeared from their sight, to which Lace immediately turned her gaze towards Charlotte. "Here I thought you would start chasing after him."


    "Why didn''t anything interesting happen? What happen to your confident response?" Lace was clearly disappointed since nothing had happened between Charlotte and Abraham in their short voyage together.


    "Whether I do something or not isn''t for you to decide, Lace. Besides, I have started chasing after him. And I''ll take my steps as slowly and surely as possible." Charlotte answered with a confident smile, not nning to back down in front of the dragoness.


    "Couldn''t you simply force him down and consummate your love together?" Lace tilted her head as slowly and surely wasn''t in her vocabry. It was better to takerger strides, conquering everything in the way.


    "Why would I even do such a thing to him? And, why are you suggesting it to me?" Charlotte shook her head, appalled by the words of the problem dragon. She wondered about the mental capacity of the dragoness to suggest such an abhorrent action.


    "Besides, even if I follow your suggestion. He''s much more stronger than me, so it wouldn''t work at all. I''ll save myself from the embarrassment." She''d rather avoid looking like a fool in front of Abraham. Just imagining it feeling was enough to make her stomach feel sick.


    "Wait, don''t tell me... You want to be the one being forced down?" Lace grinned while she made a teasing gesture of a finger and a hole doing it. Charlotte''s cheeks dyed in crimson tint, and felt somewhat shameful for even daring herself to imagine it.


    "Shut up, Lace! I don''t need you poisoning my mine." Charlotte red at the dragoness with her face a bit reddish from shame. "I don''t think I need to poison your already poisonous mind." Lace shook her head as though stating a fact.


    "Should I be here?" Hearing a third voice in their chatter, Lace and Charlotte promptly stopped as the human-form Mercedes stood beside them. In terms of beauty, she could stand in the same realm as them, signifying her as amongst the challengers.


    "Is she the same?" Charlotte calmly asked the dragoness, who coolly nodded. She had forgotten that her second inmand was with them. She didn''t want to appear foolish in front of her subordinate. Though looking at Mercedes, she realized that she had the same face as before.


    "It seems that even the secretary is chasing after Abraham. Are you nning to create an army, Lace?" She questioned since their numbers were increasing by the moment. She could already feel how troublesome they would be to Abraham.


    "Well, it''s not I''m simply making anyone interested of Abraham, a challenger." Lace calmly smiled while the breeze of wind ruffled her silver hair. "The reason why I epted the two of you is simple."


    "It''s simply because other than Abraham, the two of you are my most trusted individuals." The dragoness wasn''t lying, there was no need for her to lie about the truth. She trusted them more than anyone else, except for Abraham, of course.


    Charlotte lightly chuckled and remarked. "I would have thought of you as an imposter if I was ignorant of your power. I didn''t think you would be capable of uttering such words." In her mind, Lace was a problem dragon. A troublesome person, though someone she also considered important.


    "Heh... I''m more than capable of saying many words. Do you want to hear what I say to Abraham? Ah-" Before Lace could moan even further, Charlotte grinded her forehead and apologized to the secretary. "Sorry about the problem dragon, Mercedes."


    "I am already used to it, Vice Admiral." Mercedes replied since the shenanigans of her superior was something she also needed to deal with. "There''s no need to be formal, call me by my name." Charlotte didn''t feel the need for the three of them to be formal with each other.


    "I-I guess so, Cha-Charlotte." Mercedes turned her head away with a crimson tint on her cheeks. Lace smirked at seeing such a scene, while Charlotte merely smiled.


    Charlotte looked at two of them and invited them to go out with her. "Why don''t we eat in a restaurant? A girls night out. I''ll be the one paying." At first, Lace wasn''t interested. But hearing Charlotte paying for it, she immediately raised her hand, wanting to join.


    Mercedes also nodded, curious about what a girls night out meant.


    With that, the three ate together in a restaurant somewhere in the Port of Dawn.

 Chapter 171: | 171 | The Meeting of Superiors

    Early in the morning, the golden sun slowly rose from the lines of the boundless horizon. Daylight was brought into the world as it pierced through the passing clouds of the orange-transitioning skies. It was the beginning of a new and peaceful day for the sea region of Terra.


    But it was also the day when the final act of the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion of Terra would be consolidated. The Meeting of Superiors.


    In the western seas between the archipgo and the ind of Crescere, UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas sailed through the morning tides with relentless force. The lightning carrier was returning back to the Port of Dawn, with it were the revolutionaries of the Liberation Front.


    "I-I can''t believe we have been called by the fleet admiral." Hermona muttered with a dumbfounded expression, unable to face the reality before her. Tora and Leonidas, although wanting to maintain a brave front, couldn''t as they would be meeting the highest authority of the United Navy.


    Hermona thought of the Liberation Front as nothing more but a small group of revolutionaries wanting to free all ves in the hands of tyrants. They haven''t even liberated an entire colony on their own yet. They required the assistance of the United Navy to even stand against their adversaries.


    Nevertheless, the truth was already in front of her. There was nothing she could do about it, so the only path she could take was forward. She must endure, improvise, and adapt to whateveres up her way. Though, Hermona nced at the two beastfolk chiefs behind her.


    Her heavy heart enveloped with pressure felt the lightening glow of having herrades with her. With them around, it felt as though nothing was impossible. But, she didn''t want this feeling to cloud her judgement and mind. After all, they will be heading to the capital of the United Navy.


    "There''s no need to worry. As long as we don''t do anything problematic or troublesome in theirnd, they shouldn''t do anything bad to us." Tora uttered with a brave expression, not wanting to back down before the challenges of destiny.


    "For someone so brave, you sure are shaking." Leonidas remarked, staring at the trembling tiger beastfolk. Well, he was also slightly trembling since it seemed that they were entrapped in this ce the United Navy calls quarters. It was akin to a false imprisonment, where it felt like they were shackled.


    "Bravery isn''t about not having fear. But having the ability to face it regardless of how much the odds of fate are against you. We are entering the capital of a powerful force. We must tread carefully if we wish to return home." Tora responded with the most sagely-answer possible.


    "Okay, brave one. Let''s see where this bravery of yours go." Leonidas sighed, not wanting to bother with the tiger anymore. Hermona chuckled at the conversation between the two. With them around, it wouldn''t be a boring voyage.


    Before anyone of them could continue their conversation, a knock resounded from their metallic door. *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* It resounded throughout their quarters, attracting the attention of the three. Tora and Leonidas gazed at their rebel leader as if signaling her to open it.


    Hermona felt astounded by the gaze of her two most trusted subordinates. But it was also understandable. She must be the first one that steps forward while the others follow behind. With this in mind, she mustn''t lose sight of their path as liberators.


    She stepped forward with the weight of her fellow liberators on her shoulders. Arriving in front of the metallic door, she slowly opened it and what emerged from it was none other than themanding officer of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, Rear Admiral George.


    "Good morning, Miss Hermona. I''m sure you already know of my identity. I have called upon you to converse in the bridge of this vessel. You can bring your friends along with you if you''refortable of being alone." Rear Admiral George was straightforward.


    He immediately stated why he was in front of her, knocking on her quarters. Out of respect, or perhaps a tinge of fear, Hermona immediately bowed and responded. "Thank you for calling me, Rear Admiral."


    Rear Admiral George lightly chuckled at her actions and shook his head. "There''s no need for you to bow, Miss Hermona. You are a guest of the United Navy, there''s no need for you to act in such a way." Bowing wasn''t that popr in the United Navy.


    Though, if the fleet admiral was in front of them, everyone in the UN would be willing to bow and maybe kowtow to the highest authority.


    "Besides, you are the leader of the Liberation Front. The Fleet Admiral expects a lot from your organization." Following such a statement, Rear Admiral George walked away and soon disappeared at the end of the metallic hall.


    Hermona closed the door to her quarters and looked back at her subordinates. Each of them began coughing as they just let a girl, even though she was their leader, move onward into what they perceived as danger.


    "Ehem, I didn''t have the chance to open the door since you were too quick for me. But as expected of the leader. You didn''t have an ounce of hesitation." Tora gave Hermona a thumbs up and a smile. Leonidas, on the other hand, kept shaking his head in shame.


    "At any rate, I don''t think we should keep them waiting." Leonidas uttered after reminding himself of how shameful he was. To think he would act like Tora, just the thought of it made him wonder whether or not his ancestors were disappointed at him.


    Hearing him, Hermona realized that the rear admiral had just called for them. They shouldn''t waste any more time and immediately head to the bridge of this warship. "We have no time to waste! Let''s go!" Without hesitation, Hermona got out of her quarters while the two followed from behind.


    "Isn''t she quite an excited one." Leonidas muttered to himself while quickly following their leader into the maze-like metallic halls of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. Tora lightly chuckled andmented. "She''s our leader after all."


    As the three went through the interiors of the warship, it didn''t take long for them to arrive in the bridge. This was with the guidance of the intelligence officers, of course. During most of time, they got lost and wasted more time in the seemingly never-ending hallways of the Lightning Carrier.


    Rear Admiral George gazed at the three who were exhausted from their short journey in trying to find the bridge of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. Staring at them for a short moment, he couldn''t help but release a chuckle and decided to begin their briefing.


    The reason why they were called into the bridge was fairly simple. George needed to give them a briefing about what they should do during the entire meeting.


    "Alright, I''ll start the briefing. This will be about what rules you should follow before, during, and after the meeting." Hearing his words, the three firmly nodded, to which he continued their briefing. "You mustn''t stray off the determined path. A Humvee will be picking you up, and if you want to explore the Port of Dawn..."


    "You must ask for permission." George reminded the three of them the importance of asking permissions. It would prevent misunderstandings between the two and wouldn''t cause trouble along with extra paperwork for those working in the security of the Port of Dawn.


    "I''ll do as you say, Rear Admiral George." Since she was stepping into an entirely new territory, it was better to maintain cautiousness and not act in a way that could cause misunderstandings. Seeing Hermona''s understanding, George smiled in satisfaction.


    "Good, since our short briefing has concluded. How about you look at our destination." Rear Admiral George turned his head towards the windows of the bridge. Beyond the glossy tinted ss was the famous Port of Dawn of the United Navy.


    Hermona stepped forward, amazement evident in her eyes. The towering buildings in the coastline was an engineering marvel, especially when one remembers that no one in the United Navy could utilize magic. They built everything through their ingenuity and intelligence.


    Leonidas and Tora also looked at the capital of the United Navy. It was grander than they had expected, reminding them of how small they were in this massive world.


    ...


    In a Humvee heading towards themand center of the United Navy, located deep within the defense sector. Hermona calmly observed through the tinted windows and saw beastfolks along with humans living life together. It even looked more better in the inside.


    Everyone seemed happy with their lives, content of what they had.


    It was something she desired the most. Seeing it aplished before her eyes made her realize that her dream wasn''t as impossible as she had previously thought. She nced at herpanions, who also watched the scene in amazement.


    "I didn''t think that humans and beastfolks would be living together without much of a problem." Tora quietly muttered under his breath as it was a bit too astounding for him. Nheless, the truth dwelled before them and there was nothing he could do about it.


    Hermona smiled as the Port of Dawn had be her proof of concept. She wanted the ind archipgo to be like the Port of Dawn, everyone united in one banner.


    It didn''t take long before the Humvee arrived to its destination. Hermona opened the door and got out of the metallic car, gazing onward into the dome-shaped building. Near its entrance, she noticed the Minister of Minos entering the building and was reminded that she wasn''t the only representative in the meeting.


    ''Alright, Hermona. Keep yourself together!'' She resolved herself and moved forward into the entrance of themand center. Leonidas and Tora quietly followed her from behind, still dumbfounded by the grand and modern sceneries of the Port of Dawn.

 Chapter 172: | 172 | The UN Assembly

    Hermona walked through the vast and grandiose hallway of themand center. Beside her were Leonidas and Tora, her importantpanions. And in front was the representative of the State of Minos, the War Minister. To think she would have a meeting with the bigwigs.


    It made her already determined heart, somewhat nervous. Though, Leonidas stepped forward and gave her the needed boost of confidence. "Even though you''re only the leader of the Liberation Front, you are also a representative of all the tribes in the archipgo."


    "It''s understandable why they would call for you. In their eyes, you are the voice of the tribes, the speaker of the archipgo." His words resounded inside her mind, sparking her courage. What he said was correct. She was the leader of the Liberation Front, thus the representative of the tribes.


    While her authority weren''t much inparison to the other representatives, she still stands in the Assembly Hall with them as equals.


    "Thank you for that, Leonidas. I appreciate it." Hermona beamed a cute smile to the chief of the Leon tribe, making him cough extensively. Tora merely chuckled at the reaction of Leonidas, though kept his attention forward.


    The three continued walking through the impressive hallway and soon arrived to their destination. It was an incredibly vast circr room filled with seats along with seven supporting pirs. This was the one and only Assembly Hall of the United Navy.


    The representatives followed one another and sat beside each other as to familiarize themselves with their respective allies. Determination the rtionship of each inds was part of the politics that they needed to handle.


    Sitting on her chair, Hermona curiously observed the Assembly Hall with interest. Leonidas and Tora merely stood behind her, acting as though they were her confidants and bodyguards, which wasn''t that far from the truth.


    In her right was the War Minister, also known as the Minister of Minos. He had a friendly smile on his face and introduced himself to the youngdy. "Good morning, Lady Hermona. I have heard a lot about you. I am Escudo, the War Minister of the State of Minos."


    "I believe you have met by older brother, Espada."


    As he mentioned Espada, Hermona finally realized that the one in front of her was none other than the friendly giant Minokin''s young brother. She smiled at the War Minister and shook his head. "Sir Espada was one of the many heroes that became the foundation of the Liberation Front."


    "I respect him very much."


    "I guess my older brother is working hard in the United Navy." Escudo lightly chuckled and continued. "I have heard about you liberating alongside the United Navy at the archipgos in the west. Must have been a tough battle."


    "Yes, I won''t deny that it was a difficult battle in the capital of Eisenberg. Nheless, it was a battle that liberated us from the tyranny of the colony." Hermona responded while keeping her glowing-like smile. Escudo nodded and replied. "A battle for liberation is always worth it."


    Before the two of them could continue their conversation, a voice resounded from the back, attracting their attention. He was a handsome middle-aged man with jet-ck hair and coal-like eyes. He body was wide and firm, signifying that he was much stronger than a normal human.


    "Hello." It was but one word.


    However, it was as if it demanded for their attention. Escudo lightly nodded to the middle-aged man and introduced himself. "I am Escudo, please to meet you." Hermona swiftly followed suit, introducing herself to the handsome uncle. "I am Hermona of the Liberation Front, nice to see you."


    "There''s no need to be tense. I heard a lot about the two of you. The younger but more politically-inclined brother of the War Chief Espada, and the infamous leader of the Liberation Front. The stories of your lives echoes in the sea." The middle-aged man uttered with a smile.


    Though, his gaze soon directlynded at Hermona alone. A smirk emerged on his face as he remarked. "A human of this world leading a revolution. It''s as believable as the sun rising from the west. Nheless, it happened. After all, nothing in this world is impossible."


    "You are the first, Hermona. But you wouldn''t be thest. Though, I must say." The middle-aged man closed his eyelids, but then gave her a thumbs up. "You''re as impressive as the rumors I have heard about you."


    While he kept spouting nonsense, Hermona merely tilted her head in confusion, wondering who this man was and why he was so interested of her. However, before she could question why, thest two representatives have finally arrived in the Assembly Hall.


    These representatives were the respective lieutenantmanders of the Port of Dawn and Vulcan. Ruman and Morgen walked through the hall, arriving near the seats of the two early representatives. Though, before they took their seat, the two saluted to the middle-aged man.


    They straightened their back and uttered under their heavy breaths. ""Good morning, Fleet Admiral."" Hearing them, the middle-aged man merely nodded and calmly replied. "Good morning, thank you for working hard."


    The reason why Abraham appeared so early in front of the representatives was the simple fact that he wanted to know them better. While various reports spoke of their personalities. Reality was often different from a few words written on a paper.


    Abraham stood up and stretched his limbs upward. He looked at the shocked War Minister and Revolutionary Leader, feeling a bit of satisfaction from their reactions. However, he didn''t have the time to continue conversing with them. Especially when the Assembly was about to start.


    "While I''d like to continue talking with the two of you personally, the event for the day is about to begin. I''ll take my leave for now, but I''ll expect a word from the two of you after the Assembly." He smiled at the two representatives before walking away with satisfaction in his mind.


    For the first time, he had met them. Individuals who made a name for themselves amidst the adversities that surrounded their lives. And he was satisfied.


    On the other hand, Escudo and Hermona were still dumbfounded by their recent interaction with the supposedly highest authority of the United Navy. One wouldn''t expect the seemingly talkative handsome middle-aged man to be the fleet admiral.


    "Good day, Miss Hermona and Sir Escudo. I am Lieutenant Commander Morgen of the Port of Dawn. And this is Lieutenant Commander Ruman of the Construction Yard Vulcan." Morgen introduced himself to the two, bringing them out of their trance.


    Escudo nodded in understanding, while Hermona kept nodding. She couldn''t believe that the handsome uncle was the fleet admiral. The one who she had apparently talked to when she asked for help in the liberation of the archipgo.


    He was the same as she had imagined. Especially with that tone of his, the causal and straightforward behavior that doesn''t appear to care about anything.


    "Hermona... Why is this ce scary?" Tora was losing most of his color since his instincts were screaming at him when the handsome middle-aged man appeared behind them out of nowhere. Leonidas was also furiously sweating since it felt as though he got stared at by a bigger predator.


    "As her confidants, you need to act calm even if you aren''t." Escudo gazed at the two with a serious expression, though his limbs were still trembling. For the first time, he had felt the feeling of fear that his primal ancestors had gotten from being chased by predators.


    Hearing his advice, Tora and Leonidas regained themselves, calming their hearts. The Minokin was right, they had to be brave for the sake of their leader. Otherwise, they would be nothing more but deadweight if they always had the leader take the lead.


    "There''s no need for all of you to fear the fleet admiral. Besides, aren''t you our lives. Why are you acting as though were the same as the ones that enve you." Lieutenant Commander Morgen uttered to the group of beastfolks.


    Hermona gazed at the lieutenantmander and lightly bowed to him while also apologizing. "Sorry for the disrespect, Lieutenant Commander Morgen. We simply don''t feel up to standard in a foreign ce such as this. I hope you won''t take offense."


    "I guess that makes sense. I also apologize for what I had said." Morgen smiled at Hermona and sat beside all of them along with Ruman, who appeared to be curiously looking at the group of beastfolks and a lone human girl.


    ...


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the Assembly Hall, Lace smirked at Abraham who had just returned from his first meeting with Hermona and Escudo. "So, how were the two of them? Are they interesting?"


    Abraham nced at Lace and replied. "Well, they are interesting, to say the least. Especially that Hermona, she seems to dream like me. Though, you should have seen their faces when they realized who I was." He grinned at the dragoness, who lightly chuckled.


    "Was the visit really necessary, Fleet Admiral?" His secretary, Mercedes, sighed at the shenanigans her superiors were partaking in. She couldn''t help but feel sorry to those who unknowingly participated in what they ever had in mind. How saddening to be dragged along by the highest authorities of the United Navy.


    "It was necessary, Mercedes. It makes me see who they really were, not who they present to me." Abraham calmly responded as an intelligence officer stepped forward and handed a stack of paper onto his arms. He could only hold it tightly despite disliking it to his bones.


    After all, it was now his turn to the his job.


    "Let''s begin the UN Assembly."

 Chapter 173: | 173 | The First Summit

    In the Assembly Hall of the United Navy''smand center, the representative of the allied inds under the influence of the UN sat in unison within their respective seats. They awaited for the beginning of the conference, themencing of the First Summit.


    Fleet Admiral Abraham slowly walked forward into an elevated stand in the assembly with Lieutenant Colonel Lace and Vice Admiral Charlotte following behind him. Their expressions calm, though expectant about what was about to unfold.


    The representatives of the allied inds gazed at him with different expressions. Some with a tinge of admiration, most with deep respect. It didn''t take a moment for the fleet admiral to sitfortably to where he belongs, starting the first official conference.


    Hermona stared at the fleet admiral, noticing the different attitudes between the easy-going she had recently met and the most respected figure of the United Navy before her. It made her want to know him more, especially ask him about why he created the naval organization.


    But before that, the First Summit was about to begin. She needed to throw her entire attention to the conference as to not embarrassed the Liberation Front in front of the United Navy. She didn''t want to appear like an idiot who wouldn''t listen astutely.


    Abraham observed the representatives of the allied inds within the United Navy''s scope of influence. His interest unwavering while his mind introduced the information of each representatives once again.


    First was the established beastfolk nation, State of Minos. It was led by the War Minister Escudo, the younger brother of Second Lieutenant Espada. The State of Minos had a poption of Minokins and integrated beastfolks of 10,000. Their poption was booming along with the economy.


    The second was the recently liberated archipgo under the influence of the Liberation Front. Although a nation hasn''t been established between the tribes of beastfolks, through the leadership of Hermona, the revolutionary leader. It shouldn''t take for a country to emerge in the west.


    Third and fourth weren''t as interesting as the first two since he already hadplete information over them. Thesest two were the Port of Dawn and Vulcan, the most important assets of the United Navy up to date.


    The Port of Dawn had its poption grow beyond the mark of 40,000. With it, economy was advancing as the cirction of money had begun to spiral upward. Such economic boost had gone even further with the official introduction of UN Dors, the official currency of the United Navy.


    Through the UN Dors and its influence over the economy of the Port of Dawn as well as the State of Minos, the United Navy had a good grip of its financial system.


    The introduction of Vulcan as part of the United Navy''s assets had skyrocketed the worth of UN Dors even further. Especially when gold itself was getting converted in banks, solidifying the foundation of the United Reserve.


    At any rate, these members of the allied inds were of vast importance to the United Navy. They would further assist the naval organization in its growth as a hegemonic force in the Ferus sea. Or perhaps even going beyond it... The Seven Seas.


    Though, for the economy to be even more well-epted. Inter-ind trade was needed. Goods have been transporting out of the Port of Dawn since the establishment of the State of Minos. Their economic rtionship with one another was beyond satisfactory.


    But it was time to go beyond. Perhaps contact other nations outside of the United Navy''s influence. Maybe somewhere in the vast ocean, they might get a lucrative trade offer from a random rich country who could be interested in their products.


    However, Abraham didn''t n in wasting his time about how the economy of the United Navy was growing. The reason for the conference was fairly simple. It was to discuss about their next ns regarding their current war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    He closed his eyelids and took a calm breath. Opening his eyes, a serious atmosphere immediately engulfed the Assembly Hall. It wasn''t the moment for him to be easy-going. After all, they would be discussing the war.


    "Let''s begin the First Summit of the UN Assembly Hall, recorded in the United Year 01."


    "Our topic in this conference will be primarily about the war against a difficult adversary far in the north. I''m talking about the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Mymanding officers, strategists, and intelligence officers have eluded to me one single action."


    "It was to end the war effort through victory. While peace makes us stronger over time, it also makes them better and a lot more difficult to defeat. If we take our time and pretend to be at peace, it wouldn''t take long before they would put the battlefield in our home inds."


    Abraham calmly expounded to the representatives of the allied inds, two of which, held their breaths upon hearing his words. But his following words brought one of them into rity. "The conference is open for query."


    When Escudo heard of it, he slowly stood up and met the gaze of the fleet admiral. Even though he was bigger than the middle-aged man, the War Minister felt an instinctual dread emanating from his heart. Regardless, however, he must speak as he desire.


    "Apologies for the query, Fleet Admiral. But does this mean that the United Navy desires to enact a final confrontation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra?" It was an important question as it would probably take hold of the entire conference from then onwards.


    Abraham looked at the Minokin, but then smiled. He soon responded at the War Minister with calm. "Correct, Minos Representative. The United Navy will be assuming a final operation of this war against the home ind of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Once they fall, the sea region would be free from their control."


    "There... We will find peace in our seas."


    "However, the reason for this conference is one simple fact. The United Navy cannot act on the operation alone, so we desire for some assistance from your inds. Any assistances will be appreciated." Abraham uttered the actual reason for the summit.


    The logistics, manpower, and resources to operate an actual confrontation along with beachnding against a well-prepared and heavily fortified adversary was extremelyrge. If they weren''t careful, it would also be brimming with casualties.


    Naturally, the United Navy couldn''t do this alone without the risk of having their entire military powerpromised. So, they needed help from their allies to mitigate the risk. It would be problematic if other colonial dominions took the upper-hand from the weakened United Navy.


    War Minister Escudo thought about the words of the fleet admiral and found nothing wrong about it. The United Navy has been assisting the Minokins since the beginning of their nation''s establishment. Not only that, the peace of the State of Minos was heavily reliant on the UN.


    It wouldn''t do good if the United Navy bes too affected by the confrontation against the final stand of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It wouldpromised their peace, which immediately determined the decision of the War Minister.


    "The State of Minos will be assisting the United Navy in their battle against the Colonial Dominion, Fleet Admiral. Our country will discuss the degree of our assistance privately." Escudo responded with great resolve, making Abraham nod in satisfaction. "Thank you, Minos Representative."


    Afterward, his gaze was pointed at the remaining representative within the allied inds. Hermona looked at him, though hesitance was in her eyes. Although she was willing to fight against the Colonial Dominion of Terra, the tribes in the archipgo were in a state of recovery.


    Fighting another battle might affect the archipgo too much in the long term. But it was also their duty as members of the Liberation Front to fight against the Colonial Dominion. Otherwise, history would see them as nothing more but advocates of a false name.


    She nced at herpanions who gazed at their with expectant expressions. It was at this moment that she had realized she wasn''t alone in her endeavors for Liberation. The members of the Liberation Front knew what they had signed up when they fought with against the colony of Eisenberg.


    With this in mind, her heart burned with resolve. She became resolute as she had determined a decision within her mind. She looked at Abraham directly in the eyes, unafraid of his gaze. Her supple lips opened while the following words escaped her mouth.


    "The Liberation Front will be fighting with the United Navy." It was a simple yet straightforward statement. It wasn''t a politically diverted one, but a straight-up deration. Leonidas and Tora grinned as they realized that they hadn''t chosen the wrong leader.


    Hearing her words, Abraham smirked as the human girl always surprised him. Even though she didn''t have a great knack in politics, she had the best qualities of a leader. Her straightforward deration of their assistance was something to be impressed about.


    Lace and Charlotte gazed at the human girl, the so-called revolutionary leader of the Liberation Front. They hadn''t expected much from her, but after hearing her response. They had be intrigued with the supposed leader.


    "Admirable words, Hermona of the Liberation Front. The United Navy appreciates your resolve in this battle for liberation." The words of the fleet admiral resonated throughout the Assembly Hall. The war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra wasn''t simply for dominance in the sea region.


    It was a statement to every colonial dominion in the Ferus Sea.


    The United Navy fights for liberation.


    It shall be, as always, be free,

 Chapter 174: | 174 | Subsequent Moments

    After discussing about the final operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra in the conference of the First Summit, the representatives of the allied inds and the fleet admiral began conversing about the economic prosperity of each ind and the whole alike.


    The discussion was primarily about the trade of goods between inds and the eptance of UN Dor as the official currency of the allied inds under the United Navy. The price of goods, service, and manufacturing were explicitly stated by the fleet admiral.


    In turn, the allied inds were also free to trade their own goods to the United Navy like the first-established nation of beastfolks in the sea region of terra, the State of Minos. Before things could be heavy in the economics, the conference moved on into the defensive ties of the UN.


    One after another, defensive treaties were written as to allow member inds of the United Navy to ask for help when they are being attacked by hostile enemies. But for this to be actualized, the member ind mustn''t be the first one that starts the confrontation.


    Some defensive treaties wereplicated, others were simple. The territorial waters between inds were considered as free waters as to allow mingling of cultures and people in the authority of the United Navy. Though, naturally, rules regarding seafaring vessels would have to be built.


    Other than the defensive talks and the economic discussion, there weren''t much interesting thing to say in the First Summit. It ended early as there weren''t as much problems that needed to be discussed in the assembly. But perhaps in theter years, things wouldst longer.


    Though, hopefully not.


    At the moment, Abraham was in a luxurious restaurant somewhere in the Port of Dawn. Beside him were Lace and Charlotte, who were respectively eating their expensive meals with great satisfaction. On the other hand, in front were Hermona and Escudo.


    Before the conference in the UN Assembly, he had already made his statement about wanting to have a word with the two representatives. Naturally, Abraham wouldn''t be foolish enough as to break his own words.


    "I''m d that we could converse in a more suitable location. My name is Abraham Shepherd, by the way. Many know me as the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy." Abraham introduced himself with a calm smile stered on his face.


    Though, in the inside, he was enjoying the dumbfounded expressions of the two representatives. Hermona was shocked since the fleet admiral had just personally invited her. No men wouldn''t do that without a deeper reason. While Escudo wondered what he should do in his unique circumstance.


    Obviously, Abraham didn''t simply stop with his introduction. He looked at Lace and began introducing her as well. "The one to my right is Lace, known to the United Navy as the lieutenant colonel of the Special-Response Unit, but infamously considered as the Dragon of Liberation."


    Lace grinned at the two while waiving her hands at them. She kept eating her steak as it was too delicious to waste her attention at anything. Seeing her concentrated on the food, Abraham merely sighed and looked at his left where a quite, yet eating vice admiral dwell.


    "To my left is Charlotte, the second highest authority of the United Navy. The two of you might not know much about her, she was the one thatmanded the northern fleet to deal with the shield of Terra. She had destroyed over a dozen of battleships without losing much of her subordinates."


    "A quite impressive victory." Abraham smiled at Charlotte, who raised her eyebrows, but smiled at the two representatives. She gazed at their dumbfounded faces and remarked. "Your food will be cold if you don''t return to reality."


    Hearing her words, Hermona and Escudo who were preupied with their surging thoughts, returned back to reality. They finally faced their meal and began eating in silence. Abraham couldn''t help but chuckle as it would take time before the two gets use to him.


    The group began eating their meals and quickly devoured the food before them. Abraham and Lace ordered for more, making Charlotte nced at them with aplicated expression. She couldn''t help but wonder how deep their appetite were.


    But it didn''t take long before their eating session concluded. It was finally to start talking.


    Hermona looked at Abraham, Lace, and Charlotte. The fleet admiral of the United Navy was remarkably strong. Even though he didn''t have a tinge of mana inside his body, he was stronger than anyone she had seen. She could feel her instincts telling her to avoid him.


    However, Lace was entirely different. Other than apletely unstoppable and seemingly invincible body, her mana was akin to the sun itself. Fortunately, Lace hadn''t dared topletely perceive the mana of the dragoness. Otherwise, she would be blinded into crisped.


    But what impressed Hermona the most was thest gorgeousdy beside the fleet admiral. The vice admiral of the United Navy, a higher-ranking officer of Rear Admiral George, Vice Admiral Charlotte. Through Hermona''s observations, she concluded that the vice admiral was but a normal and mana-less human.


    Though... Charlotte stood with the two authorities of the United Navy with unparalleled calm. It seemed as though nothing could faze her. Not even the Dragon of Liberation appears to bother her. Despite not having the body of the fleet admiral or the mana of the dragoness, she still stands amongst them as a sort of equal.


    "Hermona, you look like you have questions in mind. Why don''t you ask them? I''m free to answer them as I like." Abraham uttered to the seemingly curious revolutionary leader of the Liberation Front. Hearing his words, Hermona got out of her trance and couldn''t help but blush.


    She felt embarrassed to be called out from her thoughts. However, things had already happened and there was nothing she could do about it. There was only one way for her and that was forward.


    "Apologies for my disrespect, Fleet Admiral. I was simply curious about the three of you. It''s my first meeting the highest authorities of the United Navy. It''s quite unnerving in all honesty, but there''s one important question I want to ask." Hermona gazed at Abraham''s jet ck eyes.


    He raised his eyebrows, curious about what she wanted to ask. The revolutionary leader before him was always surprising him, so perhaps her question might be an intriguing one.


    "Why Liberation?" Two words escaped her supple lips, but it was enough to attract the attention of everyone in the table. Even the dragoness, who wasn''t that interested with the meeting, raised her eyebrows. Escudo also couldn''t help but be impressed with his fellow representative.


    When Abraham heard her, he couldn''t help but smile. It was a great question, a simple yetplex one. Why did he choose liberation to begin with? Was it because of the rampant very in this world? Was it because of the world views from his former modern world.


    Was it personal? Was it because he wanted to gain something? Was it because he wished to be a hero? Perhaps, bing a righteous one was his desire. But why? For fame?


    Admiration? Respect? To be remembered?


    To be honest, the answer was simple. It might sound disappointing, but it was his real answer.


    "I stuck with a spontaneous decision of mine. I chose."


    Like her question, Abraham''s answer was straightforward. But Hermona froze remembering the moments where she burned a colonial envoy for trying to make the good Saintess of the deerfolk tribe a ve. At that moment, she remembered her thoughts.


    She was given a choice, choosing either would change her fate significantly. She picked the path that could protect the Saintess. After all, the child was innocent and didn''t deserve to be thrown into such a horrifying fate. When she made her choice, she decided to stick with it and start a rebellion.


    With this in mind, a smile emerged on Hermona''s face as she looked at the fleet admiral with relief. "That''s a great answer, fleet admiral. You simply stuck with what you have chosen. Nothing more, nothing less." Her words resounded throughout the table.


    "Well, I''m d my answer satisfied you, Hermona. At any rate, I''m sure your interested about the Port of Dawn. We have many things here that you could visit if you''re desire to take a look." Abraham merely smirked at the response of the revolutionary leader.


    "And Escudo, are you interested in taking a look? It might give you an inspiration." Abraham looked at the Minokin, who was astounded by the answer of the fleet admiral. He had previously thought that there would be a deeper meaning like not wanting to see ves being mistreated by tyrants.


    Were things really as simple as simply choosing?


    "Thank you, fleet admiral. But I''ll have to return to my country to discuss about the things we have talked in the conference." Escudo calmly answered to the fleet admiral after shaking his confused thoughts away.


    "I see... Well, it''s not like I can force you. How about you, Hermona? Are you interested?" Abraham asked the revolutionary leader, who nodded her head like a child. "I want to see more of the Port of Dawn, Fleet Admiral. I''m also curious about what makes it different from the things I have seen."


    "Then, I''ll work hard in satiating that curiosity of yours. You and yourpanions can go to themand center and ask for someone to guide you into the city. There''s no need for you to ask for permissions. After all, you have mine." Abraham grinned, while Hermona felt thankful.


    "Thank you very much, fleet admiral." Hermona deeply bowed at him, turning the easy-going atmosphere into an awkward one.

 Chapter 175: | 175 | Magical Advancements

    In the following days after the UN Assembly in themand center of the Port of Dawn, Hermona and her entourage took their time exploring the entirety of the port. They were mostly interested about how people lived together rather than the grand sceneries scattered throughout the city.


    Beastfolks and humans in the Port of Dawn were rtively living well. They each had houses of their own, cars, and even families. Because of how sustainable the times were, poption was booming as newborns were being birth everyday. Their average lifespan had also be longer than usual.


    Hermona wanted to learn about the ways of the United Navy and understood that economic stability along with cultural exchanges was significant to achieve her dream of unity followed by the liberation of all sapient life.


    On the other hand, though... Abraham was dealing with the aftermath of the UN Assembly. Many of their discussions during the conference were being written up by various intelligence officers and specialist. The marking of the UN Dors as the currency of the allied inds and the United Navy was also on its way.


    With each passing moment, management was bingplicated for Abraham. Governing a city while alsomanding a military wasn''t an easy task. It was aplicated one that needed caution as to not make any unnecessary mistakes that would cost more paperwork.


    ''I should separate the United Navy from the government entity governing the inds under my authority. With this, it wouldn''t be too troublesome for me and wouldn''t give me too much work for way less time.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself.


    ''But the creation of a government entity under my control should be forter. For now, I''ll have to watch her.'' He gazed forward and saw Lace practicing runic engraving. Beside her was the Director of the R&D Department, teaching her about the ways of magicraft.


    It was quite interesting to see someone with no mana and has no capabilities of magic teaching someone else the art of magicraft. A somewhat unique scenario that might be nothing more but fantasy for the Magus.


    "Hmm... It doesn''t look right." Lace furrowed her eyebrows, gazing at her runic enchantments on a single pen. While the form of her runes were correct, it was akin to a child trying to scribble a syntax in a piece of paper. It was too crude.


    "Writing isn''t an easy subject, Lady Lace. But with patience, it shouldn''t take long before you perfect it." Beside her was the Director with his hands on thumbs up, supporting the dragoness in her endeavors in magicraft. He had also learn a lot from her and realized what magic was despite having no mana.


    "Though, It''s surprising for our mighty dragoness to be so bad in writing." Abraham stepped forward and smirked at Lace, who simply pouted from his words. She looked away from him and muttered under her breath. "A mighty dragon doesn''t need to write."


    "However, what is a mighty dragon that can''t write?" He countered with a smile, earning a re from the silver-haired dragoness. He shut his mouth up, not wanting to meet her wrath. None would want to be smack on the head by the dragoness.


    "At any rate, I''ll help you with writing." Abraham nced at the pencil with the scribble-like runic runes and realized theplexities of magic. Inscribing runes to an object doesn''t simply require imagination. It needed precision.


    Unlike a spell-circle, which was entirely made up from someone''s imagination. An object has a real physical shadow over reality. It wasn''t something that could be manipted through imagination. As such, runic inscription was asplicated as calligraphy of his former world.


    Lace wasn''t against with Abraham helping and opened up some space for him. He crouched beside her and took out another pen to be inscribed with by the dragoness. "Let''s handle this with calm and patience. A failure doesn''t simply mean its bad. It means that you still have room to grow."


    Abraham remarked while holding her fingers with his. "You simply need to guide your fingers into following a shape you want to make." He guided her fingers as it began inscribing mana into the pen below them.


    The runic inscription was being written, slowly but surely, by the two. Lace felt Abraham''s soft yet stern guiding hand firmly leading her to victory. It was a satisfying feeling for the dragoness, and made her feel like a love-stricken teenager.


    It didn''t take long before the runic writing of the pen to bepleted. Abraham looked at it with pride as the runes weren''t that much different from the image portrayed by the R&D Department. He then nced at the Director and asked. "Is this enough?"


    "Yes, Sir! It''s beyond enough. This is incredibly well done." The Director observed it with scrutiny, inspecting all of its nook and cranny. After investigating it for a short while, he gave it to the fleet admiral and uttered. "You should test it, Fleet Admiral. Can you inscribe another pen through it?"


    In the first runic pen was two syntax with clearmands. The first was the absorption of surrounding mana in miniscule quantities while the second was the inscription of such mana into a precision liquid for inscribing more runes.


    With the pen around, normal or manaless humans would be able to inscribe runes into object without that much of a problem. It was a powerful and revolutionary took, especially for the United Navy who was merely stepping into the entrance of magicraft.


    Abraham raised his eyebrows, but epted the runic pen without much of a hesitation. He looked at it with intrigue and wondered how it felt to wield magic in his fingers. He soon nced at the next pen and began inscribing the same runic spells into it.


    His work concluded faster than the dragoness and appeared more well-written than Lace''s. The runes of the following pen glowed with the same brilliance as the first, signifying that it was working well.


    Lace observed the first work of her Lover and looked at the Director before asking. "Can I ask this pen?" The Director raised his eyebrows, confused by her words. "Couldn''t you wield magic without the need for a pen, why would you nee-"


    He couldn''t continue his words as his eyes were met with a scary smile from the dragoness. He could only cough and nod his head in agreement. "The first work of the fleet admiral is yours, Lady Lace. It looks great by your side."


    Abraham merely sighed, though a smile remained on his face. He gave the pen to the Director and uttered to the old man. "This is for you. With it by your side, you should be able to create more runic spells than you had imagined. But be careful in testing it."


    "It wouldn''t want the R&D Department to be up in mes by the next morning." He threw them a word of caution as wielding magic recklessly might bring up some troublesome problems. He wouldn''t want to handle them, especially with the uing operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    "Understood, Fleet Admiral. The R&D Department will not disappoint you!" The Director straightened his back and saluted to Abraham before running off with the runic pen. Looking at the back of the old scientist, a smile threatened to appear on the middle-aged man''s face.


    After the Director disappeared from his sight, Abraham turned his attention to the dragoness beside him. She seemed to hold his first runic pen dearly. He tightly hugged her from behind and whispered onto her ears.


    "It has been a while since we''ve spent some time together, Lace." Hearing his words, Lace''s ears slightly flushed with red as she softly responded. "How about a date?" Abraham smiled after hearing her and held her hand tightly with his firm fingers, walking away with a flustered dragoness.


    ...


    A few days have passed since the creation of the first runic pen and the technologies that the R&D Department were spewing have now numbered in a dozen. The most important creation following the runic pen was the handheld runic printer.


    With the handheld runic printer, one can simply print a runic spell into an object without much of a problem. It was a lot easier than the runic pen, which required a significant amount of calligraphy skills. The syntax was turned into an image to be imprinted by it, which gave birth to the technology.


    Naturally, through the handheld runic printer, the first thing that R&D Department handled was energy production. ording to a few scientist, a spell could produce power much more efficiently than a fission nuclear reactor.


    Whether it''d be conjuring steam for energy production or actually summoning a lightning bolt, the possibilities were endless.


    Naturally, the second thing that the R&D Department handled was weapon development. Anti-Magus Technologies were what they needed and the most problematic ability of these mages were their teleporting capabilities.


    With this in mind, the R&D Department built an actual spatial-stabilizing generator. This was but a prototype, but ording to various theories cooked up by the crazy people in that department. The SS Generator was supposed to stabilize the spatial field of a surrounding area.


    A teleporting spell would usually create a dissonance between the target and the origin location. If the spell couldn''t create a dissonance in the target location, the teleporting spell might fail and spew out its caster back into where theye from.


    However, they had to test it first as to see whether the technology was real or not.

 Chapter 176: | 176 | Ouranos Spatial Stabilizer

    In an ind somewhere near the Port of Dawn, several warship of different sizes encircled the shores of the tinyndmass while helicopters and drones soared above the heavens, observing each centimeter of the ind. It was an important day for the United Navy.


    After all, it was time to test their first-ever military project with magicraft as the primary source of power. The project was recently approved by the fleet admiral of the United Navy, and its development just concluded a few days earlier.


    The Research and Development Department required tons of permission before the project could begin its testing phase. Though, it had the interest of the United Navy and its military in mind, so the permission for testing went through without a hitch.


    It was generally known as the O.U.R.A.N.O.S Project.


    Ouranos, was a spatial-stabilizer generator, the first magic-technology of its kind. ording to the theoretical assessment of its creators, the generator could stabilize the spatial-signature of an entire area through the casting of various spatial spells. Although the efficiency of such a generator was questionable.


    It didn''t matter as it could do one thing.


    The capability to make space imprable from unnatural spatial disturbance. Through this technology, the teleporting spells of the Magus might be deflected away by the United Navy. An important faculty to have.


    Naturally, though... Whether it works or not could only be discovered during the testing, which was why almost most of the United Navy gathered around a tiny ind somewhere in the nearby sea of Crescere.


    Within the bridge of the modernized battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce. Abraham watched as several research personnel and specialist prepared the testing of the Ouranos in the tinyndmass before him. He had high expectations regarding such a technology as it would save them from the pesky teleportation spells of the Magus.


    "Let''s hope the testing goes well for the R&D Department." He muttered to himself, ncing at the screens where the magical machine, Ouranos dwelled was observed. It looked like an engine of some sort and stood over three meters.


    Meanwhile, in the tinyndmass surrounded by the United Navy, the Director was leading the preparation of Ouranos, making sure that everything was ready. This was the first-ever prototype of an anti-Magus machine, so things might go well, or go wrong.


    It was his job to make sure that the chances go to the former instead of thetter. It wouldn''t do good for the R&D Department if Ouranos failed during a major testing. Their reputation would take a hit, and perhaps the United Navy''s trust as well.


    ''The mana in this area is good enough. If the concept is proven well during this testing, then we might have to concentrate our resources in making it as efficient as possible. In its current state, I doubt it would be appliable in the long term.'' The Director thought while observing the ind.


    Before he could continue his observations, a specialist came up in front of him and reported the current status of Ouranos. "Director, Ouranos is up and operational. It is ready for the testing."


    Hearing the report, the Director nodded in understanding and replied. "Alright, let''s get out of here. We don''t want to be anywhere near this thing if something bad happens." The specialist was in agreement with the Director, not wanting to be near the generator.


    With the confirmation of Ouranos''s operational status, one after another, the specialists and researchers were picked up by Ospreys, returning to the UNS Guardian of the High Seas.


    Back to the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, an intelligence officer stepped forward and reported the situation to the fleet admiral. "Sir, Ouranos is operational. Our experts are in the process of evacuating the area. After thendmass is cleared of any life, the testing should be clear to proceed."


    "Okay, I''ll keep that in mind. But before that, make sure that no one would be in that ind during the testing. It wouldn''t do good if a person is expose to an untested concept of a machine." Abraham uttered to the intelligence officer, who nodded in understanding.


    The intelligence officer swiftly ryed the orders of the fleet admiral to surrounding warships, making them increase their surveince around the ind. As the nearby fleet became busy, Abraham''s attention was pointed to his thoughts.


    The testing phase of Ouranos was separated into two sections. It was the creation of a stabilized-space, and the following test of teleporting objects inside it. This was to see the difference between theory and reality. The variables that might emerged in the actual was an ending-arrange of possibilities.


    Nheless, they could only hope for the best.


    "Creating spells is the easiest part. Testing their effectiveness is the hardest." With theirputers around, they could create a vast array of spells in an instant. After all, the syntax they could make with magicraft was vast in terms of variety. However, whether they were effective or not was the question that needed to be answered.


    Another intelligence officer stepped forward and reported about his ryed orders. "Sir, thendmass has been cleared of any people. All of our warships have reported the same conclusion." With the needed confirmation, there was no need to hesitate.


    "Good, ry my orders. Begin the testing of Ouranos. Maintain cautiousness and prepare for an emergency. Also, sustain a safe distance from thendmass." Abraham ordered the intelligence officer to ry his orders. The officer nodded and saluted before walking away to report his orders.


    It didn''t take long before his orders was ryed to every warship that encircled the tiny ind. The beginning of a new age for the United Navy was in the horizon.


    ...


    In the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, the specialists onboard the ship prepared for the activation of Ouranos on the ind before them. The Director observed their actions with scrutiny, making sure that no mistakes were made in the preparation process.


    *Ouranos clear for activation...*


    "Activate Ouranos," The Director ordered the specialist, which immediately pressed the activation button of the generator. Everyone watched as the Ouranos glowed with a dim bluish neon, signifying that it was working well under the constraints it was given.


    *Status are optimal for the Ouranos, Sir. But mana are being taken with an inefficient rate.* A specialist reported to the Director, who nodded in understanding. He understood that they had no time to waste and had toplete the testing quota as fast as possible.


    "Is T1, ready?" The Director asked one of the specialist beside him. T1 was a small object inscribed with a teleportation spell. The target for the teleportation was a small ind before them, which would test the effectiveness of Ouranos.


    *T1 is ready, Sir.*


    "Understood, activate it and begin transposition." The Director uttered to the specialist, and the second test of the testing phase had begun. The T1 was in another deserted ind, which was also being scrutinizingly observed by the United Navy.


    The runic spells imbued on the object glowed as the spell inside was activated. It didn''t take long for the space surrounding the T1 object to distort, and a momentter, it disappeared from the spot. Most observers turned their gaze towards the tiny ind, wondering where T1 might appear.


    However... T1 never appeared in the ind.


    *Spatial fluctuations detected south of Ouranos. Distortion have been stabilized.*


    The iing report of the specialist was proof of their sess. Though, another proof emerged in the form of T1 being repelled from whence it came. It was broken into pieces by the distorting force of the other side getting sent back at it.


    The Director smiled at the sess of Ouranos, though this was merely the second testing of the testing phase. He nced at a specialist and gave way for another testing. "Begin our third testing, send in our T2."


    T2 was a muchrger object than T1. Quite bigger than a human too. It was imbued with heavier teleportation spell that required much more mana to activate. A spell that might rival a powerful teleportation spells of the Magus.


    The specialist handling T2 didn''t hesitate and activated its runic spells. T2 began glowing with brilliance and immediately disappeared on the spot, leaving behind a distortion. Everyone held their gaze back at the tiny ind once again, curious about the results of the third testing.


    *Deep spatial-fluctuations detected northbound of Ouranos. Slight distortion is piercing through, but the space is stabilizing itself.*


    They could see somewhere in the north of the tiny ind distorting for a slight little bit. But the object it was supposed to teleport never went through, suggesting that the teleportation spell was repelled by Ouranos.


    Back to the location where T2 was activated, the second object got repelled and returned in broken pieces. It was as though it hit a dry concrete wall while moving 200 miles per hour,


    Silence shrouded the interiors of the UNS Guardian of the High Seas, but it was clear that the testing phase of Ouranos was a sess. They have sessfully repelled iing teleportation spells, though obviously, more testing were needed.


    However, nheless, they have a proven a working concept, signifying the continuation of the project.


    Abraham watched the entirety of the testing phase with a smile stered on his face. Ouranos was a working prototype of a spatial-stabilizer generator. Perhaps, it wouldn''t take long before they had shield generators for themselves as well.


    "Our future is certainly vast." He muttered to himself, ncing at Charlotte, who softly smiled and nodded in agreement with his silent words.

 Chapter 177: | 177 | Fleet Admiral Training

    In the new world teeming with fantasy and magic, importance didn''t merely originate from one''s authority over everyone else, but also their strength, their personal power. With enough power, authority, wealth, and famees along with it.


    The fleet admiral of the United Navy had authority over his naval organization, with the wealth of knowledge and the technology it contains, and the fame thates from the admiration his personnel had towards him. However... His personal power was far from it.


    *BAM!*


    Somewhere in the northern teau of the ind of Crescere, Abraham stood alone in the mountainous terrain while the cold breeze of wind ruffled his dark hair. The spark of morning glowed behind his back as the golden sun rose in the boundless lines of the eastern horizon.


    In front of him was a rock wall with a couple of cracks scattered throughout it. He took a deep breath and clenched his fist wrapped in bandages, determined to be stronger than ever before. As long as he had strength, he wouldn''t hold back the United Navy.


    Without any further hesitation, Abraham threw a punch towards the rock wall. His knuckle pierced through the air and impacted the rough wall in front of him. What followed was an echo along with a slight gust of wind.


    *BAM!*


    Pain resounded throughout his body as his hand ached from what had recently urred. Nevertheless, he maintained his calm and didn''t have an ounce of hesitation. Once again he punched the rock wall with great tenacity.


    *BAM!*


    The reason why he was practicing such a grueling training was simple.


    *BAM!*


    It was because of Systema''s suggestion in bing stronger. ording to his precious partner, as long as hepleted the most grueling training he had ever done or even thought of. He would be given an ability from the Random Personal-Power Spin.


    *BAM!*


    And like the poor fleet admiral that he was. He epted the training, wanting to gain even greater not through the technologies of the United navy. But through his own body.


    *BAM!*


    Abraham''s eyebrows furrowed after punching the rock wall in front of him. Pain was aching throughout his body, screaming at his mind to stop whatever he was doing. His knuckles was beginning to break and bleed from the training. However...


    *BAM!*


    He continued.


    To control his pain and make sure that his heartrate remained calm. Thoughts clouded his mind, most were about the growth of the United Navy. His naval organization had berger than ever before. Their magical technology was also growing.


    It wouldn''t take long before such new technologies could be applied in the vast expanse of the United Navy. When that happens. They would be unstoppable to the new world before them.


    *BAM!*


    But he mustn''t remain weak while the United Navy grows. He also couldn''t keep relying in his lover for assistance against enemies. Once was already enough. He didn''t have the desire to be the princess or the damsel in distress of their lives.


    *BAM!*


    ''You must be stronger, Abraham!'' He screamed inside his pain while cracks resounded inside his body. Some of his bones just broke, and it was extremely painful. Though, he continued, not wanting to stop. He had already done so far since starting in midnight.


    *BAM!*


    The grueling challenge that Systema had given to Abraham was punching the rock wall for a hundred thousand times in one try. Now that he had began, he mustn''t stop or else he would lose the ability that Systema could give him.


    *BAM!*


    ''Systema... How much do I have to go?'' Abraham asked inside his mind, tricking himself to remain calm. It didn''t take long before a mechanical bell rang inside his mind followed by her usual monotone voice.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral has punched the wall 10,486 times. |


    | 89,514 Punches remain... |


    *BAM!*


    Hearing the monotone response of Systema didn''t challenge Abraham''s heart. He merely raised his eyebrows and clenched his fist, continuing in whatever he was doing. With each following punch, pieces of bones shatter inside his knuckles. But the thought of stopping never came in his mind.


    *BAM!*


    Most would have stopped when the first bone broke, however he had the perk of recovery inside his body. Lace''s dragon blood coursing inside his veins also amplified his recovery perk to a much higher level, making his healing visible in the naked eyes.


    *BAM!*


    The cons of such an extraordinary power was that he could still feel pain. Even if he could recover from the most nefarious injuries, he would remember the pain of keeping them until the end of his lifetime. If it ever ends...


    *BAM!*


    ''I still have a long way to go.'' The edges of his lips rose, which made him wonder if he had be mad from the pain echoing throughout his body. It made him wonder whether his recovery perk could heal his mind from breaking apart. If not, well, things could be uglyter.


    *BAM!*


    However, that was for the future him to handle. The present could only keep punching at the rock wall before him. After all, that was the goal he had determined to tackle with his life. Its consequences be damned for destiny.


    *BAM!*


    ''Butpleting this in one singly try...'' Abraham couldn''t help but quietlyined as a hundred thousand punches on a rock wall in a single attempt was nothing short of crazy. Perhaps even beyond it. Though, it might be that he was the crazy one for even attempting it.


    *BAM!*


    ''I need power! I can''t hesitate now that the opportunity is in front of me!'' He roared at himself for even having an ounce of hesitation and threw another punch forward in anger.


    *BAM!*


    The rock wall lightly trembled, but it soon remained firmed before the fleet admiral of the United Navy, as though stating the insignificance of the naval organization before nature.


    *BAM!*


    "I won''t stop until I throw you the hundred thousandth punch!" Abraham began slowly increasing his pace in throwing punches at the rock wall in front of him. It slowly turned rapid, while he remained uncaring of the increasing pain.


    *BAM!* *BAM!**BAM!**BAM!**BAM!*


    ...


    A few dayster.


    In the defense sector of the Port of Dawn, Charlotte calmly walked through the hallway with a cold expression on her face. The hallway she was treading through led to the office of the problem dragon. Usually, she wouldn''t even bother visiting the troublesome Lace.


    But a problem had urred on her side, requiring the help of the problem dragon due to its potential seriousness.


    It didn''t take long before she arrived at the front door of the dragon''s office. Though, she couldn''t knock on the door as the voice of the dragoness already called her into the office.


    "Charlotte, what do you need?" Hearing the questioning words of the dragoness, Charlotte sighed since the dragon''s powerful physique made her an unexpected fellow. The problem dragon was someone she couldn''t consider as a human of some sort.


    However, it wasn''t like the dragon was pretending to be a human, to begin with.


    As Charlotte opened the door, she saw the usual smirk of the dragoness, making her sigh even further. She pressed her forehead, calming herself down from the whatever rage that burned inside her heart.


    "You don''t look good, did something bad happen?" Lace maintained her teasing smile as though the Charlotte having problems soothe her heart. "Does my suffering satisfy you that much, Lace?" Charlotte questioned, but soon shook her head.


    She needed to take care of the problem as fast as possible.


    With this in mind, she stepped forward and asked the silver-haired dragoness for help. "Never mind that... At any rate, I need your help, Lace. The fleet admiral has disappeared for two days now. It''s almost sunset, and the third day is about to start. Everyone is worried about him."


    For the safety of the fleet admiral, Charlotte was willing to let go of her pride and ask for the help of the dragoness. After all, it was the fleet admiral she was talking about. He was the pir of the United Navy, so his disappearance didn''t go unnoticed.


    Lace''s smile disappeared after hearing the words of Charlotte as if remembering something unpleasant. A serious expression formed on her face as she closed her eyelids, searching for someone throughout the ind of Crescere.


    There was nothing she could hear about the fleet admiral, making her tense up.


    Beforehand, Lace remembered Abraham telling her that he was about to train himself somewhere in the ind of Crescere. He had specifically told her to not look out for him as to not disturb his training. She didn''t think of it as much, but remembering his hunger for power...


    Perhaps, she had underestimated him.


    "I can''t hear him." Lace muttered under her breath and thought about the ces where he could train himself. After a short while, she nced at Charlotte and held the vice admiral''s hand. "We need to find him as fast as possible!" Lace uttered and casted a teleporting spell.


    The first location she nned to investigate was the northern teau as it was thest time where she had noticed he was heading. Naturally, the vice admiral came with her as she might be of help as well.


    As they arrived into the northern teau, the first thing that Lace''s noticed was the scent of blood, specifically his blood. Her body tensed as she immediately ran off to find where it came from. Charlotte was left behind, but seeing the problem dragon''s reactions made her worrisome.


    She gazed at the direction where the dragoness was headed and followed.


    It wouldn''t take long before they would see the results of the Fleet Admiral Training.

 Chapter 178: | 178 | Superhuman

    As the golden sun steadily sets in the boundless lines of the horizon, Lace tensely walked through the foliage, following the scent of her lover''s blood. His crimson scent scattered throughout the air, old and new, signifying how grueling his training was.


    The more the dragoness smelt it, the more she became worried for the life of her love. Her pace soon became hurried while echoes of something smashing into a rock wall resounded into her ears. Lace stopped moving as her ears perked up. It might be a sign of her lover.


    *BAM!*


    Without further hesitation or dy, she followed the banging sound and was soon met with a concealed area of the northern teau. In it was her lover, his fist stained with blood from hours before. His facecked any emotions as he kept punching the rock wall in front of him.


    *BAM!*


    Lace didn''t know what horrifying state he was in. It was as if he was unconscious and kept doing what he was doing since the beginning of his so-called training. She wanted to go out and wake me him up from his state, somewhere in her heart felt that this was a training she shouldn''t interrupt.


    *BAM!*


    ''I don''t know why I am hesitating... Abraham is over there hurting himself like a goddamn puppet. I should have thrown myself at him in this very moment.'' Lace quietly thought to herself and was about to step forward.


    But before she could reveal herself to the other side, she felt a hand on her shoulders. Lace nced at the hand and noticed that it came from Charlotte, who recently just arrive after trekking through an entire mountain trying to find the problem dragon.


    "Don''t just leave me after bringing me with you, Lace." Charlotte sighed while panting for her breathe. Afterward, she turned her attention to the fleet admiral punching the rock wall with no hesitance, like a puppet controlled by a string.


    *BAM!*


    Blood sttered throughout the air and the surroundings, but the fleet admiral stood without showing a single hint of reaction in his face. The pain has been all too familiar to him now. It was of no use against him.


    "Charlotte, we need to wake him up from this madness. Otherwise, who knows what could happen." Lace muttered to the vice admiral, wanting her agreement in the matter. After all, Charlotte had always been the rational side between herself and Abraham.


    *BAM!*


    Charlotte kept gazing at Abraham, who continued punching at the wall without an ounce of hesitation. She trusted him enough to not do something stupid. If he was punching a wall for a couple of days straight, then there had to be a reason why he was doing so.


    "Lace, did the fleet admiral ask you to not disturb him in his training?" She questioned the problem dragon, who raised an eyebrow after hearing her. The dragoness had previously thought that Charlotte would agree to her words without a doubt.


    *BAM!*


    "I remembered him asking me a favor. He wanted nothing and no one to disturb his training. I thought he merely wished to concentrate in honing his strength. I didn''t expect it to be so maddening."


    "Even dragons don''t injure their ws or fangs to be stronger, so it''s difficult for me to understand." Lace finally decided to hold back in her decision of trying to wake Abraham up from his unconscious yet moving state.


    "I see... I don''t know what Abraham is trying to aplish, but it seems that it is incredibly important. Otherwise, his body wouldn''t have been moving on its own trying to keep punching the rock wall before it." Charlotte''s words made sense to the dragoness.


    *BAM!*


    "So, you''re telling me to watch while he destroys his body in front of me?" However, it was difficult to ept, especially when their own lover was hurting themselves. There was no way she wouldn''t do anything against it.


    "Yes, that is what I''m trying to tell you. This is what Abraham chose and determined himself to aplish. It isn''t something we can take away from him." Charlotte understood how difficult it was to pretend as if everything was okay.


    *BAM!*


    Even she herself wondered if her words were correct, doubts begin to shroud her mind, yet she remained firmed to the decisions that Abraham made. She trusted him to know what he was doing in this grueling training of his.


    Lace''s golden irises lightly glowed, but soon dimmed. She nced at Abraham in the distance and trusted his words when he told her that he was returning back safely. She took a deep breath, calming her stormy heart.


    *BAM!*


    "The only thing we can do is watch, Lace. No matter how painful it is. We must watch him see this through." Charlotte uttered, staring at Abraham, who kept punching the rock wall brimming with all kinds of cracks.


    *BAM!*


    Each punch echoed in their hearts while some of his blood would stter throughout the surroundings. It was the reason why Lace could smell him from far away.


    *BAM!*


    He maintained his stance, unmoving like a mountain he stood on. With no hesitation or dy, he threw another punch with his bloodied yet perfectly fine knuckles.


    *BAM!*


    Abraham was in a state between conscious and unconscious. His body was moving on its own, like it was its instinct to punch the rock wall until the end of time. On the other hand, his mind was stuck somewhere between his thoughts and perception.


    *BAM!*


    He didn''t know if he had lost himself after punching the rock wall for the past few days. Had he be maddened and turn into nothing but an automatic rock wall punching machine? Was his mind really that weak?


    Abraham couldn''t help but question somewhere in his confusing state of mind. Though, his inquiry didn''t matter since his body kept doing it wasst told, which was punching the rock wall in front of him.


    *BAM!*


    Bing numb of pain wasn''t something he expected to get from this training. He wondered if this was the power that Systema talked about. He hoped it wouldn''t be as not feeling pain didn''t do him that much justice against his enemies.


    ''Perhaps, I should return.'' Abraham regain a trace of rity, and remembered the challenge he had faced. It was to punch the rock wall a hundred thousand times. It has been days since he checked how much he had punched the rock wall.


    ''Systema, what''s the status of the challenge?'' He questioned inside his mind, which was followed by the usual ring of the mechanical bell.


    *Ding!*


    | The Fleet Admiral has punched the wall 99,997 times. |


    | 3 Punches remained for challengepletion...|


    When Abraham heard the words of Systema, hisx mind was jolted awake, returning its control over his body. The fleet admiral found himself staring at the rock wall, devastated and cracked from thousands upon thousands of his punches.


    He observed his surroundings darkening by the moment, signifying that evening was about toe. Though, his attention waspleting thest three punches of the challenge.


    *BAM!*


    Out of nowhere, an acute pain echoed throughout his body, which was amplified for some reason. It felt like he was punching the rock wall for the first time. Not through his current body, but his former one.


    *BAM!*


    But Abraham didn''t stop punching as the challenge was almost reaching its conclusion. It would be too foolish to give up now when victory was attainable within his very eyes.


    Meanwhile, Charlotte and Lace noticed the change in Abraham''s attitude. The former nk expression faded and was reced with a frown. The edges of their lips rose while Lace couldn''t help but mutter. "Did something wake him up?"


    "Perhaps, but if he''s awake. It means that he''s about to finish his training." Charlotte quietly stated to the dragoness, since the whole debacle of his body moving on its own was the best way for the fleet admiral to maintain his sanity.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t havested long in this grueling training of his.


    *BAM!*


    After one punch that shook the surrounding area, Abraham took a deep breath and turned his gaze upward to the darkening skies. How long has it been since he had looked up? His sight had been to preupied with the wall in front of him, that he had forgotten the beauty of the world around him.


    "At the very least, I''m back with my sanity intact." He moved every limb of his body, which tensed up in pain. Perhaps, it might take a while for his body topletely heal from the grueling training session given by Systema. Or, it might take no longer than a moment.


    A mechanical bell once again rang inside his mind.


    *Ding!*


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral. You havepleted the brutal challenge imposed by the Naval Gacha System. You have punched a hard wall for a hundred thousand times. |


    | Because of your unprecedented victory attained by your determination and desire for power, you have been given a Random Personal-Power. |


    | Once again, Fleet Admiral... Congrattions, you have received the Personal-Power. |


    | Superhuman. |


    In a mere instant, Abraham''s severely injured body instantly healed in a single moment. An imposing aura escaped his body while his muscles became firmer than ever before. His body was evolving to ept the Personal-Power of the Naval Gacha System.


    Lace felt the hair of her skin stand up as though a somewhat significant enemy had appeared before her. The only time it happened was when she had faced a Sovereign for the first time. Because of this, a child-like astounded expression remained on her face.


    On the other hand, Charlotte was nothing more than confused of the situation.

 Chapter 179: | 179 | Newfound Power

    Seconds passed since he began.


    Somewhere in the northern teau of the ind, Crescere. As the night fell and the day gone by, darkness intruded the world with the moon above heavens giving light to the sunless world. Amidst the shade of the night, Abraham watched as his body evolved before his very eyes.


    HIs already firmed muscles squirmed in delight. His bones hardened even further than before. His organs more robust than the strongest of steel. His senses grown beyond of what made sense. Most importantly, his cells were nourished into their most strongest.


    It was at this moment that he understood one thing. He had gone pass the realms of the natural.


    He was now a Superhuman.


    Secondster, his transformation concluded like a gust of wind. Passing by as though it hadn''t existed and ruffled his hair. He noticed his heart calmed as before, his body refreshed, and his strength remaining unchanged. Or was it really the same as before?


    "Damn... I didn''t think that the reward would be so overpowered." Abraham muttered under his breath since he had expected Systema to give me a not-so-op but incredibly useful power. To think that the Naval Gacha System would go all-in by giving him such an ability.


    Perhaps it was an investment of the system towards him.


    However, while he''d like to continue checking out his new and evolved body. First and foremost, something has been bothering his senses after his evolution. It was as if something it was observing him.


    He turned his gaze towards the direction where his instincts screamed at and noticed nothing there. But all of his senses were giving them away. While they were incredibly good at hiding, especially her and hertent magical abilities, it wouldn''t be enough to prate his new senses.


    The edges of Abraham''s lips rose as he remarked towards the direction he was staring at. "Lace, what did I say about trying to seek me out? I guess Charlotte must have been the one that had you to find me." His words resounded amidst the silence of the night.


    The evergreen foliage rustled as two figures emerged from their hiding spot. These figures were two gorgeousdies, each having their own remarkable features. One had a dark tail and ck horns, while the other was akin to someone who would look down on you if you failed her.


    "Who wouldn''t? It was thanks to Charlotte that I remembered you heading out for your training in the north. You have been for a few days now and the others have noticed it." Lace responded while sizing up her lover who had just grown in power.


    "The problem dragon is correct, Fleet Admiral. You have been gone for a few days and work is piling up. Themanding officers have also noticed your disappearance and are wondering for your current status." Charlotte stepped forward, maintaining an aloof expression.


    "What we didn''t expect was you punching a wall for a long time." Lace frowned as the training that her lover had gone through was not only beyond difficult, it was torturous. The blood painted throughout his surroundings already tells its own story.


    "I see... I must have worried you then, Lace?" Abraham smiled as her reaction wasn''t that much beyond his expectation. While she was strong, if he had seen her punching a wall with blood everywhere, his reaction would have been much the same. Perhaps a bit worse.


    "But why have you done this, to begin with, Fleet Admiral?"


    Charlotte coolly questioned, wondering the maddening behavior of the fleet admiral. No one punches a wall for thousands of times for no reason. She had been rather confused, especially with the hectic change of the fleet admiral in terms of appearance.


    "Well, it''s a bit difficult to exin it. But in simpler terms, I felt that I had been given a chance to break beyond potential. I don''t know how or why, I was as confused as the two of you when I felt it." Taking his words in their simplest meanings, he wasn''t technically lying to the two of them.


    "I thought that the best training that could help me break out of my potential is perhaps the most simple and grueling one. And so, I began punching this wall for a hundred thousand times." Abraham smiled and nced at the rock wall shrouded with cracks.


    "It was difficult and extremely painful, to be honest. However, I can tolerate any hardships and pain for the sake of growth. After all, I can''t stay the same forever. Especially with the United Navy growing by the minute, I''m sure the two of you will understand right?"


    He carefully exined the reasoning for his actions, hoping that the two of them would understand his side. While it was certainly foolish that he had injured himself into damnation by punching a wall over a hundred thousand times, it was something he would do again if given the chance to do so.


    After a short while, Lace sighed since she understood the need for power in this world. One can''t stagnate with enemies roaming everywhere. Besides, she wouldn''t always be with Abraham every moment. Perhaps this was a piece of good news for the two of them.


    "Alright, I''ll take it as it is for now. But I hope you will tell me when you''re nning to jump onto a volcano. At the very least, when things turns into its worst. I''ll be there for you." Lace uttered to Abraham, who merely gave her a teasing smile. She couldn''t help but clicked her tongue and pout.


    On the other hand, Charlotte stared at the rock wall filled with cracks of many sort. She could only shake her head and nced at Abraham. "What the fleet admiral does is none of my business. However, I hope that you would take care of yourself. Not for the United Navy, but for you."


    "Alright, I''ll stick your words into my mind." Abraham lightly chuckled, but soon noticed something unusual. He squinted his gaze at the two gorgeousdies and felt that something was amiss. Lace furrowed her eyebrows while Charlotte frowned, both wondering why he was staring at them.


    "Now that I think about it... Are the two of you a head smaller than usual?" He raised his eyebrows, wondering why the two had shrunk. When they heard his words, Lace and Charlotte also noticed the strange disposition of the middle-aged man.


    It was Lace that realized the truth first.


    "It wasn''t us that shrunk. It was you who grew. Quite much taller than before..." Lace sized up Abraham from head to toe and noticed that he was fairlyrge for a human. He stood tall for about seven and a half feet or 2.29 meters. One might falsely consider him an Avatar of a God if they saw him.


    Immediately, Lace turned her gaze towards his groin, curious whether or not it had grown with him. Meanwhile, Charlotte felt a bit strange, especially after noticing the tattered clothing of the fleet admiral, revealing a bit of his half-naked body.


    Abraham feltfortable to be scrutinizingly observed at by two gorgeous women. Besides, why was the dragoness so horny? If not for his Perk of Recovery, he would have died in exhaustion during their second bout. She was akin to a demoness sucking his soul out of his body.


    Nheless, this wasn''t the time to talk about such things.


    *Cough!* He coughed out loud, bringing the two of out their noticeable trance. Lace shook her head and wiped out the bit of drool that had managed to escape her supple lips. Charlotte also covered her face, trying to hide a tinge of her crimson blush.


    "At any rate, my size might be a bit troublesome. Most of my clothes wouldn''t fit me in my current physique." Abraham looked at his body, noticing his bulging muscles. The effects of the Personal-Power was exaggerating.


    It made him wonder about its current limits.


    "The clothing department of the United Navy have grown versatile these past few months. With the inclusion of various beastfolks in our ranks, several kinds and types of clothing were made." Charlotte stated to the fleet admiral, not wanting him to worry.


    "I guess that should work for me. Though, I''d like to test something." Abraham pulled out his hands and clenched them into bing his fist. He gazed at it, while the twodies did the same. They already had an idea regarding what he''d like to test.


    He took a deep breath as Lace and Charlotte observed him with intrigued. They have also wondered how much of Abraham''s power had grown. The most curious was Lace. After all, she could feel a slightly threatening aura from her lover.


    Abraham looked at the rock wall that was slightly painted with the red hue of his blood. It had withstood a hundred thousand punches from him as it was the base of a mountain''s apex. But perhaps, this will be thest time it stands tall amidst the northern teau of Crescere.


    Unexpectedly, however... He opened his clenched fingers and ced his hand onto the rough surface of the rock wall. The edges of his lips rose for a little bit, before he turned his head towards Lace and Charlotte.


    "I guess it''s time for us to return. We don''t want them worrying with the three of us gone." Abraham walked away from the rock wall, making the anticipation of the two anti-climatic. Lace was deep in thought, while Charlotte tilted her head and questioned.


    "Weren''t you going to punch the rock wall, fleet admiral?" Hearing her, Abraham merely smirked and shook his head. "There''s no need to use so much force against a mere wall."


    "Right, Lace?" He looked at the dragoness, who maintained her gaze at the rock wall.


    Charlotte also nced at it, curious about what the fleet admiral had done to it. It didn''t take a moment for the results of Abraham''s touch to appear. *BANG!!!* Out of nowhere, a powerful shockwave sted outward. She squinted her eyes from the gust of wind roaring out.


    When nature and its surroundings calmed down overtime. She focused at what was in front of her and saw a shocking yet grandiose scene. The entire rock wall and the mountain apex above it were sted into dust.


    There was nothing left but the beautiful night sky brimming with hundreds of twinkling stars.

 Chapter 180: | 180 | Admirals Return to the Port of Dawn

    Abraham along with Lace and Charlotte walked through the metallic and somewhat futuristic-looking hallway of the Port of Dawn''smand center. Along the way, he felt the gaze of each personnel that passed right by the three of them.


    Although a bit ufortable, he understood their confusion when their fleet admiral just grew out of nowhere despite being a middle-aged man. It was already enough that none of them were questioning his identity as the fleet admiral and misunderstanding him as an imposter.


    "That''s what you get for breaking out of your potential, Abraham. You get stared at by your own subordinates." Lace cheekily remarked, making Abraham re at her as there was no need to spell it out in front of him.


    "I guess they are merely curious about the sudden change, Fleet Admiral. It''s strange for a middle-aged man to get hit by arrow of puberty." Charlotte joined in, slightly chuckled at the circumstance of her superior.


    "Puberty, eh? I guess our Abraham is finally a grown man now." Lace squinted her eyes and maintained her teasing smile. Abraham merely controlled himself from smacking her head, deciding against it as it would make the teasing worser.


    "But isn''t the change worth it?"


    Abraham muttered under his breath, which made the dragoness smile. Charlotte also smiled, ncing at the problem dragon to help the guy. "It''s obviously worth it, Abraham. Did the evolution make your memory worse?"


    "Have you forgotten what you have done to the apex of the mountain in the northern teau? Your subordinates will be wondering what had decimated it from the face of the earth." Lace patted his back and cheered up her lover.


    "However, the increase in strength has its own challenge. It wouldn''t be physical, but mental troubles. The change will be a lot more curve than what you had previously experience. If you lower your guard, they might be the ones who will get hurt." She looked forward, implying something obvious.


    Abraham ced his hand on his hair and shook it. He understood the worries of the dragoness. Controlling someone''s strength was merely a process of making one not ignorant of their body. Others might not take it seriously, but with his current strength, he had to take it seriously.


    Otherwise, his subordinates might get hurt. While they probably wouldn''t mind, he was never the kind of man who would hurt one of his own even in ident. He''d rather avoid it than actually doing it.


    With this in mind, he decided that it might be necessary to have some training regarding his control over his body. However, that was forter. For now, he had to tackle the worries of hismanding officers over his disappearance these past few days.


    It didn''t take long before they arrived at the end of the hallway. The metallic door in front of them slid open, revealing the strategicmand room of the entire building. Inside were over a dozen ofmanding officers under hismand.


    All of them stood in their respective positions, their back straight, and their gazepletely focused at him. Their eyes were scrutinizing, worrisome, and delighted. Naturally, they had wondered what had happened to the fleet admiral. But were satisfied that he was back.


    Abraham stepped into the strategicmand room, his tall and wide figure looming over themanding officers. Meanwhile, the dragoness stood beside him and Charlotte stepped forward. After all, she was second to the fleet admiral, the vice admiral of the United Navy.


    "Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd has arrived!" She uttered towards themanding officer, her cold and dominating voice resounded throughout the strategicmand room. The moment they had heard her, they immediately saluted and cried out at the same time.


    """Fleet Admiral!!!"""


    Seeing their liveliness back, Abraham slightly chuckled and walked towards his seat in the strategicmand room while addressing themanding officers. "Apologies for being gone for quite some time, I have been making you work overtime in my absence and made you worry."


    "I have merely gone somewhere in the ind of Crescere training myself to be stronger. The results of such training is the me in front of you. The training was fraught with difficulty and required all of my determination along with my sanity."


    "Fortunately, I havepleted it." After he concluded his address, he sat on hisfy chair, overlooking the entirety of the strategicmand room. "Now that I''m back. I guess it''s time to presume operations over the uing war."


    With that, Abraham was back in the top of the United Navy. It was time to start overseeing the naval organization and hear its progress these past few days. As such, themanding officers began giving their reports.


    The first report that he had heard was thepletion of the repairs of the Red Fleet. They would soon bepletely operational and ready to be deployed back to the sea. It was a piece of good news as the Red Fleet was a significant amount of the United Navy''s naval power.


    It also made Abraham remember the Construction Yard Vulcan. Since he had ordered destroyers from the instation, he needed to provide the warships a crew of their own. Because of this, he had ordered the creation of a naval academy.


    This would give them a steady supply of naval personnel without the need to bepletely reliant in the summoning of the Naval Gacha System.


    Nheless, the second report was about the status of the war preparation. The logistics have been formed and readied. All he needed to do was give them a go and the war would immediately start. Naturally, all of the forces under the United Navy would be participating in this war.


    From the Naval Warships, the United Army, Special Response Unit, Liberation Front, and the Minos Armed Guards.


    They wouldn''t hold back their firepower. Especially when their enemies would be Magus and the control of the sea region on the line. It would be foolish as the moment they lose the war. The United Navy might end up copsing from the lost.


    Obviously, it was something he''d rather avoid.


    The third report was mostly about the economic prosperity of the Port of Dawn and its allied inds. Trade has been booming as products across all inds were being traded into each and one another. It was quite a good advancement, especially to the allied inds as it would make them closer to the United Navy.


    But the economic growth of self-development between inds had its limits. If they wanted more, they needed to go beyond the sea region and explore the inter-sea trade of other factions. However, before they could even think of such thing.


    They must finished the war before them and take over the sea region of Terra.


    The fourth report was the most surprising one. It was about the calming of the former southern colony, Austerus. With the rebel leader gone, the rebellion had broken apart into various factions. They were much weaker and more disorganized than ever before.


    Most of the rebels were also surrendering to the United Navy en masse. A beastfolk governor has also been picked after further deliberation to manage the beastfolks of the south. The United Navy aided them in the governance, but nothing more than that.


    Blood has been spilled over thend of the south. It wasn''t something that would easily be forgotten and the forces of the United Navy have be more cautious of the south. It would take a long time before their status would be elevated to that of the State of Minos.


    Regardless of their status in regards to the United Navy. It was a piece of good news that the troubles in the south had finally ended. At the very least, they wouldn''t diverting resources towards it. Especially with the uing war against the home ind of Terra.


    With the fourth report, the short meeting between themanding officers and the fleet admiral had reached its conclusion. Abraham stood up from his small yetfy chair and gazed at the officers with satisfaction. They have handled the United Navy well while he was gone.


    It made him somewhat proud.


    "I''m proud for your hard work these past few days, mymanding officers. You have done well in managing the United Navy without me. I will never be thankful enough for your determination." Abraham uttered to hismanding officers, who also stood up with straightened backs.


    "We are d that the Fleet Admiral is back tomand us." Captain Lux said with a smile.


    "I feel the same." Captain Howard also smiled.


    "The Fleet Admiral has no need to be thankful as it is our duty and our loyalty that fuels our determination." Rear-Admiral George remarked, smiling at Abraham.


    The followingmanding officers gave their words, reminding Abraham of their loyalty that would make them follow him until the end of this world. It was the loyalty that he had appreciated since the beginning of his summoning of them.


    "Alright, thank you for your words. This short meeting will be dismiss." Abraham coolly said, ending the short meeting in the strategic andmand room of themand center. He nodded to themanding officers and soon left the premises, leaving them behind with their thoughts.


    Charlotte and Lace followed from behind, gazing at the wide and firm back of the fleet admiral.


    "It''s hard not to feel bless to be the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy." Abraham muttered under his breath, tucking the supple lips of the two gorgeousdies upward.

 Chapter 181: | 181 | Sensitivity Control

    Somewhere in the eastern grasnd of the ind of Crescere, the fleet admiral stood alone in the middle of a vast nd, maintaining a serious stance. Surrounding him were dozens of specialists preparing their measuring equipment while beside him was Lace.


    It has been a day since his returned to the Port of Dawn and as the fleet admiral of the United Navy. Things have beenplicated the moment he got back, his strength gave him more trouble than what he had previously expected.


    "What did I say about you not knowing your strength?" Lace uttered with a smirk stered on her face. She had heard about her lover breaking doorknobs and doors while also idently blowing up walls with a simple gesture. It was quite a hectic affair.


    "I had thought that acting normal and pretending I was an average human would not cause problems to my surroundings. It seems that I overestimated the control of my mind over my body." Abraham remarked, ncing at his own bulging yet firm arms.


    Now that the previously excitement of acquiring such power had faded in his mind. Reality dawned upon as he would never be normal like before. He would live his entire life holding his body back from idently destroying the fragile objects around it.


    "That is the price of power, my Abraham. But rest assured, it shouldn''t take long before you adjust your sensitivity in regards to your strength." Lace gave him a beaming smile while giving him some confidence in regards to his ability to ept such power.


    ''I know your talent the most. Adapting is your best skill.'' Her beaming smile slightly became a lewd one after remembering the night when Abraham adapted to the intensity of their nightly adventures. If she couldn''t exhaust him down to his core, he would adapt in a few seconds.


    Quite a formidable enemy indeed.


    "While I appreciate your words, why do I feel like there''s something amiss about them?" Abraham raised his eyebrows, noticing the strange facial expression of the dragoness. That lewd smile was extremely noticeable for the current him.


    "It''s a woman''s secret." Lace pouted and stepped back, maintaining a grin on her face. "At any rate, the testing is about to begin. We have to find your limits so that we can know how much sensitivity is needed when adjusting your strength."


    "I don''t remember you doing this kind of testing, Lace?" Abraham furrowed his eyebrows since despite having more power than him. Lace never went into some kind of testing. However, her response made him even more annoyed. "That''s because I''m good at controlling my body."


    "I''m sure you already know it, right? After all, I gave you a first-hand experience."Her following words made the cheeks of the fleet admiral be slightly tint in crimson red. He remembered her muscle control, which made it seem like his rod was being swallowed.


    ''Damn, Abraham! Control yourself!'' Abraham took control over his mind and red at the dragoness, who was already in a distance, chuckling at him and making sure to revel at his embarrassment.


    "Sir, our measuring equipment are ready. The first thing we will be testing is the maximum limits of your strength. Behind you are weights for the testing." A specialist reported to the fleet admiral, who looked back and saw his weights.


    Abraham couldn''t help but get confused and mutter to himself. "A car, a truck, a fishing boat, a tank, and a strange-looking truck? How the hell did these get here in the middle of the eastern grasnd?" Regardless of his questions, he needed to finish the test as to not waste anymore time in the ins.


    "Alright, I''ll start with the car." Abraham stretched his limbs and walked forward towards the car. Holding its side tightly with one single hand, he brought the car up onto the air feeling it lighter than a feather. Upon this realization, he began ying with it like a man throwing a ball around.


    "It doesn''t feel much different than a feather." He stopped ying with the car and ced it to whence it came from. He looked at the next weight which was a heavy-duty truck. It might be a dozen times heavier than the car, so he expected to feel some weight from it.


    As such, Abraham held the heavy-duty truck and picked it up from the ground. He raised his eyebrows and noticed that it still felt the same as car. As though he was holding a single feather above him. It felt unnaturally light despite the truck being bigger than him.


    "This feels weird." He mumbled to him, making Lacement in the distance. "You''ll get use to it, Abraham." She smiled at him while cheering for him in the background. Abraham turned his head away from her, not wanting the dragoness to get satisfaction from his embarrassment.


    After understanding that the heavy-duty truck wouldn''t be enough, he turned his attention to the fishing boat. Without any further hesitation and dy, he dropped the heavy-duty truck and picked up the fishing boat. He soon frowned, noticing that it was more or less the same.


    It felt vexing since it felt like he was wasting his time. It made him wonder if he should try carrying a giant boulder for a change. Perhaps, he might feel the weight he wished to perceived. However, for now... The next in his eyes was the Abram Tank.


    But before he could even try picking it up, a specialist in the distance reported to him. "Please take care of the tank, Fleet Admiral. We have borrowed it from the United Army. They want it back intact." It was a reminder for him to restrain his strength.


    "Okay." Abraham responded and looked at the tank in front of him. He stepped forward and carefully held the actual frame of the tank. He didn''t have an ounce of hesitation as he picked it up with a single hand. And like before, it felt like picking up a feather.


    "Damn..." He had realized the full-scope of how troublesome his newfound power could be. Picking up a tank and acting as though it was a feather made him extremely dangerous. Especially towards his subordinates who were more or less normal humans.


    One wrong movement might idently kill them. He wouldn''t want tomit murder to his own men. It would give a bad taste in his mouth, and he would probably have a hard time sleeping for the rest of his life.


    ''I have to be careful.'' With this in mind, Abraham decided to take the sensitivity testing seriously. He didn''t want the idents inside his mind to actually happened. So, he had to take no chances in controlling his strength. It was a responsibility that needed to be done as fast as possible.


    "I have to continue." He carefully ced the tank back onto the ground and made sure that it wasn''t damaged. He observed it with scrutiny, investigating it for any dents. Thankfully, the Abrams didn''t have any dents.


    After confirming that the status of the tank was good, Abraham turned his attention to the final weight that was brought over by the specialists. It was a strange-looking haul truck that was called BelAZ 75710. The truck was supposed to be in the quarry of the northern teau.


    The specialists brought it to the eastern grasnd to assist the testing of the fleet admiral. They had previously thought that there would be no need for the truck. But it appears that they were wrong. They needed more than the truck as the strength of the fleet admiral appeared to be limitless.


    Abraham stood in front of the haul truck and soon walked under it. Seconds passed and the haul truck was lifted from the ground. It was over a hundred tons in terms of weight. A normal man would have been crushed a thousand times over under such a weight.


    Nheless, he carried it with ease and it felt the same as the ones before it. It felt like he was carrying a single feather, which made him a bit irritated as his strength was making it harder for him by the moment.


    ''Let''s not get ourselves arrogant, Abraham. I should be thankful with this strength. I will be able to hold my own against the Magus, perhaps even crush them with ease.'' Abraham took a deep breath and calmed himself down. To be annoyed by limitless strength was foolish, so he controlled himself.


    Meanwhile, Lace had apletely different reaction from the confused yet determined Abraham. On her face was a smile, a maddened one from the realization that her lover had be something more. His strength had gone farther than ever before.


    And for some reason, it excited her. She had always been a dragon, an arrogant one. Even though she seeks the equality of life, her bloodline would always deem it necessary to see others as cattle. It was a w engraved to her very being, even if she had evolved in some way.


    Lace loved Abraham in the depths of her heart. Imagining him standing beside her, caring for her until the end of time, gave her satisfaction that goes beyond the bounds of her nature. It was because of this, her crazed smile emerged.


    After all, Abraham had grown stronger and in his current state. Perhaps, it wouldn''t take long until the two of them would be there throughout the uing millennium of the world. Maybe until its very end. But the future was brimming with challenges, troubles that might cost them their life.


    ''However... With Abraham beside me, I feel that I can rule the world.''

 Chapter 182: | 182 | Heights that can be Reached

    "The maximum strength testing isn''t doing us any good. It''s hard to find his limits, especially when none of our weight variables are effective in testing him. I guess this is to be expected from the Fleet Admiral." A specialist sighed to himself, noticing how it was going nowhere.


    "Alright, let''s begin the next test." He decided to move forward and abandon the maximum strength testing for now, until they could find an effective weight variable for the fleet Admiral. Hearing his words, the surrounding specialists nodded in agreement.


    The next testing for the fleet admiral was the Explosive Strength Test. Unlike the Maximum Strength Test, which required him to lift heave objects. It merely needed him to produce his maximal force in as little time as possible. Training rted to such a test were sprinting and jumping.


    Along with the current data of his weight, the results of such trainings might assist them in identifying the limits of his strength. With this in mind, one of the specialist stepped forward and announced the next testing to the fleet admiral.


    "Sir, we will begin the Explosive Strength Test. Such tests merely consists of sprinting and jumping as we don''t have any weights that would impede your body. First, we will start with jumping." The test was simple, and Abraham nced at them, giving them a nod of confirmation.


    On the other hand, Lace kept observing her lover. The crazed smile from before never bothered to leave her face. She was excited and her instinct of domination was desiring Abraham. Naturally, she kept it under control since it wouldn''t do good if she followed her instincts as a dragon.


    At any rate, with the confirmation of the fleet admiral. It was time to start the first phase of the Explosive Strength Test. Their measuring equipment were all pointed at Abraham with some pointing at the sky above them.


    After all, now that they had an idea of how limitless the strength of their fleet admiral was. Most of them had a feeling that the results of such a test might go beyond their understanding.


    Abraham took a deep breath, noticing the gaze of every specialist in the area. Now that he had thought about it, ever since gaining the power of a Superhuman, he had never jumped once. Perhaps, it was a fortunate thing to have happened.


    Now, he could jump in a controlled environment.


    With no dy, he concentrated his strength and power at the firm muscles of his legs. He squinted his eyes and a momentter... Released everything he got. *BOOM!!!* Out of nowhere, an explosion resounded outward, shockwave piercing through the evergreen grass of the vast in.


    The specialists had to hold their equipment tightly as the shockwave was threatening to push them away. Lace stood at where she was, not bothered by an ounce of air ruffling through her silver hair. She maintained a smirk, gazing upward into the heavens.


    Most of the specialists also looked up and couldn''t see the fleet admiral in the skies. Their measuring equipment, however, was picking up his signal far beyond the height they could conceive in their minds.


    One of the specialist took noticed of the measured height in the monitor and felt incredibly astounded. He shocked was perceived by his colleagues, who nced at the monitor and saw the numbers disyed on its screen.


    "H-How is this possible?" A specialist uttered in shock, his arm trembling from how his beliefs of reality were breaking apart. Some things could be exin by magic. Others could be understood as the results of magic. But all of them knew that no humans from the former world could ever hold magic.


    As such... It made them wonder what their fleet admiral was.


    "It''s increasing!" Another specialist cried out, bringing the attention of everyone near him.


    1,458m...5,789m...12,156m...16,471m...20,512m


    From the sea level and into a height of 20 kilometers, it only took three seconds. This gave Abraham an approximate speed of Mach 20, which was beyond unbelievable. If it was Lace who disyed such a feat, they would have taken it with a grain of salt, but also understand it.


    After all, the dragoness was a magical creature. A dragon, the apex of all living things created by nature. It was understandable for her to disy quite an impossible feat. But not too long ago, even though strong, their fleet admiral was still a human in the standards of the foreign world.


    With the breathtaking circumstance before them, it was clear that their fleet admiral have gone beyond the limits of what was humanly possible. He had entered the realm of unnatural, making him akin to a deity of some sort.


    Though, despite their surging thoughts, one world escape their lips.


    "Superhuman..."


    Meanwhile, beyond the heavens above the earth. Abraham observed a rare and beautiful scenery before him. Now that he had thought about it, he never had taken a good look of this world. A world shrouded with mysteries, magic, and fantasy.


    It should bepletely different from his world, a ce that nonsense might exist.


    ''It''s vast...'' He thought while the heavens before him appeared to expand endlessly without a horizon. It made him question if this world was a or some t and infinite ne. However, its vastness wasn''t what amazed him the most.


    Abraham gazed forward, looking deep into the farthest parts of the heavens. His eyes was the greatest as it could be, like a telescope that observes into distances with precision, rity, and ease. It took a moment, but he could finally see it.


    "It exists..." He remembered when he was first transmigrated into the ind of Crescere. Arriving into its beach, he looked into the distance and saw a massive figure piercing through the skies while walking along the horizon.


    He had previously thought of it as a hallucination of his confused and somewhat maddened mind. But it looks like his eyes had never lied to him, it was real. He didn''t know how far it was, even so, it was real. He wasn''t maddened or hallucinating it.


    ...


    In the far distance beyond what was called a horizon. Walking in what appeared to be the end of the world was a massive humanoid-looking figure. It was the biggest he had ever seen, even looming over what could be considered as an entire sea region.


    Despite jumping so far into the ground, he hadn''t even reached its waist. He couldn''t help but wonder what it really was. How could such a thing even exist? A dragon like Lace was standing slightly behind what he could conceive as reality. Anything beyond that was mere fantasy.


    However, it looks like he needed to keep that world view in check as nonsense seemed to be how this foreign world works. Pretending it was rational and logical would be foolish, doing more bad than good. epting that it nonsense all along, gives peace.


    Before Abraham could enjoy the view above the heavens, gravity began pulling him back to whence he came from. He started freefalling like a meteor piercing through the atmosphere. He could feel the air around himbusting and zing, but he never felt a sting of pain.


    On the ground, the specialists observed the fleet admiral falling at an elerated speed. Most of them slowly backed away while sonic booms resounded one after another. *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* Their fleet admiral was descending like a meteor.


    The moment he impacted, they might die from the shockwave and the debris brought along with it. So, they didn''t hesitate to run. They left their measuring equipment behind as these things would be too heavy to carry along with them.


    As Abraham descended further, passing the kilometer-mark above the ground. Lace merely smiled and walked forward without a tinge of fear. She gazed at her falling lover and decided to give him a wake up call.


    *BAM!*


    Lace disappeared from where she stood and leaped onward. Her speed akin to a sword puncturing what was between the heaven and the earth. In only a single moment, she intercepted the falling fleet admiral and met him with a scary smile.


    "Remembering where and who you''re falling into my love." She muttered through her supple lips and didn''t hesitate to kick the dumbfounded fleet admiral away from the specialists who were running for their lives.


    For the first time since transforming into a Superhuman, Abraham felt pain. It appears that the dragoness wasn''t someone that he could underestimate.


    Though, regardless of the stinging pain he felt from his lover''s kick, Abraham crashed into the distance bringing about a bright light followed by a thunderous roar.


    *BOOM!!!*


    If he had directly impacted the spot where the specialists were near, there was no doubt that they would have be indirect and pitiful casualties of an explosion. At any rate, the shockwave spread far and wide.


    The specialists who were running for their lives finally had a moment to breath. They looked back and saw that the dragoness had save them from their impending doom, making them cheer at her for saving their lives. After all, they really thought they wouldn''t be able to see their families again.


    On the other hand, Lacended inside the crater where Abrahamnded and stood beside him. She gazed at her lover who was coughing from the most unremarkablending of humankind. His clothes were disintegrated, leaving him almost naked.


    He waved the smoke away while remarking to the dragoness with a smile.


    "Damn, that wasn''t a greatnding. Thank you for saving them, Lace."


    "d to be of your service, Abraham." Lace maintained her smile, observing the naked body of her lover with scrutiny before leaving him with a thumbs up.


    "10 out of 10."

 Chapter 183: | 183 | Apostles of Terra Firma

    In the ind of Terra, situated deep in the northern waters of the sea region. Its colonial government and military were preparing for the inevitable. The battle for supremacy between the Colonial Dominion of Terra and a foreign force known as the United Navy.


    The power and capacity of the United Navy were now fully understood. Their capabilities for warfare was something one couldn''t underestimate. Most importantly, their technology was too advance for the world, estimating to be a hundred-years beyond them.


    Warring against such a force costed the Colonial Dominion almost all of its colonies, leaving itself alone, dested in the sea region. Naturally, they had sent a distress call. A call for help amidst in the looming battle ahead of them. But... None answered, but one.


    The forces surrounding the Colonial Dominion of Terra were observing the results of the conflict in the sea region. Either the status quo remains for the Ferus Sea, or the beginning of a new era arrives. After all, the sea region of Terra stands between the Europa and the New World.


    Who controls the sea in-between will change the destiny of those before and after. One would expect the uncaring Sovereigns to have a response against such an impending threat. But they remained aloof, indifferent of who may one the gates of the New World.


    Europa has greater threats before it and inside of it than a sea far beyond its shores. Their attention pointed inwards near their continent where races that rivals theirs dwell. One wrong move might cost them a war that unravels the world. As such, the maind remains in indefinite silence.


    But it wasn''t like none of the Sovereign had stakes over the New World. There was a Sovereign who pioneered the advancement of Colonial Dominions and its expansionary fleets. He stood amongst the greatest of all Magus, akin to a godlike being of legends.


    His name was Terra Firma, the Earth Sovereign.


    ...


    Somewhere in the ind of Terra stood the Magus Tower overseeing the Magi-kind in the sea region. It pierced through the heavens, symbolizing humanity''s wisdom almost rivalling that of the Gods. An arrogant disposition of a young race, yet an understandable one.


    For they who startedst now rivals those who were before them.


    "Does the Sovereign really not care if the Colonial Dominion of Terra falls, Arch Magus?" The Viceroy questioned as it was clear that the United Navy was growing in power. Their defeat appeared to be inevitable, unless someone outside overturns the whole table.


    The Arch Magus, Gunther, furrowed his eyebrows and calmly reprimanded the Viceroy. "Don''t say such foolish words, Sir Viceroy. The Sovereign hears everything. It''s better to stay quiet than meet their punishment." Hearing him, the Viceroy shut his mouth up.


    The power of a Sovereign was akin to that of a God. The Viceroy didn''t want to test the limits of how much they were a God. He''d rather live to see tomorrow than die through a fool''s death.


    Gunther gazed at the Viceroy and sighed. He understood the most why the Viceroy was anxious in the uing battle. The United Navy was growing far stronger than ever before. Its fleets had grown into a number far above what they could handle.


    Even with the help of the Magus Tower, it would be difficult to turn the bnce of the battlefield with them. This was without the Dragon of Liberation assisting the invading army of the United Navy. Their traps had been well-established. Whether it would work or not could only be observed once the finale begin.


    As such, the stakes werepletely against them. They were in the losing side of history, this was a fact.


    However, the Arch Magus knew the most that the Sovereign wouldn''t abandoned them. The stakes in the Colonial Dominion of Terra were too high to be disregarded. The one Sovereign with the most stakes in the Ferus Sea should be the godfather of the ind itself.


    Terra Firma, the Earth Sovereign.


    However, by the unwrittenws of the Sovereigns, he wouldn''t be able to personally make a move with his actual body. This meant that there were only two things that could assist them in the final battle. It would be either him appearing through a weak avatar, or the Apostles emerging to fight with them.


    "Don''t be anxious about the final battle, Sir Viceroy. You must trust the Sovereign and their wisdom. They will aide us in this battle, and we shall retrieve victory from the corpses of the Dragon and the so-called Fleet Admiral." The Arch Magus uttered with unrivalled confidence.


    The Magus Tower has ruled over humanity for hundreds of years. It wouldn''t fall just because of a force with the foul technology of the future.


    Hearing the words of the Arch Magus that seemed to radiate with determination, the Viceroy felt his anxiousness calmed down. He shouldn''t panic as he was the face of the colonial government. Even if he was afraid, he must face their enemies without fear.


    The Viceroy seriously gazed at the Arch Magus in front of him and realized that he had forgotten the power of magicraft because of his fear towards the United Navy. Magicraft was the ability to tap the endless potential of manipting reality as one sees fit.


    Even the lowest of Magus could conjure mes with the flick of their fingers. He shouldn''t be despairing about fighting against humans with not even a tinge of mana inside their bodies.


    "Apologies over my foolish state, Arch Magus. I shall take your words at heart and trust you with the entirety of my being. The colonial government and its military will fight until the very end." The Viceroy gave his word, understanding that this wasn''t the time for foolish schemes.


    "Thank you for your trust, Sir Viceroy. The Magus Tower has been working hard to contact the Imperium Magus Tower in Europa. It shouldn''t take long before we receive a response from the main-." Gunther revealed to the Viceroy, aiming to calm him even further.


    "There''s no need for the two of you to keep anticipating."


    But before he could continue speaking to the Viceroy, an uncaring voice interrupted the conversation of the two authorities in the Colonial Dominion of Terra. The Viceroy raised his eyebrows, wondering who would dare to interrupt their conversation.


    On the other hand, the Arch Magus became dumbfounded and immediately stood up from hisfy and gothic chair. He casted a spell to the Viceroy, which forced the man to kneel, while he followed suit.


    "It is an honor to be in the majesties of the great ones. I assume you must be the Apostles of the Great Sovereign, Terra Firma?" Gunther gazed onward into the creeping shadows within the corners of his office. A chuckle resounded from the shadows as three figures escaped its hold.


    "As expected of an Arch Magus, you know our identities well. Our Master has sent us here to clean up the troubles brewing in the sea region of Terra. The so-called United Navy, the Dragon of Liberation, and its Fleet Admiral are destined to fall." A noble-like voice resounded in the office.


    "Be honored." A grumpy one followed, while thest one was in utter silence.


    When the Viceroy heard the Arch Magus, he finally understood why they were required to kneel.


    In the Magus Tower, the ranking of Magus entirely depends on how much they had grown in the study of magicraft. The lowest of all Magi were the Wyvern Riders, followed by the War Masters. These two were detested by the pure mages of the tower, the Magus.


    Nevertheless, they belong to the Magus Tower, not as its members, but its tools. After the two were the Acolytes, students under a Magus. They were perceived as greater as they have the potential to be great Magus within the tower''s teachings.


    Once they graduated, they would be a Magus. And if a Magus achieves a higher realm in their study of magicraft. They would be given the rank of Master Magus. However, even with the great power of a Magus and a Master Magus, they still belong in the realms of mortals.


    To go beyond was to be an Arch Magus, the most respected rank in the Magus Tower aside from the Sovereigns and their Apostles. To be an Arch Magus, one must acquire a specialized-study of magicraft. The limits of humanity was that they don''t have enough time.


    Specialties needed to be birth if the humanity required their greater talents to exceed further beyond in their lifetime.


    A magic-specialty was what separated the ordinary to the extraordinary. For example, if one Magus specialized in the elemental-magic of fire, their offensive, defensive, and support magic will reflect their specialization.


    Even though theycked the versatility of a Magus or a Master Magus, their efficiency, expertise, and understanding would be farther deeper than the two. This would make them wielder of their own respective elements, making them akin to Spirits of the Old.


    Such were the ranking of the Magus, but there were others that go beyond such rankings. First were the Inquisitors of the Inquisition, who have pledged themselves to stand equal before the Sovereigns. Second was the Apostles, Arch Magi who have been personally favored by the highest of authorities in humanity.


    With this in mind, the Viceroy had realized that three individuals far stronger than Arch Magus Gunther had emerged before him. Through their assistance against the Dragon of Liberation, the United Navy, and its Fleet Admiral. Victory might be in the horizon for the Colonial Dominion.


    A tinge of hope flickered brilliantly in his heart.

 Chapter 184: | 184 | Abilities of Superhuman

    Returning back to the vast ins of the eastern grasnd in the ind of Crescere, Lace raised her eyebrows while distantly gazing to the north. Her instincts alerted at her, signifying that the situation might be moreplicated than what they had previously thought.


    "Hey, Lace... Is there something wrong? Did you feel something?" Abraham''s worried yet curious voice resounded to her ears, bringing her out of her trance. Lace nced at her lover, who looked at her with raised eyebrows. "I felt something amiss going on in the north, Abraham."


    "My instincts are never wrong in the dangers of the unnatural." She followed onto her words, making Abraham furrow his eyebrows. Her instincts weren''t to be underestimated. In his opinion, it was like a future-danger detector that would warn her of troubles before it could even happen.


    "It seems that the Colonial Dominion of Terra are preparing something in their sleeves. Do you think that the Sovereigns could be involved?" He questioned her love since she might have an idea regarding what goes through the mind of those crazy bastards.


    Hearing his words, Lace promptly shook her head and responded. "Sovereigns rarely intervene in matters that don''t concern them. They have greater enemies near them than to fight against someone so far from their continent."


    "As I said before, I have fought a Sovereign once. And even that wasn''t their actual body. A mere avatar that they had sent to take down the unruly bunch in their backyard. I doubt they would personally visit us with their actual bodies."


    "Otherwise, even with my strength, while I''d survive on my own, those around me might have their lives extinguished." The reason why she was confident against the Sovereign was because of this simple fact. They could only send avatars weak or strong to act on their will.


    "It looks like we have a difficult and long path ahead of us." Abraham smiled and patted the silver hair of the dragoness. It was soft, smooth, and somewhat silky. As if seducing him to pat it even further, though he halted his hand after noticing Lace pout.


    "At any rate, we can only move forward from now on. The beginning of our final operation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra should start soon. After all, most of our preparations have beenpleted." He coolly remarked while avoiding the gaze of the dragoness.


    "There''s no going back for the United Navy, me, and you. After all, this is the path we have taken. To be the enemy of the world that doesn''t make sense to us." He understood how difficult their destiny was. Many might die, but they must continue moving regardless.


    Such was their fate.


    For the freedom of all sapient life.


    "Making an enemy of the world is Tuesday for me, Abraham. I''m already known to many as the personification of Destruction itself." Lace softly smiled at Abraham as she would always be with him until the end of times.


    Before the two could continue with their conversation, the specialists ran towards them waving their arms with smiles stered on their faces. Seeing the specialists in the distance, Lace couldn''t help but lightly chuckle at their strange behavior.


    On the other hand, Abraham sighed in relief as none of them got hurt. It was good that Lace kicked him away while crashing back to the ground. Or else, they would have been blown up by the explosion following his unreliablending.


    "Even if you wanted to test how high you could jump, you should have thought about yournding. The specialists aren''t like the beastfolks who could take a beating once in a while. Their fragile." Lace remarked, opening up her arms as she shook her head in exasperation.


    "Yes, yes... I apologize for that Lace. I''ll have to stop treating myself like normal. Since those around me might get hurt if I idently moved my body in the wrong way, except for you, of course..." Abraham nced at Lace, while she red at him in annoyance.


    The specialists soon arrived before the two of them with straightened backs and a salute. Most of them apologized for the failure of the Explosive Strength Test. But Abraham didn''t mind it that much as it was mostly his fault to begin with.


    They also apologized and thanked Lace for saving their lives. Some even said that their families owes them their father. Such words merely made him shake his head, not wanting to hear more of their corny words.


    Though, Lace didn''t let them continue further into their series of thanks and apologies. She flicked her fingers, halting them from speaking even further while also attracting their attention. Noticing their gazes pointed at her, she dered to the specialists with grace and regality.


    "As you have noticed, the power of your Fleet Admiral goes beyond the limits of the natural. It is difficult to measure and dangerous to the ones measuring it. It borders the realm of the unnatural." Lace uttered to the specialists and continued.


    "With that in mind, I will be the one testing him further since I''m the only one in this ind that could handle his current state. I won''t bring him back unless he knows how to not break an egg inside his hand while punching a rock of some sort. So, you can be rest assured."


    After her deration, she waved them away, making them return to where they came from. They wouldn''t be needed anymore, and the weights they have brought with them also needed to be returned.


    Seeing the group of specialists returned to the Port of Dawn with slouched backs, Abraham could only look in pity. Nevertheless, he didn''t stop Lace from making them leave since he understood the most that he was akin to a time bomb.


    If they had kept testing him, there would be a moment where even the dragoness wouldn''t be able to save them. It was better for the specialists to stop testing fate with their lives.


    Once the specialist were gone from their sight, Lace turned her eyes to her lover, who was awaiting further instructions. She could only sigh since an image of a kid patiently waiting in front of her just blinked into her mind and disappeared a momentter.


    "Now that they''re gone, it''s time to truly test your capabilities." Her gaze turned into a scrutinizing one, taking attention of every part of his muscle, analyzing why he had gone stronger and how powerful he had be. But even through her insightful inspection, she only discovered one fact.


    It was that her lover''s cells were incredibly vigorous and vibrant. They contained much more lifeforce than ever before. Inparison, a normal human''s lifeforce was akin to a droplet of water, while Abraham''s was an entireke worth of water.


    "Hmm... It''s hard to discover more about you other than the special-trait in your physique. So instead, I''ll ask. After all, the owner of the body knows much more than a stranger does." Lace uttered and then questioned. "Be honest with me, Abraham. What are your capabilities are?"


    Hearing the honest question of Lace, Abraham turned silent. A serious expression formed on his face as he answered with determination. "I have two abilities I can draw from my physique. I don''t know how I perceived such abilities, but I can instinctually feel them."


    "The first one I already used when facing the rock wall I punched a hundred thousand times. I call it Internal Disruption as it doesn''t require too much force and destroys something in the inside. On the other hand, I am still making out the second one." Abraham scratched his head and continued.


    "I feel its existence somewhere deep inside me. However, drawing upon it is harder than the first one. It feels like releasing something from my body, which I instinctually kept inside."


    "And I have been trying to control myself since my evolution into this. After all, I don''t want to identally hurt my subordinates." His words resounded in the air. The dragoness could only nod in understanding, realizing the potential of her lover.


    ''It''s as if he was built to be a martial artist of some sort.'' Lace couldn''t help but remember a movie she had watched with Abraham after their nightly adventure. It was an action movie with a martial artist as a main character. Things like causing internal damage through a softer force were concepts in that movie.


    "If I had heard you correct, your second ability remains inactive because you''re holding back, right? Then, I have a great piece of news for you, my Abraham. Look behind me." Lace stated to the middle-aged man with a smirk stered on her face.


    Abraham followed her words and saw nothing behind her. There was merely the vast ins of the eastern grasnd along with the azure blue skies above them. It didn''t take long until he had realized what she had meant for him to understand.


    "I see..." His reply was short as he turned away from the Port of Dawn and gazed towards the direction of empty ins. He took a deep breath and focused his strength onto his right arm. Closing his eyes for a moment, he soon opened them with zing determination.


    Without the hesitance from before, Abraham punched forward in a seemingly instantaneous speed in the eyes of humans. In the following moments, a bright light flickered from his fist as a thunderous roar akin to the sts of a naval gun.


    *BANG!!!*


    Along side Internal Disruption, there was External Release.

 Chapter 185: | 185 | To Control Ones Strength

    Abraham''s fist gleamed with unparalleled brilliance akin to the sun itself descending before the vast ins of the eastern grasnd. It pierced through the air in a mere instant apanied by a distorted shriek along its way. Such was his second ability, External Release.


    *BANG!!!*


    As the brilliance of his fist glimmered even further, what followed was a shockwaveparable to that of a naval gun''s st. The air rumbled, propelled onward as if entirely dominated by his power. It crackled with dust and immediately impacted a small hill in the distance.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The thunderous roar of an explosion echoed throughout the vast in. It was as though a meteorite just crashednded onto the small hill, devastating everything near it. It was quite a sight, though shocking when one would proim it to be done by a human with no mana nheless.


    Abraham gazed forward, his eyes squinted with a tinge of determination. Fumes escaped his fist that had recently glowed with radiance as if foretelling that such astounding power came from his knuckles. However, no satisfaction or excitement escaped from him.


    After all, he had now realized what he had wielded in his body. His power wasn''t to be underestimated. Although not much whenpared to the dragoness, it was a lot more dangerous since his current self was far more unstable than the problem dragon.


    It wouldn''t do good if he idently used External Release while being in the Port of Dawn. Who knows how much destruction it would cause to those around him. Perhaps, casualties would emerge and maybe even his most loyal subjects would begin to fear him.


    ''I have to control myself. I need to be careful, otherwise they might die from my foolishness.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself, clenching his fist with a serious expression stered on his face. Before he could continue with his thoughts, however...


    He felt her soft hand patting over his shoulder, bringing him out of his trance. He nced at her with raised eyebrows and saw her with a calm smile on her supple lips. Her mouth soon opened and soothing words escaped from it.


    "There''s no need to fear your power, Abraham. It can only be dangerous if you be afraid of it or let it control you. You must ept it as a part of yourself now, and you have to be the one controlling it." Lace''s words resounded inside the confused mind of the middle-aged man.


    It brought him the sce he needed to tackle what he had just discovered as a part of himself.


    "Sorry about that, Lace. I just didn''t expect my fist to be capable of such power. That power should beparable to a kiloton worth of TNT. Not as strong as you, but extremely vtile in my hands." Abraham remarked after calming himself. A smile was on his face while Lace listened.


    "It wouldn''t be vtileter. After all, I will be training you until your understanding of your power bes sufficient to be nearby lesser beings. You must have remembered the words I have said to your subordinates."


    "You will not be returning until you can punch with your whole strength while not breaking an egg inside your fist." Lace smirked at her lover since it might have been the first time for her to train him. She was a bit excited while thoughts about what could happen flooded her mind.


    Though, she immediately shook them away as what was important was her lover''s control over his power. While things might be going well for him, his luck wouldn''t keep saving him from what could only be destined as a disaster.


    "Training, huh? I never thought about that. If I had heard you wanting to train me just a week ago, I would have thought of it as a death sentence." He lightly chuckled, earning the annoyed gaze of the dragoness. She didn''t appreciate himparing her training to a death sentence.


    After all, he was much stronger than all of the beastfolks she had seen. If they could handle her training, why can''t he? Even if it was difficult, it wouldn''t be a death sentence to someone of his stature.


    "Not sure how my training would be a death sentence for someone who simply decided to punch a rock wall for a hundred thousand times." Lace shook her head and uttered with a mocking tone. Abraham froze since there was no need to rubbed his grueling training back to his face.


    But he understood that it was somewhat his fault forparing her training to a death sentence. He sighed to himself and rubbed the back of his head while apologizing. "Alright, alright... It''s my fault. I should be honored to be train by the legendary dragon of the United Navy."


    "Praising me wouldn''t earn you my favor." Lace looked away with a pout on her face. Seeing her cute side once in a while awaken the beast inside Abraham, the edges of his lips rose as he took a short bite of his ears. "Shall I apologize even further, Lace?"


    Her cheeks blushed with a tinge of crimson red. She didn''t think it was a great time for them to be flirting, especially when he still needed to train up his strength sensitivity. Even though she wanted it, she pushed him away and muttered. "It''s not the time yet, Abraham."


    "You need to know how to control yourself first. Perhaps, if you get a high grade, I''ll give you a treat." As more of her words escaped her supple lips, Lace became even more confident. A smirk slowly formed on her face as her fingers yed along on his firm chest.


    Seeing the reignited confidence of his lover, Abraham lightly chuckled and decided to back off. His teasing might bring upon a greater circumstance for the two of them. "I''ll keep that in mind." Though, he remained confident, even though he had practically retreated from her.


    Now that distance had been made between the two of them, Lace faintly coughed and concentrate her thoughts in the matter of training her love. From what he had told her, his weapons were the Internal Disruption and External Release.


    All of which merely required his body without the need of even a bit of mana. His physical strength was entirely biological, unlike her who was a magical-creature at heart. If one follows thews of this world, Abraham might even be more unnatural than a dragon such as herself.


    However, since she was merely training him to gain the sensitivity needed for his strength. It was time for her to go back to the basics. With this in mind, Lace picked apact rock from the ground and threw it to Abraham.


    "ce this rock inside of your fist. The moment you crush them, you fail and must pick another rock again." She exined to her lover, while he caught thepact rock with ease. The moment he thought of holding it, the rock broken into pieces.


    "It seems that your sensitivity is far worser than I had previously thought." Lace remarked and threw another rock at him. Abraham caught it like before and held it as softly as possible. He needed to treat it as the most fragile thing in the world. Otherwise, it might break in his hand.


    Unlike beforehand, the rock didn''t break, which was already a piece of good news for the fleet admiral. But the dragoness''s following words broke whatever hope in his heart as she demanded the next phase of his training. "Now that you could hold it with ease, punch the ground below you."


    He could only follow her words since she didn''t seem to be in the mood of listening hisins. Abraham took a deep breath and punched the ground with as much as minimal force he could exert. Unfortunately, his fist didn''t even hit the earth yet and the rock already broke apart.


    "It seems that it broke apart before even hitting anything yet. Let''s return to the first phase." After hearing her words, it felt as though he had just disappointed his mother. He immediately shook his head, not wanting to keep his thoughts entertain.


    Abraham caught the stone thrown by Lace with ease. Instead if immediately punching the ground with the stone inside his fist, he decided to patiently take his time and y around with the stone. After all, there was no need for him to be impatient.


    Seeing her lover taking his time, the edges of Lace''s lips rose. His patience was amongst the many qualities that made her fall in love to him. He was never the type to be impatient and would rather do things in his own term.


    He kept ying with the rock, juggling it between his hands while assuring it never broke a single piece of itself. He was beginning to derive how much force the rock needed to survive under the grasped of his fingers.


    After ying with it for hours, never breaking it for even a single moment during the entire duration. Abraham smiled as his determined heart had realized the extent and potential of his strength as a Superhuman. Instead of fearing his power, he became excited instead.


    Without any further hesitation and dy, he ced the rock inside his fist and swiftly punched the ground below him. *BAM!!!* The earth cracked and thend slightly rumbled. Dusts were shoved upward, yet Lace remained unbothered. Her attention was pointed at his fist, which slowly opened.


    Inside was the rock, unharmed by the extraordinary force of his punch. It remained unbroken, like his will shielded from the doubts that dared to consume his heart.

 Chapter 186: | 186 | Total Invasion

    Somewhere nearby the southern shores of the ind of Terra, a group of fishermen sailed along the austral reefs in search for a school of fish they could capture through their expandeds. It has been a long morning for them. After all, security has been tight in their home ind.


    "The military is tense, old man. I feel that war ising soon to our coast." One of the fishermen remarked while adjusting thes scattered throughout the waters below them. His words prompted the furrowed eyebrows of his colleagues.


    They weren''t ignorant of the circumstance encroaching over their home ind. The Colonial Dominion of Terra was nearing its total copse, especially when most of its colonies had already been conquered by the unknown force who call themselves the United Navy.


    Preventing its copse was their home ind, Terra. However, even most of the wealthy families associated to the Colonial Dominion had evacuated far from the ind. None of them wanted to be caught in the crossfire of two forces who wouldn''t care about them.


    Sadly, though...


    None of the lowest-ss citizens along with some ves had the option of leaving the ind unscathed. Because of their already saddening condition, they were barely surviving from fishing and hunting around the ind. Their families practically had no wealth to escape from doom.


    "It''s not like there''s anything we can do about it. Trying to do something now is like preventing the sun from rising through the horizon in the east. It simply is, as it should be." The old fishman responded, uncaring about the anxiousness his colleagues faced.


    He understood why they feared the war between the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion. It would be a bloodbath and they would be at the center of it. There was no assurance that they would see the light of tomorrow once the final battle begins. Their death seems inevitable.


    The reason why he didn''t care much about it was simple. He was already too old and have seen a lot of things in his lengthy lifetime. Naturally, he knew why the young ones would feel anxious. It was still too early for them to even meet the certainty death.


    These kinds of things should be something specific to old people like him.


    "The only thing we can do is continue living and surviving. For that is our fate as the lowest-ss citizens of Terra." He continued, but sighed at his words. Such dooming words would have made those that hear it even more depressed.


    "There''s no need to say such depressing words, old man." A soft and delicate voice escaped the damning silence brought about by the old fishman. Most of the fishermen nced at where the voice came from and saw a youngdy with them. She was also working hard in managing the.


    "Jett, you have just been released by your owners. You should keep resting and regain your health." One of the fishermen uttered with a worried tone. The youngdy before them was Jett, a former and rare human ve. She had no mana-organ inside her body, making her a mana-less human.


    The fate of humans without mana are worse than the beastfolk ves humanity sought to enved. They didn''t have the strength and vitality of a beastfolk, making them akin to a luxurious and worthless product only bought to disy wealth.


    Jett had been released by her owners who ran away with their tail tuck between their legs. The reason for her release was that one of their chests couldn''t be brought if she had stayed with them. So, they didn''t hesitate to abandoned her, though it also gave her freedom.


    "As I said before, I don''t want to make it even more difficult for all of you. I know my body very well, so I''m confident of picking up my ck." She softly smiled at the fishermen and kept managing thes below her. The group of fishermen could only nce at one another, unable to respond.


    ''I don''t want to be useless. Especially not to my saviors.'' If they hadn''t save her, she would have died of hunger and be a lifeless corpses littered amidst the streets of Terra. She appreciated their good heart, but also didn''t desire to be useless.


    Such words were something she would hear everyday from her owners. As a mana-less human, she was worthless inparison to beastfolk ves. She wasn''t as strong as them, so she couldn''t handlebor. She remained as the lowliest of servant in the house of her masters.


    It was fortunate that they decided to leave her behind when they ran away. Even if she had died to be part of the corpses that would fill up the bloodbath midst the war, she experienced what it was to be treated good and equal by others like her.


    Silence dominated the air, until one of the fishermen stated a rumor about their uing adversary. His words were pointed at the youngdy with them, expecting to lift up the mood. "Jett, I heard that the United Navy are a group of mana-less human like you."


    "Their technology is greater than that of the dwarves, making them rival the power of magicraft under the authority of the Magus Tower." Hearing the words of the fisherman, her ears perked up as she hadn''t heard much about the adversaries the Colonial Dominion would face.


    It was the first for her to hear that they were like her. Humans without a tinge of mana in their bodies.


    "I guess that''s good for them." Jett lightly responded to the fisherman with a slight smile on her face. He became confused and wondered why she wasn''t happy. "Don''t you feel good about them being able to rival the Magus Tower in terms of power and influence?"


    She should have been delightful that people like her had finally made a difference in this saddening world of theirs.


    Her eyebrows rose after hearing him, though she soon realized what he was trying to do. She couldn''t help but lightly chuckle and softly responded to the fisherman. "I wish them luck in their endeavors. But their achievements aren''t mine, even if I am a mana-less human like them."


    "I am but a ve while they are liberators." Despite her disheartening words, a smile appeared to be stuck in her face. What she had said was the mere truth. There was no need to be dispirited by it. After all, from now on, there was only one thing she could do. She must move forward.


    "I see... I understand your perspective, young Jett. Quite grounded and rational, I guess it''s why your will is greater than ours. Even in the front of certain doom, you smile at face of it." The edges of the old fisherman''s lips rose. He was liking the youngdy even more.


    "Your hope and despair is something you yourself can control. As long as you fight for your hope to not get snuff out, then you wouldn''t lose i-" Before Jett could continue with her words, they noticed several wyvern riders flying above them.


    Their lightening atmosphere became more apprehensive than ever before. The appearance of the wyvern riders didn''t do them good. Especially under the current state of the colonial military anticipating for the inevitable.


    A wyvern rider soon hovered right beside them. The wings of his wyvern pping beyond the southern waters of Terra, maintaining its distance from the sea below it. He observed the fishermen with scrutiny and surveyed their fishing boat.


    "The Colonial Dominion has ordered for its citizens to not leave its shores. Why are you peasants sailing across the southern shoals?" The wyvern rider questioned the fishermen, who trembled from his scrutinizing gaze.


    "Our apologies, Great Sir. Please spare us. We haven''t heard the decree of the Colonial Dominion as our homes are situated far from the city." The old fisherman kneeled and begged for mercy.


    A cold gazed maintained the wyvern rider''s eyes. There have been rumors about spies amongst them. The military has been tense while purges have been urring all throughout. These fishermen might be spies trying to leave the ind before the attack.


    However, before he could continue with his dangerous thoughts, the runicmunicator strapped into his belt cackled into life.


    *Hostiles Detected South! Must Intercep-*


    When the wyvern rider heard the iplete words that escaped his runicmunicator. He didn''t hesitate to soar upwards, nning to intercept their iing adversaries. "How could this be?" He muttered to himself, observing the horizon to perceived the supposed hostiles.


    Nevertheless, like those before him, he was met with the same fate of those that dared to dominate the skies before the United Navy. He inexplicably exploded in the air, bing pieces of charred flesh.


    *BOOM!*


    A shockwave resounded after a short moment moment of brilliance. The fishermen cried out in fright as bits of scorched meat from the wyvern fell from the heavens, dropping onto the waters near them. There was no doubt. The war they had been awaiting had finally begun.


    The old fisherman maintained his calm and looked into the distance with squinted yet observing eyes. The waters around them became silent as though a predator had lurked nearby. It didn''t take long before giant silhouettes manifested in the horizon, signifying the arrival of their feared adversaries.


    Metallic warships akin to iron monsters of war pierced through the waves that separated the coast of the ind and the northern seas beyond it. There were dozens of them, sailing across the waters with emanating tenacity.


    It didn''t even end with mere monstrous warships. Above their fleet of steel were flying iron birds soaring through the heavens, unimpeded by the dominance of the Colonial Dominion.


    ''Such a magnificent sight...'' The old one thought, understanding that it was but one thing.


    A Total Invasion.

 Chapter 187: | 187 | Coastal Landing

    "What the-" One of the fisherm couldn''t believe his eyes. The long-awaited battle for dominance had finally begun. And unfortunately, there were at the middle of it. Doom consumed their hearts, not one of them could utter a single word as despair seeped into their mind.


    "We need to go back! Otherwise, we will be pummeled deep into the sea by their fleet." A fisherman cried out, not wanting to stand there and simply die. Upon hearing his words, many of them got out of their trance. None of them wanted to die, so they instinctively followed his words.


    But before they could ev make a move, the old fisherm red at them. His gaze was cold, unimpeded by death that was knocking on their front door. He gave them an important warning. Words that would bring upon their survival from untimely deaths.


    "While the ind would sooner orter be a battlefield, acting in haste would kill you faster than the Terra bes one." It was a warning that resounded in their hearts. The fisherm, who trusted the old man with their lives, decided to cease their activities.


    "Calm yourselves and see them for who they are. We are but innocts dragged into this unruly war. That much they would clearly see. Otherwise, ev if we ran away, we would still be amongst the bodies that would shape the battlefield." The old fisherman continued, his gaze onward.


    The panicking fisherm finally regained their calm. They nced at the iing fleet of steel and epted whatever conclusion that fate throws at them. On the other hand, Jett stared at the fleet with no hint of fear in her heart.


    The old fisherman noticed her fearless gaze and felt confused. Ev the bravest would feel a tinge of horror upon seeing such a sce. She appeared to be determined and clearer than ever before. It made him curious about what thoughtsid in her mind.


    "Do you not feel afraid, young Jett?" The old man softly asked the youngdy before him. He wanted to hear her answer, her thoughts about the dooming situation they found themselves in. "I do feel fear, but more than that, I feel hope." She responded with a smile.


    "The United Navy... They consider themselves as liberators. Most that considered themselves as such are either hypocrites or idealistic fools. But I have a feeling that they would be neither."


    "No, there''s no doubt that they are neither." Jett didn''t know where this confidce wasing from. It felt as though a part of her mind has be unlocked. Was there a reason for this? Maybe something connected to her past.


    She remembered awaking as a human ve in the house of her masters. Her idtity has be deeply graved into her mind as though always reminding her of who she was. But there were times where her memories wouldn''t corrte with one another.


    Times where some parts of her experices throughout her life had be cked out.


    "I see. Perhaps, there might be hope in this dooming circumstance of ours." The old fisherman muttered under his breath, turning his gaze towards the metallic warships that were getting closer to them. None of the fisherm bothered to make an escape or ev resist the iing vessels.


    They simply stood still and watched as the United Navy became nearer.


    Several LCACs carrying armored vehicles along withpanies worth of soldier sailed past the group of fisherm. Following them from behind were Landing Crafts loaded with tanks, ammunitions, and supplies. Finally, zodiacs with squads of soldiers came along piercing through the waves.


    The northern waters of the southern coast became rougher by the momt. The fisherm were forced to hold tightly into their fishing boats as it heavily swayed from left to right. Some of them ev lost their bnce, falling to the deck of their fishing boats.


    Above thending force were Ospreys flying in unison along with Chinooks seeding behind. Inside these aircrafts were toons andpanies of the United Army partaking in the coastalnding of Terra''s south.


    The fisherm could only watch as thending force sailed through them as though they were invisible from their eyes. Many of them sighed in relief as they thought that their lives would be lost in the southern shoals. However, their relief wasn''t longsting.


    A horn blew outward echoing throughout the surings. The group of fisherm became tse as they nced at the direction of the sound. It was th they saw a frigate heading towards their direction. Fear quickly croached into their hearts.


    It made them wonder if it was destiny teasing them with hope and wrathfully giving them despair afterward. What a sadist. Such were their thoughts. As the metallic warship got closer, the fisherm braced themselves for their deaths.


    However, it seems that their expectations had fortunately failed them once again. The frigate halted right beside the fishing boats as its personnel threw boardingdders towards them. They wer''t immediately killed, but they kept their expectations low, not wanting to despair much more longer.


    As the Marines sured the fisherm, themanding officer of the frigate soon boarded the fishing boat. He stood tall with a cold and scrutinizing gaze, observing the tiny vessel of the fisherm. After surveying his surings, his eyes locked onto Jett.


    The fisherm immediately noticed the captain''s behavior and quickly stood in front of Jett without a tinge of hesitation or dy. Despite their wildly beating hearts, they simply couldn''t let the man in front of them touch the youngdy.


    "We won''t let you touch her. Ev if we die by the hands of your soldiers, we die by our own terms." The old fisherman uttered to the captain with calm. In his eyes, it was better to die satisfied, than die like a dog.


    The captain was surprised by the behavior of the fisherm. The Marines swiftly reacted and were about to point their rifles towards the group of m. But before they could do so, the captain raised his arm and halted them from continuing ev further.


    He looked towards the old man and finally oped his mouth. "I am Captain Vokshod of UNS Zarya, a Commanding Officer of the United Navy."


    "Usually, we would have captured you for further interrogation. But since you have delivered a vital personnel of ours. We will consider you an ally to our cause." Wh they heard the words of Vokshod, they became ev more confused, wondering what the hell was happing.


    ...


    Meanwhile...


    In the southern coastal defse line of the ind of Terra, the colonial guards became restless after the bells of war resounded throughout the defsive fortification. Their adversary had begun a Total Invasion towards their south, attempting a Coastal Landing.


    "Load our coastal cannons! Line up our archers! Maintain our supply lines!" The orders of several colonialmander across the lgthy defsive line echoed. The situation in the coastal defse line was bing hectic, but it was ev wors wh the fleet of steel had finally emerged near their coast.


    "Complete our preparations fast! And contact the capital for reinforcemts! If we fall, our emies will be besieging thest stronghold of the Colonial Dominion of Terra!" A colonialmander cried out, urging his m to be faster.


    The UNS Trinity of Sce, which in the eyes of the colonial guards, was a steel leviathan, soon oped its broadside to them. Some of the colonial guards froze in fear, their hearts palpitating from despair. However, others managed toplete their orders.


    "Our coastal cannons are ready, Sir!" Such words brought hope to the despairing colonial guards. The colonialmander felt the heavs aiding them in their deavors in resisting the invasion of the heretical organization, the United Navy.


    "Good, fire a salvo! Destroy their tainted ships!" Without any hesitation or dy, the colonialmander ordered the bombardmt of the invading warships in the southern coast. The colonial guards operating the coastal cannons immediately aimed towards the monstrous warship unveiling its broadside.


    But before they could fire a single cannonball, a thunderous roar resounded from the northern waters of the southern coast.


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    They were a momt toote. The UNS Trinity of Sce began to op fire at the southern coastal defse line. The colonial guards watched as the shells of the modernized battleship pierced through the air. However, such shells soon exploded mid-air, revealing the runic shields scattered throughout the southern coast.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Large explosions shrouded the heavs above the southern coastal defsive line. The shockwaves brought about by the explosions devastated the eardrums of those near it, deafing them for a long while.


    The colonialmander sighed in relief, but noticed some cracks in their shielding. The runic shields constructed by the Magus Tower in the southern coast wer''t the best of qualities. Most resources were spt buffering the capital city and the Magus Tower''s defsive infrastructures.


    "Counter fire!" He yelled out, prompting the operations of the coastal cannons to begin counter bombardmt towards their adversaries near the coast.


    *BANG!* *BANG!**BANG!**BANG!**BANG!* *BANG!*


    Several coastal cannons fired onward. Their cannon balls supported by runes pierced through the air and swiftly impacted the northern waters of the south. They smashed into the southern shoals, sshing seawater near by.


    The United Navy were fortunate that  of their coastal cannons had no supporting devices that assists uracy. Otherwise, casualties might start to appear before their coastalnding.


    "Load it fast! Don''t hesitate to fire!" Many of the colonialmanders were roaring their orders despite the silce of their m. It was a sign of what they felt, the despair that desired to consume their heart.

 Chapter 188: | 188 | Final Battle Part 1

    Abraham stood on the bow of the UNS Trinity of Sce, watching the southern coast of Terra with interest. The breeze of the northern sea ruffled his jet-ck hair and fluttered his fleet admiral''s coat. Amidst the coastalnding of his navy, he remained undaunted by the sparks of war.


    The UNS Trinity of Sce kept firing its naval guns, intending to bombard the southern coastal defense lines of the Colonial Dominion. Yet, because of the runic shields installed by the Magus Tower, it remained impeded with its shells explosion above the defensive lines.


    But it was a matter of time until the runic shields of the southern coastal defense lines crumble under the firepower of his capital battleship. Though, he soon furrowed his eyebrows upon realizing an unusual state of the southern front.


    It was the simple fact that no Magus stood along the colonial guards fighting for the existence of the southern coastal defense lines.


    ''Did they run away?'' He thought, but immediately shook his head in dismissal. While the Magus were foolish, they were arrogant bastards who wouldn''t stop fighting unless they could see death creeping into their door steps.


    With that in mind, the disappearance of the Magus could only mean one thing. A scheme was brewing in the background and the southern coastal defense lines was but a bait to attract the United Navy''s attention.


    The schemes of the Magus Tower didn''t bother the fleet admiral as they had their own counter-strategies against whatever abominable n they had created. It was all thanks to their spy, who had been working hard behind enemy lines.


    ''Now that I think about it, she should be returning back with Vokshod picking her up.'' Abraham thought about the greatest spy in the intelligence bureau of the United Navy. The best actress who could even trick themselves into believing a false identity.


    He wanted to personally congratte her as it was because of her hard work that the United Navy manage to win against the Colonial Dominion of Terra in information warfare. Otherwise, they would have been as blind as the Colonial Dominion before them.


    At any rate, thending forces finally made theirnding onto the southern coast of Terra. LCACs along with Landing Crafts opened their ramps, unveiling severalpanies and armored vehicles entering the battlefront.


    Thending forces swiftly established a secure zone along the shores to which the United Army would continuously advance with the support of the United Navy nearby the southern coast.


    ''Before aerial transports could make theirnding in the secure zone of thending forces. We would have to take out the nearby defense lines to make it easier for them to settle.'' Abraham thought while the edges of his lips slowly rose.


    Themanding officers have already thought of a solution to this problem. It was the deployment of Close Air Support (CAS) into the immediate area through the mobilization of Warthogs and Angels of Death.


    Above Abraham, a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II soared through the heavens and steadily cruised towards the southern coastal defense lines above the secure zone of thending forces.


    The Warthogs were usuallypared to flying tanks, especially with the 30mm GAU-8 below their nose. They were know to shred through armored vehicles, so it wouldn''t be a problem for them to cause some disturbance in the defense lines of their adversaries.


    *BRRRRRRRTTTTTTT!!!*


    *BBBRRRRRTTTTT!!!*


    One after another, the squadron of A-10s began firing their gatling gun onto the coastal defense lines. Thousands of big and long leads prated through the air and impacted the ground along with everything near it.


    It didn''t take long before the southern coastal defense lines above the secure zone became riddled with holes brought about by the Warthogs'' gatling guns. Sadly, however... Those that survived were about to meet a worser fate.


    After the Warthogs unleashed a storm of lead to the defensive lines, they began dropping incendiary bombs to confirm theplete destruction of their targeted coastal defense lines. Colonial guards of nearby lines could only watch as fire bombs fell into their pitifulrades.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    An explosion resounded as mes threatened to consume all nearby defense lines. Luckily for them, the precise targeting system of the Warthogs were incredibly effective. Though, the statement might be somewhat doubtful.


    Abraham watched the fireworks without ever squinting his eyes. He had already understood the nature of war. The more of his enemies died, the less of his subordinates get killed. It was simple logic, and he was willing to ept whatever sins follow to make sure of that.


    ''With the southern coastal defense lines above the secure zone gone, it should be the best moment for the aerial transports to begin theirnding and deployment of transported personnel.'' He quietly thought, gazing at the secure zone with scrutiny.


    Nearby Ospreys and Chinooks soon made theirnding on the secure zone of thending force. As their ramps open, morepanies of the United Army joined the battlefront in the shores of southern Terra.


    While observing thending forces, Abraham remembered the armies of the allied inds who joined along the final operation of the United Navy against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Because of the intricacies of the coastalnding, he decided to save them forst.


    ''Hmm... Since the secure zone has been established, all of them should be making theirnding towards it.'' He looked around and saw severalnding crafts heading towards the secure zone. These must be the second wave ofnding forces he was awaiting for.


    The second wave ofnding forces consists of the Minokin Warriors, the Liberation Front, and the Special Response Unit. They were extremely numerical with quantities almost rivalling the United Army.


    As Abraham watched them with his peering eyes, he noticed his lover awaiting for them in the shores of the south. She lightly tap, maintaining her patience with a scary smile. Then, out of nowhere, Lace noticed his gaze and smiled even further at him.


    He quickly looked away as if not wanting the abyss to gaze at him.


    Nheless, he turned his attention to the heavens above. After all, their Close Air Support hadn''t concluded yet. There were the Angels of Death soaring across the skies, about to give the remaining southern coastal defense lines a devastating attack.


    The Angels of Death were AC-130J with a fearsome array of weaponry such as their 25mm Gatling-gun, a single-barrel, rapid-fire 40mm Bofors cannon, and a 105mm Howitzer. These arsenal made them a wonder weapon of war.


    Two AC-130s soon emerged from the clusters of clouds that enveloped the skies above the southern battlefront. They parted from their formation and propelled themselves through the air, intending to reach their prescribe targets.


    As an Angel of Death reached its target, it slightly leaned sideward and circled the southern battlefront. The other did the same, making them akin to executioners awaiting for the instruction of death. And it didn''t take long for them to receive their orders.


    Without any hesitation or dy, the AC-130s fired every arsenal attached to their airframe. The 25mm Gatling-gun, 40mm Bofors cannon, and 105mm Howitzer began firing without care. Thunderous roars of gunfire bellowed from the heavens and into the earth.


    *BRRRRRRTTTT!!!*


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!* *BAM!!!*


    The southern coastal defense lines before their array of arsenal crumbled in mere moments. The colonial guards defending the shoreline fortification began retreating en masse, not wanting to be a part of the meatgrinder in the southern battlefront.


    No matter how much the colonialmanders urged them to fight. The firepower of the United Navy was too much for them to handle. Even the most loyal and courageous colonialmanders were already weighing the decision to retreat.


    And it got even worse.


    The naval guns of the UNS Trinity of Sce continued its bombardment into the southern coastal defense lines. The runic shields installed by the Magus Tower were already too cracked with some partspletely broken, enabling shells from the modernized battleship to pierced through.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Explosions echoed throughout the southern battlefront. The morale of the colonial guards have beenpletely broken as their casualties continued to pile up, not even giving them time to register how much they had lost.


    It didn''t take too long for the colonialmanders to buckle.


    "Retreat! Return to the capital of Terra!"


    "Withdraw from the southern battlefront!"


    The orders of the colonialmanders resounded as they have given their men the authority to withdraw from battle. The southern coast had already been lost as the weight of the United Navy''s firepower was too much for them to handle.


    However... For those that stood above them, their lost in the southern battlefront didn''t matter.


    In the mountainous region of the south, a group of Magus observed the ongoing conflict in the southern battlefront. They noted the defeat of the colonial military and their retreat from the defensive lines. Though, they didn''t care much about it as their n had already been set.


    "Well, at the very least, the peasantssted longer than expected." One of the Magus muttered under their breathe, earning the agreeing nods of their colleagues. The Master Magus leading their team soon received the signal of the Arch Magus.


    It was finally time.


    He swiftly exuded his mana, attracting the attention of his subordinates. He coldly gazed at them, shutting their mouths, giving silence to themselves and their surroundings. With their attention pointed at him, he finally ryed the signal of the Arch Magus.


    "It''s time to activate the Grand Runic Spell, Firestorm."

 Chapter 189: | 189 | Final Battle Part 2

    The southern coast of Terra became a ferocious battlefield. Screams of fighting resounded throughout its shores while waves crashed into its beaches. Explosions echoed in the distance while gunfire followed, bringing about a horrifying battlefront.


    Abraham stood in the bow of his capital battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce, watching the ongoing battlefield with a scrutinizing gaze. He was searching for signs of magicraft, and he wasn''t left finding nothing. Deep into shores of southern coast, obelisks brimming with runes gleamed.


    He furrowed his eyebrows, realizing that what the Magus Tower had prepared, was bigger than he had previously anticipated.


    ''If the theories of the R&D Department were slightly correct, the Magus Tower must be using the obelisk to create a muchrger spell circle and a moreplex spell.'' A thought came to mind and continued. ''It might be able to cover the entirety of the battlefront.''


    At this moment, Abraham had fully understood what the Magus Tower were trying to do. To think that they would use the southern coastal defense lines as bait, but it was along the lines of what they would die.


    After all, they were bunch of arrogant bastards who thought of themselves as supreme.


    "But... We also have our own counter spell." The edges of Abraham''s lips rose as he took out a radio from his pocket. His men might not be able to notice it, so he decided to give them an advance warning about what was toe.


    The radio shrieks a mechanical distortion before connecting to the other side. A voice escaped, respectfully asking the reason for connection.


    *This is UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, please respond.*


    His eyebrows softened, though he didn''t forget why he had called for them. "Jaeger, this is Abraham. Magus activities detected near the inner borders of the southern coast, activate SOMPA (Strategic Offensive Magic Protection Array)."


    The Strategic Offensive Magic Protection Array was another magic technology project under the Research & Development Department. The first of the project was the Sole Offensive Protection, which was supposed to be equipped by individual warships.


    However, after further analysis, the efficiency and effective of a fleet array proved to be more beneficial to the United Navy than an individual protection spell. As such, the project was moved forward to be what it was now.


    SOMPA uses the same logic as the iing attacking spell of the Magus Tower. With the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas as the central apparatus, the surrounding warships equipped with the SOMPA Tower would activate the respective array.


    A massive protection spell, which was firm and wide, would cover the entire fleet, securing it from hostile attacks.


    "Affirmative, Sir." Themunication operator from the other side epted the orders of the fleet admiral without a tinge of hesitation and dy. The radio connection was then cut off, returning Abraham''s attention to the southern shores.


    He gazed forward as the Magus Tower''s giant offensive spell materialized before him. It pierced through the heavens, akin to a massive wall that separates the capital of Terra and its southern shores. ''As expected, quite impressive to be honest.''


    The size of the offensive spell meant that it would destroy any fleet with remarkable ease. But this would be the case of a fleet didn''t have any defenses against it. The United Navy wasn''t helpless as exined beforehand.


    Behind him, the warships equipped with SOMPA Towers activated their array spells. Another vast protection spell enveloped the entirety of the fleet, though he had forgotten one simple detail. His eyebrows raised as thending forces hadn''t been equipped of defensive spells of any kinds.


    They would meet the full brunt of the offensive spell above them. It would practically destroy the southern coast, perhaps erasing it from the map. But his worries soon faded. After all, with thending forces was none other than his lover, Lace.


    She was the Dragon of Liberation, capable of much more firepower than the offensive spell above the heavens.


    "Though, it would be quite a sight to see how she would handle this." Abraham mumbled to himself, standing steadily in the bow of the UNS Trinity of Sce.


    The offensive spell of the Magus Tower above the southern coast radiated with an ethereal glow. It was warming up, signifying the activation of the spell. Nevertheless, he looked upward with no fear, confident of the minds behind his United Navy.


    The massive spell circle pulsated and a crimson glow enveloped the heavens in an instant. A storm of fire materialized in thin air, threatening to engulf the entirety of the southern coast and shoal into its fiery mes.


    The SOMPA, akin to a wall, remained frozen, undeterred by the pressure brought about by the firestorm above. Meanwhile, in the southern beaches of the coast, Lace looked up with furrowed eyebrows.


    Although it was within her expectations for the Magus Tower to cook the entirety of the southern coast to defeat the United Navy. It was astounding for them to use their guards as bait to keep them attended. But thinking about it carefully, it was within the realms of what they would do.


    "At any rate, I have soldiers beside me. I don''t want them skewered into roasted meat." She muttered under her breath, swiftly activating a defensive spell that covered the southern beaches. It was like an unbreakable and immovable shield.


    The firestorm quickly descended from the heavens,busting the air surrounding it. The skies became an inferno, making it appear as though the end of times had arrived. But below it stood two shields, one above the water, one above thend.


    As the offensive power of the Magus Tower and the defensive endurance of the United Navy made contact, a radiant light gleamed like the sun rising from the boundless of the horizon. It blinded everything, from the skies above to the ground below.


    Even Abraham with his Superhuman capabilities was forced to slightly squint his eyes.


    The soldiers of the United Navy, and the colonial guards of the Colonial Dominion of Terra closed their eyes in instinct afraid to be blinded by the light. But even then, it was somehow piercing through the closed eyelids.


    Fortunately for them, they quickly covered their eyes with their arms avoiding looking at the blinding radiance before them.


    It took quite a while for the brilliance that emanated all through to dim and fade. The soldiers and colonial guards stopped covering their eyes, the once ferocious battle had long concluded.


    The magical defensive capabilities of the United Navy weren''t to be underestimated. It stood well against the fairly-huge firepower of the Magus Tower. If it had been them before, and without the dragoness by their side, their ships would have melted under the heat st and sunk into the cold waters of the northern sea.


    Abraham smiled at the silence that came after the unfolding firestorm, which they had quickly defended against. It was the sign of a battle''s conclusion, stopping them from wasting anymore resources in plowing through the southern coastal lines.


    "It seems that their npletely backfired against them. It would have work before, but the United Navy has grown leap and bounds since ourst meeting." He smirked as the capital of Terra would be their next target.


    Meanwhile, the colonial guards after getting through the aftershock of the spell,id down their weapons and raised their arms upward. They kneeled onto the ground, presenting themselves as unarmed surrendering individuals.


    Some even waved makeshift white gs as a sign of surrender.


    Thending forces, consisting of the United Army, the Liberation Front, and the Minos Guards quickly epted their surrender, in terms of thews of war.


    "That ended much faster than I expected." Hermona swiped a sweat from her forehead as the ferocious battle before had unexpectedly ended with the quick surrender of their adversaries.


    "Well, it''s fairly clear that their supposed-allies had turned them into sacrificialmbs. With their defeat clear, they''d rather lived to see tomorrow than be one of the pile of corpses that wouldy after the battle." Leonidas exined to the young leader of the Liberation Front.


    "But their tenacity is strong, regardless. It would have been a bloody battle if not for the spell they had conjured to wipe us all out. It was quite a spectacle." Tora remarked while sheathing his de after cleaning it from blood.


    "Lady Lace is really so amazing." Hermona uttered with a soft smile, imagining the honored dragoness standing in front of her with silver hair swaying alongside the breeze of wind.


    "She''s strong, smart, and brave. I want to be someone like her." It was natural for her to idolize the problem dragon. In the eyes of others who weren''t close to Lace, she was practically a celebrity, the pinnacle of fame.


    Leonidas and Tora merely nced at their leader, hoping that it wouldn''te true. Their instincts as beastfolk were practically screaming at them when they met the dragoness for the first time. They would have a heart attack if their leader actually bes like her.


    AC-130s, who had just recently escaped the area of effect brought about by the offensive spell of the Magus Tower, now returned to the battlefront. The barrels of its guns pointed at the fiercendscape, waiting to be fired when ordered.


    Obviously, with the surrender of the defenders in the southern coastal defense lines, it remained passive and was soon called back for resupply.


    "It''s time to begin the phase two of Liberation." Since the ground forces had made their coastalnding with quick sess, thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus, would begin its naval battle against the iing fleet of Terra.


    Abraham turned his gaze at the western side of the ind and saw silhouettes of massive medieval battleships heading towards their location.

 Chapter 190: | 190 | Final Battle Part 3

    The UNS Trinity of Sce plowed through the rough waves of the northern seas. It sailed onward with a ferocious determination,pletely resolved in the battle up ahead. Behind the modernized battleship was thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus, also partaking in the uing naval sh.


    Abraham calmly stood on the bow of the capital battleship, maintaining his uncaring attitude while the surging wind crashed onto his body. Yet, he remained immovable, his gaze only directed at the iing fleet of Terra.


    He observed them with scrutiny, scanning each and every naval battleship under theirmand with his enhanced sight. The fleet of Terra numbered around 113 Battleships. The massive silhouettes of their warships practically littered throughout the horizon.


    ''This will be tough battle.'' The naval power of the Colonial Dominion wasn''t to be underestimated. After all, it was amongst the reasons why they were able to maintain their authority throughout the inds of the sea region.


    They would have heavily invested resources into their navy, bringing about the current naval strength of Terra. Not only that, along with over a hundred battleships would also be over a hundred War Masters.


    At the moment, the United Navy were at a disadvantage against the fleet of Terra. But fighting in a disadvantaged situation were what they had been training for.


    The edges of his lips rose as he took out the radio from his pocket. As he turned it on, a distorted screech left its metallic confines, though what followed was a voice from the other side.


    *What are your further orders, Fleet Admiral?* It was none other than Charlotte, who calmly inquired. She stood coldly in the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, staring at the vast fleet of their adversaries.


    Hearing the questioning words of the Vice Admiral, Abraham smirked and responded. "We keep sailing forward, Charlotte. We must face them and fight. Our victory has already been determined by destiny. Prepare for battle."


    When the words of the fleet admiral resounded in the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Charlotte couldn''t help but grin as his words were what she had been waiting for quite a while now. A massive battle before them, and it gave her excitement.


    *Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. Your orders will be ryed to the fleet.* She soon followed the fleet admiral''s response, leaving him with a smile. Themunication line between the two was then cut, and Abraham was met with the echoes of the rushing wind before him.


    Charlotte nced at the intelligence officers and ryed the orders of the fleet admiral at them. "Prepare for battle," Hearing what had escaped her supple lips, the intelligence officers moved fast and quickly scattered the orders throughout the Spear of Longinus.


    She returned her attention to the vast armada of the Colonial Dominion of Terra, understanding that it would be a battle with sacrifice. Nevertheless, it was a fight that they couldn''t turn their backs on. For they were the United Navy. Against enemy fleets, they could only move forward.


    rms soon resounded throughout the interiors of several warships in the fleet. The spearhead formation propelling through the cold northern waters became sharper as various frigates coordinated to weapon-guiding system to the vast fleet before them.


    The UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas had been given the go to scramble their F-35B Lightnings onto the air. One after another, F-35s lifted off from the flight deck through the guidance of various air crews. Attack helicopters also left the deck of the Lightning Carrier, intending to face the nearby adversary fleet.


    It was quite a scene as the fleet prepared for battle. Abraham could hear the hectic noises escaping from his warships, signifying that they were almostpletely prepared from top to bottom.


    "This will be thergest naval battle that the United Navy has ever fought in. I hope that we wouldn''t lose too much." He muttered while closing his eyelids. Though, they quickly opened as the naval gun behind him rotated and pointed towards the nearest enemy battleship.


    Without hesitation or dy, three 16-inch naval guns sted its shell into the enemy battleship. *BANG!!!* The explosion that escaped its barrel resounded, but it didn''t affect Abraham too much as his eardrums were much more harder to damage than ever before.


    The prating shells of the naval guns pierced through the air and quickly made their impact onto the enemy battleship. The first shell was immediately intercepted by the shield, which caused it to break into pieces in moments. The second and third shell made a direct hit.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The enemy battleship exploded into thousands of pieces as arge chunk of what remained sunk into the cold waters of the northern seas. Its crew weren''t given the chance to even jump overboard as the shockwave of the explosion might have crushed their insides into paste.


    Abraham squinted his eyes and soon realized why the UNS Trinity of Sce remained in the water despite being the main fighting force in the battle of the northern seas under themand of Vice Admiral Charlotte. It was too strong, stupidly strong.


    "Damn, quite a fireworks you have shown me." He smiled at his capital warship as it had held the crown of being the United Navy''s strongest ship since its summoning. In a world with shielding, it was practically a direct counter through its disyed firepower.


    The mes of fiery crimson glowed in the corpse of what remained floating of the former devastated battleship. Abraham merely looked at it for a short while before turning his attention to the vast fleet behind it.


    The fleet of Terra seemed unbothered by the destruction of one of its battleship. After all, over a hundred of them remained even with the immediately devastation of their warships. While the UNS Trinity of Sce had firepower capable of prating through shields, it doesn''t have the capacity to fight against a hundred battleships at the same time.


    But... The capital battleship of the United Navy wasn''t alone. Behind it was the vast armada of the naval organization, also partaking in the battle that was about to cover the entirety of the western shores of Terra.


    The Admiral Gorshkov-ss Frigates soon opened their VLS capsules, unleashing a torrent of Kalibr anti-cruise missiles towards over three dozens of battleships in the naval theatre. Numerous trails of smoke soon covered the heavens as they pierced through the skies heading onward to their destination.


    Abraham watched as the anti-cruise missiles made their impact onto their respective targets. One after another, radiance blinked and out as the shields of the battleships struggled to maintain their shielding against the torrent of missiles.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    What followed was several thunderous explosions resounded throughout the cold waters of the northern seas. Some battleships remained steady, resisting the assault brought about the frigates. However, many were sessfully prated, having a part of their battleship sted.


    The crew aboard the damaged battleships were barely handling the sts of the anti-cruise missiles. They ran all throughout, their bells ringing, along with their cries and shouts.


    Bodiesid throughout their decks. Some corpses didn''t have limbs, some only had limbs. It was quite a horrific sight, though the crew could do nothing but leave them behind as their ship was burning aze. They needed to take care of the fiery mes first.


    However, the fleet of Terra quickly counteracted and changed their formation into a single-line one. Their broadside was now pointed at the Spear of Longinus, like the line volley strategy of an old era.


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows, though the UNS Trinity of Sce quickly changed its position, also pointing its broadside to the line of battleships merely a kilometer away from it. All of the nine 16-inch naval guns now found its barrels pointed towards its adversaries.


    Theplete firepower of the UNS Trinity of Sce was about to be in full disy.


    *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!*


    *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!* *BANG!!!*


    *BANG!!!*


    All nine fired in session, tilting the modernized battleship a little bit along the way. The UNS Trinity of Sce slightly trembled, but it maintained its form, undaunting in the face of supreme firepower.


    Several prating shells pierced through the heavens and quickly made their impact onto the line of battleships. In mere moments, three battleships exploded into pieces like its first predecessor that had been sunk by the capital battleship of the United Navy.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    However, the fleet of Terra remained unimpeded by the destruction of its nearby battleships and began its counter attack. Itsrge broadside cannons quickly fired, ushering in a thunderous roar echoing all throughout the naval theatre.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Giant cannonballs were propelled forward at elerated speed with the assistance of gunpowder and magic. One single cannonball was five meters in diameter, which was more than enough to cause critical damage on a UN Warship if directly hit.


    These cannonballs, however, didn''t have the precision of a missile. Most of them missed and sshed the waters near the frigates behind the UNS Trinity of Sce. One however made contact with a single frigate, bringing about an explosion in its stern.


    *BOOM!*


    "This is bad." Abraham furrowed his eyebrows and noticed a cannonball directly headed towards the UNS Trinity of Sce. No hesitation dwelled in his mind as he leaped towards the giant cannonball and punched it, breaking iron ball into multiple pieces, saving the capital battleship from damages.


    Though... Now that he had made his leap from the bow of the UNS Trinity of Sce. His destination was onward, towards the line of battleships under the fleet of Terra.


    He would be fighting alone within the line of battleships, though for some reason, a grin couldn''t help but appear in his face. He was excited to be fighting, especially now that he had Superhuman in his grasp.

 Chapter 191: | 191 | Final Battle Part 4

    Propelling through the air, Abraham soon made hisnding onto a nearby enemy battleship sailing in the rear line of their battle formation. It wasn''t afortable and adeptnding, however, as he crashed onto the mast of their warship, toppling it down to the decks.


    The shouts and cries of the crew resounded as they had thought one of the shells had hit their mass. They scattered around trying to regain discipline, but with the mast plunging onto the bow of the battleship. Calm was far from what they would feel.


    "Repair the ship and make sure that our hull remainsbat-effective." An order echoed throughout the wooden deck of the battleship. It came from none other than themanding officer, the captain of the warship.


    When the crew heard his orders, their discipline returned as they quickly began checking for further damages from the attack. The giant cannons of the battleship kept firing, uncaring of theplicated situation of the above deck.


    It was understandable, after all, they had to exchange fire against the fleet of steel before them.


    "War Master, our main-mode of transport has beenpromised. I will be giving you the difficulty of managing the navigation of our warship." The captain ordered the War Master beside him, who merely nodded in understanding and swiftly cast a force spell through the runes scattered throughout the battleship. experience-MVLeMpYr


    The warship began moving despite having a broken mast. It maintained its position in the rear-line battle formation of the fleet of Terra, not giving the United Navy the ability to destroy what got left behind.


    "As expected of the War Master, without your capabilities, our navy wouldn''t be as effect as it could be." The captain remarked, noticing the battleship move without the assistance of their mast. The War Master humbly nodded, epting the praise of the captain with calm.


    "But, to think that the Steel Fleet of the United Navy would be so powerful. I now understand why those vassal colonies of the Colonial Dominion fell. Against such a fleet, they wouldn''t have stand a chance." The captain looked at the metallic warships in the distance.


    The weapons, armaments, armor, and precision of the United Navy were much more advance than theirs. Even though they outnumbered their adversaries from one to five, the heretical naval organization was still fighting well.


    As if it was a near-pear opponent of the fleet of Terra.


    "However, the fleet of Terra outnumbers the United Navy in far greater quantities. Even if the first-exchange brought about the destruction of over a dozen battleships, we still have dozens more to throw at them." The captain rationalized and continued. "This is a battle of attrition."


    "A battle, we are bound to win." His confidence wasn''t unfounded as the fleet of Terra was thergest ever fleet deployed by a Colonial Dominion. Combined with the expansionary fleet that hadn''t return to Europa, their numbers bolstered even more.


    Defeat seems to be quite a stretch in the distance, when looking upon the meager numbers of the United Navy.


    But what he never considered was the simple fact that such an obvious disadvantage was something the United Navy had already taken into ount before the invasion of Terra. Their answer to that disadvantage was two words.


    Superior firepower.


    *BOOM!*


    The remaining bottom of the toppled mast somehow exploded. Dozens of debris were flung outward, some even managing to kill a few of the crew. The captain instinctively backed away while the War Master prepared to invoke their spell.


    Dust scattered throughout the deck of the battleship as the crew gazed at it in anticipation. Out of nowhere, a chuckle escaped, echoing throughout the silent deck. Cold words soon followed, the voice of the reaper that was knocking into their front door.


    "Quite a rowdy crew you have here. I didn''t expect for your discipline to be a bitcking. I expected more from the greatest of navies in humanity." The cloud of dust steadily faded, revealing a figure standing amongst them. It was muchrger than a normal human, reaching over 2 meters tall.


    The captain squinted his eyes, but soon realized what the figure was. Without a tinge of hesitation, he yelled out to his crew. "Prepare for a boarding battle! One of them has manage to board our battleship! Take out your weapons and kill him!"


    His words resounded in the deck, giving the crew a realization of who the figure was. They quickly took out their knives, swords, flintlocks, and muskets. All of it pointed towards the figure in front of them. Bells resounded in the background, alerting others of a boarding party.


    The War Master also casted a few support spells, clearly cautious against the boarding party in front of them. The fact that the figure managed to survive crashing into a mast and toppling it down meant that they were far from a normal human.


    One of the nearby crews quickly ran towards the figure, brandishing his sword. He swung his de towards the figure, who dodged it with remarkable ease. The figure didn''t hesitate to punch the attacker, which sted his head apart from his body.


    Blood sttered throughout the deck as the crew surrounding the figure became shocked. The captain was also astounded as he couldn''t even see how his subordinate died. Their head merely exploded in an instant, which brought chills to his spine.


    "I should have held back. A gun really is better than a fist. At the very least, I wouldn''t have to personally bloody my hand." The figure muttered as the entirety of his body soon revealed itself. Everyone on the deck of the battleship saw a handsome middle-aged man that towered over them.


    He wore a long jet-ck coat with the insignia of a fleet admiral patched beside it. The breeze of wind fluttered his dark hair, as he looked at them with a cold smile. "I guess I haven''t introduce myself. Apologies for intruding in your battleship, I am Abraham Shepherd."


    "A-Abraham Shepherd?" The captain uttered as the name was somewhat familiar to him. Thankfully, the War Master gave him a reminder. "Abraham Shepherd, the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy. The Magus Tower told us to watch out for him. His amongst the priority targets, standing side by side with the Dragon of Liberation, Lace."


    With the long exnation of the War Master, the captain finally remembered the identity of the fleet admiral that controlled the heretical naval organization. However, what confused him the most was the strength disyed by the man before him.


    "Shouldn''t he be merely a bit more stronger than a normal man? How could he have such great power?" He muttered in confusion, to which the War Master couldn''t answer. Even the War Master was dumbfounded as to how the fleet admiral had grown so much more stronger than reported details.


    "It doesn''t matter! The highestmander of the United Navy is in front of us. As long as we kill him, the heretical naval organization would copse in on itself." The captain muttered, shaking out his anxiousness and focusing on what was at hand.


    "All crew! Abandon your duties and kill him! He''s the fleet admiral of the damnable organization. Victory wille with his head chopped off from his body!" He ordered his crew with a roar. When the crew of the battleship realized the identity of the man in front of him.


    Bloodlust soon surged into their heart, beginning to consume it. Unlike beforehand, hesitance faded from their hearts as adrenaline scattered throughout their bodies. They cried out their battle cries and charged towards the fleet admiral with all they got.


    Abraham raised his eyebrows as dozens of men armed with weapons sprinted at him with bloodlust. To think that the Colonial Dominion would hate him so much. His existence took out so much hatred from his enemies, making him feel somewhatplicated.


    As they got nearer, they swung and shot whatever they had in-between their fingers. He dodged each and every attack with ease as no matter how much they tried to outnumber him. His senses were too sensitive for them to fool him with mere numbers.


    Abraham didn''t hesitate to counter attack, punching the chests of those near him and caving them in, snapping their necks when they tried to wrestle with him, while also kicking them off the damn boat. It was quite a bloody battle, for them of course.


    F-35Bs flew in the background, releasing missiles from theirpartments, striking the battleships who had their runic shields down. It was quite a sight as the crew of such battleships tried striking the jets with their own anti-air weapon. Sadly, however, their AAs were far from effective.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    Explosions reverberated as shes of light gleamed over them. Abraham kept fighting therge quantities of crewmembers, elerating his k/s, or kill per second by the moment. His arms turned bloody from their blood and his clothes became stained. Washing the blood off would be quite a troublesome activity.


    At any rate, it was fairly clear that outnumbering the fleet admiral of the United Navy wasn''t enough to im victory. No matter how much they tried to surround him. He would quickly find a weakness in their encirclement and exploit it. They were fighting a losing battle.


    The captain gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, watching the entire battle unfold before his eyes. It was obvious that the trying to surround him wasn''t an effective tactic. But, it was the only thing they could do. The monstrous bastard was too much for them to handle.


    "Have you reported it to the fleetmander?" The captain nced at the War Master, who nodded in agreement. "Alright, I guess we simply need to buy time." He took out his sword while the War Master casted various support spells onto him. He gazed at Abraham in the distance and uttered.


    "This must be a battle of attrition."

 Chapter 192: | 192 | Final Battle Part 5

    tBlood sttered throughout the upper deck of a lone rear battleship while several corpsesid across the wooden floor. After taking care of thest remaining crew in the deck of the giant medieval battleship, Abraham turned his attention towards the two individuals standing in front of him.


    He quickly deduced that they were the War Master and captain of the battleship.


    "I was expecting for the two of you to run away. Is my head really worth your lives?" He questioned the two as they could have escape as he took care of the crew that kept bothering him with their des and archaic guns.


    This-is-a-NovelBin-special


    Naturally, these weapons were ineffective since nothing but their blood remained on his clothing. There was no sight of an injury, and he didn''t even look exhausted after fighting over a hundred crew members.


    "Their and our sacrifices are for the greater good. As long as you fall with us, victory will be im by the Colonial Dominion. Your heretical organization will sink into the bottom of the sea." The captain remarked as he brandished his sword, immediately charging towards Abraham.


    With the support magic of the War Master engraved throughout his body. Themanding officer was much faster and stronger than a normal human. Although his power didn''t rival that of the fleet admiral, the spells scattered throughout his body threatened to cross over the gap.


    Abraham squinted his eyes and dodged the sword swung by themanding officer. He noticed the unnatural agility and speed of the captain along with the extraordinary sharpness of his sword. It was at this moment that he remembered the discussion he had with his lover before the invasion.


    Her words resounded in his mind, as though giving him a reminder.


    ...


    "Lace, does magic work against me?" He questioned, wanting to know more about how he stood against the Magus. His lover observed him for a short moment and soon nodded in agreement. "Magic is an effective tool against you, Abraham."


    "While your body has a high resistance over the natural, it has little to no resistance against the unnatural. So, I advice you to be careful around individuals with magical-capabilities. As long as you don''t get hit by them, there''s no way for you to lose." She smirked while pinching his cheeks.


    ...


    ''It looks like I need to be extra cautious.'' Abraham quietly thought as he kept dodging the iing attacks of themanding officer. After noticing an opening, he quickly countered but was quickly impeded by a couple of barrier spells. The barrier spells practically negated the force of his counterattack.


    Quite a troublesome problem.


    "Your puny strength is not enough to defeat magic." The captain roared and continued charging towards the fleet admiral. He swung his de in an elerated speed, creating air des that propelled themselves forward in a sonic boom.


    But nevertheless, Abraham dodged it and immediately started his counter attack. He sprinted towards themanding officer, arriving quickly beside him and threw a couple of punches. It was a consecutive punch.


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    His punch was quick and precise, hitting the same spot a couple of times in a mere moment. Some barrier spells cracked under pressure with a few broken. The captain was thrown backward, which probably saved several of his spells from breaking under Abraham''s punches.


    *BOOM!*


    The captain crashed into his quarters with smoke bellowing out of the hole he had created. The War Master nced at him and felt his instincts screamed. In a second, he conjured over a dozen barrier spells around him and as he gazed forward. He saw Abraham standing in front of him.


    Abraham''s fist had already made contact with his spell, to which many more followed. The fleet admiral didn''t give them the chance to breathe. After all, since they desired a battle of attrition, he''d dly give them what they wanted.


    Who wouldst longer? Them or the fleet admiral?


    *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*


    Like themanding officer, the War Master got thrown back. But he easilynded back into the wooden deck through the assistance of his spells and conjured many more defensive spells.


    Abraham was about to keep attacking, but was interrupted by the captain, which appeared out of nowhere and swung his sword to the fleet admiral''s neck. Unfortunate for him, Abraham dodged and immediately disappeared from the spot.


    He emerged in front of the two and their position remained the same as before.


    "I didn''t expect to meet skillful opponents in my second bout against the Magus Tower. A great fighter and a skilled supporter. The concept of using support and defense means that it would be difficult to defeat the two of you swiftly."


    "Especially when one of you is skillful enough to conjure small barriers en masse instead of arge one. How problematic." Abraham shook his head, though a smile remained on his face.


    Themanding officer was a middle-aged man with the usual face of a battleship captain. On the other hand, the War Master was a cloaked individual, somewhat smaller and harder to perceive. It seems that their cloak has a sense-dispersion spell, making it difficult to see who was underneath it.


    "But... There''s one thing the two of you haven''t notice." The edges of Abraham''s lips rose, bing a smirk. He couldn''t help but wonder if he was bing like the problem dragon, which brought chills in his spine. He''d rather avoid being someone like her.


    One was already enough for the United Navy to handle.


    Themanding officer raised his eyebrows, unable to understand what Abraham meant. However, the War Master immediately realized what the fleet admiral was trying to do. But before she could act, he was already on the move.


    "You are a War Master, which means that your main strength and capabilityes from the very ship itself." Without a tinge of hesitation and dy, Abraham threw a punch downward and immediately broke through several decks of the battleship.


    The giant warship trembled as it copsed in on itself. The two fell onto their feet, barely able bnce themselves in a copsing ship. Themanding officer gritted his teeth in annoyance and red at the fleet admiral, who stood at the very top of what remained in the battleship.


    "There''s no need for us to fight to death. My subordinates will handle that for me." He uttered to the two, who stand on a sinking ship. "And don''t mistake me for a mindless beast who''s out craving for blood. I notice your n of trying to surround me with your fleet."


    He had long noticed what they wanted to do with him as he fought against the crewmembers of the battleship. But he yed along, wanting to see where it would go. Not only that. His presence could also attract the attention of the fleet, lessening the pressure over the United Navy.


    After all, they were out for blood, wanting to behead him and ce his head on a stake to be burned for eternity.


    In the background behind him, several battleships surrounding the sinking warship. They were preparing to fire their cannons, intending to end him along with the copsing warship. However, what they never thought was him being a bait.


    "The firepower of the United Navy doesn''t simplyy in the warship it holds. Don''t underestimate our ground forces. They can dominate an entire ocean by themselves if given a chance." Abraham turned his head towards the heavens and closed his eyes.


    In the nearby inds that surrounded the ind of Terra, several M142 HIMARS resided in the shores with their armament pointed towards the northern seas. They had been deployed by the United Navy before the invasion with the mission to support the Spear of Longinus in their endeavor.


    Now that the Spear of Longinus was in a naval battle against the fleet of Terra. It was time for them to make a move. With the coordinates and the guidance of several frigates in thebined-offensive fleet. It didn''t take long for the himars caps to opened and released its PrSM or Precision Strike Missile.


    In a couple of seconds, dozens of missiles propelled themselves onward and shot onto the heavens. They pierced through the sky and elerated into the naval battle hundreds of kilometers away.


    "It doesn''t matter if you have found out about our n. Your ground forces are busy seizing the ind of Terra. You, on the other hand, are surrounded. Even if we die, it doesn''t matter as long as you die with us." Themanding officer remarked.


    Victory was at hand. With the fleet admiral surrounded by over a dozen battleships that had answered his call, it wouldn''t be long before he dies in their supreme power.


    But unexpectedly, Abraham began chuckling as if barely containing his amusement. The captain wondered if the so-called fleet admiral have be maddened after beingpletely surrounded. Though, Abraham then looked down at them with a cold gaze.


    "Unfortunately, all of you except for me will die. That is your fate and destiny. You should have asked the assistance of the Magus Tower instead. They would have been more effective." He shook his head in disappoint as if they had failed to interest him any longer.


    Abraham quickly jumped away from the sinking battleship and shot himself back to the direction of the United Navy. He nced back at the surrounding battleships, a tinge of coldness shrouded his heart. It didn''t take long before the PrSM ordnance made their impact.


    And from that impact was art.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!!!*

 Chapter 193: | 193 | Final Battle Part 6

    Inside the central south of the ind of Terra, the ground forces of the United Navy have left the shores, proceeding northwest. They travelled deeper into enemy territory with the assistance of dozens of military trucks and armored vehicles driving through the central ins.


    Their destination was northwestern shores where the capital city of Terra resided.


    "Oh, why the silence?" Within one of the military trucks, Lace crossed her legs with a smirk stered on her face. In front of her were the entourage of the Liberation Front, Hermona and her two pets.


    Realizing the silence they were giving the dragoness of the United Navy, Hermona quickly got out of her trance and opened her supple lips. "Eh-ehm... We didn''t expect that an esteemed figure such as yourself would be transported with us."


    Her words were straightforward and were none other than truth. It really wasn''t within her expectation for the Dragon of Liberation to sit along with them. Especially after she had just deflected the trap of the Magus Tower and conquered the southern shores with thending force.


    Hermona was expecting her to be in the frontlines. After all, she was the dragoness, the guardian of the United Navy. Her capabilities would be well-utilized in the front instead of the rear, so it made the most sense.


    "I see... Well, I''m merely curious about the status of the Liberation Front. And from the looks of it, your group is quite a rowdy and energetic bunch." Lace remarked with a smile, staring at Tora and Leonidas sitting beside the young girl of the Liberation Front.


    They avoided her gaze like puppies who had been forced to stand in front of their mother. Though, their reasons were already something Hermona was aware of. Tribe Chiefs like them could easily sense the dominion that the dragoness emanated.


    It was forcing them to bow down, as though they were in the presence of a ruler, a god.


    "At any rate, I''d like to ask you a question." She said with a smile, straightening the backs of everyone near her. Hermona gulped before respectfully asking. "What question may this be, Lady Lace?"


    "Hmm... I''ve got a good one." The edges of her lips rose even further, giving the leader of the Liberation Front a bad feeling. Hermona had heard rumors about the personality of the Dragon of Liberation. Mainly, it was about her teasing activities, which she primarily utilized in her inner circle.


    The only ones that could reign her in were the fleet admiral and the vice admiral of the United Navy. Though, they were even greater rumors about something amiss going on between the three. Maybe a love triangle, or a polygamic rtionship.


    "What do you think of Abraham?" Lace''s question was far from what Hermona had expected. Her line of thoughts was quickly interrupted as she unconsciously followed. "Abraham?" The only one with such a name was the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    "You mean the Fleet Admiral?" Hermona tilted her head, wanting the confirmation of Lace. The dragoness firmly nodded, curious about the opinions of the Liberation Front leader. She had never heard much about what others outside of the United Navy thought about her lover.


    So, she didn''t hesitate to ask when it came up inside her mind.


    On the other hand, the youngdy of the Liberation Front struggled to answer the question of the dragoness. Her opinion of the fleet admiral wasn''t as clear as her thoughts about the dragoness. In her eyes, he was a handsome who she''d like to be friends with.


    After all, their worldviews were much more closer than she had thought. She wanted to confide more with him regarding how to handle things, which might help her mind look at her path in the future in a clearer lens.


    With this in mind, Hermona sometimes opened her mouth, but quickly closes them. It took some time for her to answer, and it disappointed the dragoness. After all, it was but three words, which escaped Hermona''s supple lips. "A great man."


    "A great man?" Lace raised an eyebrow, though immediately shook her head. "He''s the best man. Have you ever seen someone like him in your life? A man like him?" The dragoness began spouting nonsense, which made Hermona even more confused.


    "I mean... You aren''t wrong about someone like the fleet admiral being one of a kind. But why are you confiding such things to me, Lady Lace? I can''t understand." Hermona tilted her head and calmly asked. After all, she wondered what the dragoness saw from her.


    When Lace heard her words, the dragoness''s eyes narrowed as she slightly flicked the youngdy''s forehead. "You should have confidence, Hermona. No need to look at yourself like an insect." Unexpectedly, her words were quickly countered by the youngdy.


    "But I am an insect whenpared to you, Lady Lace. I can''t pretend to be bigger than who I am. That would be foolish." Hermona was straightforward about her opinion, which made the dragoness lightly chuckle. "I guess your right. However, there''s no need to be so stiff when talking to me."


    "Besides, there are times when you must act bigger than who you are. Even if you know you aren''t, you must push onward. After all, there are those who trust you with their lives." Lace continued, giving Hermona an advice.


    Hermona thought about it carefully, understanding the intricacies of her words. She nodded in understanding, taking the dragoness''s advice to heart. But before the two of them could continue their conversation, another figure intruded, standing in front of the dragoness.


    It was none other than her first idol, the silver wolf who had guided her in the creation of the Liberation Front.


    First Lieutenant Mercedes.


    Mercedes stood in front of the dragoness with a calm expression on her face. She was in beastfolk form, and emerged to report something vital to the lieutenant colonel of the Special Response Unit. She lightly nodded at Hermona, and looked directly in the golden eyes of the dragon.


    "Lady Lace, a massive army awaits us in the next hill of the central ins. It is a fairly sizeable army consisting of over 50,000 colonial guards along with hundreds of Magus. You must return to the front." Her words resounded, making Hermona and her entourage astounded.


    An army of 50,000 soldiers was something she hadn''t considered when fighting against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Though, noticing the calm of both Lace and Mercedes. She didn''t let her reaction show, waiting to hear more from the two.


    "It seems that an all-out war is ahead of us. How bloody such a beautiful field bes once the battle starts." Lace muttered, her a tinge of radiance gleamed from her golden irises. But it quickly disappeared when a smile emerged on her face.


    "It looks like our humble discussion will have to end here, Hermona. Later on, I''d like to hear more about your opinions regarding him. After all, it''s interesting to see how others see him not from the lenses of your mind." The dragoness disappeared on the spot after concluding her thoughts.


    Her final words echoed in the interior of the military truck.


    Mercedes nced back at Hermona and gave a light nod before also taking her leave. Silence then consumed the military truck after the two left, leaving those inside it in their own thoughts.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the very front of the formation were several MBTs. They were the armored shield and sword against what was toe. Their only job was to plow a path for the supporting vehicles from behind to transport their cargo onward.


    As they got nearer and nearer to the hill, a following order from the top forced them to halt their movements. The Abram Tanks maintained their formation, pointing their turrets towards the small hill in front of the,


    *Enemy units detected past the hill in your heading. Prepare for contact.* Such an order was issued through the window, which was why the tank operators maintained their vignce towards the hill before them.


    Lace soon stood in front of the United Army formation and gazed at the tiny hill with a tinge of coldness. She could feel the massive army from behind, marching towards them. Most of all, she noticed three troublesome individuals at the forefront of it all.


    "To think that a Sovereign has sent their own personal hunting dogs. How intriguing." She remembered her time with the apostles of the Sovereigns. They were much more stronger than the usual archbishop, and much harder to kill. source-at-NovelBin


    But that was from the past. Her current self was much more stronger.


    The edges of her lips rose as she grinned at the adversaries before her. Their war horns bellowed out as their march caused the earth to slightly tremble. But their foolish actions to bring fear made her excited instead. It gave her the desire to trample them six-feet underground.


    "It''s time to make a Sovereign angry." Lace quickly disappeared from her spot, intending to cause trouble inside the enemy lines before them and the United Army begin their battle.


    On the other hand, though... The apostles of Terra Firma gazed at the mechanical formation of the United Army. Their eyes had a tinge of shock since the technological advancement of the United Navy was much greater than they had imagined. But it wasn''t something that magicraft couldn''t handle.


    "It seems that it''s time to fight." One of them muttered, turning his gaze behind them where one figure stood. Her silver-hair swayed back and forth as her golden eyes shone with shimmering radiance. A smirk remained on her face, her arrogance unrivalled.

 Chapter 194: | 194 | Final Battle Part 7

    *Shield 1-1, orders have been given. Push forward.* Within one of the leading Abrams tank in the spearhead formation of the ground forces, the calm voice of amunication operator escaped the metallic confines of the radio.


    From themunication operator, the tank operators were given the orders to move forward into the hill in front of them.


    *This is Shield 1-1, Copy.* With the orders from the top, the tank operators didn''t hesitate and quickly made their engine rumble. Their metallic interior trembled in a slight vibration as the tank began moving forward.


    Surrounding Abrams in the spearhead formation followed and also drove forward into the hill. Behind them were dozens of IFVs, remaining in the rear of the forward formation to support the MBTs. The military trucks were left behind, awaiting for further orders from the top.


    As the forward formation of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles treaded forward into the tiny hill, a couple of attack helicopters flew above them for support. With the emergence of the attack helicopters, their mission was clear.


    It was to plow everything in their way.


    *Shield 1-1, This is Arrow 2-5. Perceiving enemy troops 1 kilometer north, increase turret degrees and prepare suppression.* After a short while, words from an attack helicopter resounded in their interiors. The tank operators didn''t hesitate, and quickly, the gunner raised the turret degrees.


    Themander observed the battlefield and saw nothing but the top of the tiny hill. But he understood that momentster, what they would see would soon change. As the Abram tanks keep rumbling onward, their tracks broke up the ground while their engines roared with ferocity.


    It didn''t take long before the forward formation reached the apex of the tiny hill. As they reached it, they finally saw the scope of the adversaries. Themander and driver had their mouths agape, unable to quite make sense of what they were seeing before them.


    *Prepare to move forward, plow through the enemy line and give them hell.* The strategy was simple. It was to destroy them in the most simplest way as possible. It was through sustain and extreme firepower.


    The engines continued rumble as the Abram tanks drove forward without hesitation or dy. The attack helicopters above them was already moving ahead of them, hovering about the ground and opening up with a salvo of hellfire missiles.


    *Swooosh!* *Swuuushh!* *Swooooosh!*


    *Swuuuushhh!* *Swoosh!* *Swuushhh!*


    Hundreds of hellfire missiles escaped from the weapon tforms of dozens of attack helicopters. They pierced through the field in-between the ground forces and the enemy army, marking the borders between the two conflicting sides.


    The salvo of hellfire missiles soon made their impact in the middle of the enemy army and their frontlines, bringing about thunderous explosions that scattered throughout the battlefield. It was like a fireworks show, though a horrifying one at that.


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*


    Radiance of destruction flickered in and out through the heavens and the earth. It was as though the explosions itself were dancing amidst the evergreen ins that would soon be smeared in the crimson red of blood.


    The cries of soldiers echoed throughout the vast field. Theirrades, colleagues, and brothers have been silenced with a single stroke of light. Corpses began to scatter along with pools of blood forming near the gathering of corpses.


    "Calm yourselves, Men! We must not break the line! We are what separates the capital and their heretical touch! Be brave and stand with your pride as a human!." The colonialmanders leading the army roared as they yelled out while riding their horses.


    Though, the colonialmanders were interrupted as the ground they stood on trembled. They looked onward and saw mechanical monsters plunging towards them. The barrels of these monsters were pointed at their army, and what followed were sts.


    *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*


    The advancing armored line of Abram tanks began bombarding the front line of the enemy army. Each of their shells pierced through the air, impacting the colonial guards with incendiary explosions. The fiery mes of the United Navy soon enraptured the battlefield.


    However, the army of Terra weren''tpletely helpless under the firepower of the United Army. In their rear were golems, reaching the height of 10 meters. These golems were creations of the Magus Tower, and they numbered around in hundreds, scattered throughout the army.


    *ROAR!* Several of them have already started charging forward, intending to destroy the mechanical beast that was massacring their colonial guards in the frontlines. However, before it could reach its destination, it had unfortunately met its foe.


    Beside the armored line of Abram tanks were the infantry fighting vehicles that had joined the battle. These were a group of Bradleys'' that were meant to softened the weed that would be plowed by the armored vehicles beside it.


    *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*


    The 25mm Bushmasters chain guns of several Bradleys'' began firing at the charging golems. Each traced that it had met from the IFVs broke a part of its body, slowly dwindling its size and durability. They were practically breaking the golems apart.


    With the charge of numerous golems halted by the appearance of the IFVs, the armored line soon turned its focus towards them. Turrets of various Abram tanks pointed towards nearby golems, and didn''t hesitate to immediately st them apart.


    The golems that stood near the frontlines were broken into rocksying on the ground. The colonial guards, who were busy fighting for their lives, had begun unconsciously retreating from the frontlines. However, their weren''t to be faulted with.


    After all, they had expected to fight against humans. Why were they fighting against metallic beasts that breath out explosions and plow through them like grass? But, regardless of their unspoken fear, they still stood their ground for the most part.


    The Bradleys'' began firing at the colonial guards, their 25mm chain guns piercing through bodies, bringing about horrific sight of scattered limbs and broken figures. Blood sttered along the evergreen grass as the armament of the IFVs kept firing out a torrent of metal.


    The colonialmanders leading the army of Terra were clearly troubled. After all, thend firepower of the United Navy were stronger than they had expected. Their golems, superior numbers, and exceptional training weren''t giving them any results.


    "Call for the siege engines! We must destroy their mechanical beasts!" One of the colonialmanders roared out, which caused a chain reaction. The orders from the front line soon reached the rear, to which themanders of the army also epted.


    At this moment, the siege engines were called into battle.


    Its name was the Arcane Siege Engine, a magically-powered siege engine built by the Magus Tower to fight their wars innd. If the Wyvern Riders were the humanity''s power of the skies, the Arcane Siege Engines would be the humanity''s power of thend.


    The colonial guards made way as giant weird-looking machines emerged from the rear of the army. All of them stood tall, reaching the height of 20 meters and the length of 30 meters. They were giants inparison to the mechanical beasts of the United Navy.


    At the forefront of each Arcane Siege Engine was their Arcanum Cannon. It was practically a magically-powered cannon that didn''t require the presence of cannon balls. And its power... Wasn''t to be underestimated.


    *This is Shield 1-4, enemy tanks detected. Prepare for invasive maneuvers.* While the Abram tanks were undefeatable in the face of the colonial guards and their golems, they weren''t foolish enough to test their luck against the magical-machinery of the Magus Tower.


    The armored line soon broke up into pieces, scattering so that the Arcane Siege Engines wouldn''t be able to take them out all at once. On the other hand, the attack helicopters circled around, their next targets, the Arcane Siege Engines.


    As the attack helicopters got nearer to the siege engines of the Magus Tower, they quickly fired their chain guns and released their remaining ordnance. *BRrrrrrtttt!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* Sadly, however... Their attacks were proven to be ineffective. A runic shielding surrounded the Arcane Siege Engines, making them mobile fortresses.


    *Assault ineffective. Enemy tanks are equipped with runic shielding, contacting for reinforcements.* The attack helicopters, after noticing their useless attacks, quickly hovered away from the Arcane Siege Engines, which continued to move forward.


    One of the Arcane Siege Engines soon had its front pointed at one of the MBTs. Its Arcanum Cannon gleamed with radiance, and in mere moments, a beamed of energy escaped the siege gun. It pierced through the battlefield,busting the air surrounding it.


    The beamed of energy quickly impacted one of the MBTs, immediately bringing about arge explosion that would echo throughout the battlefield. A brilliant light then illuminated, followed by a thunderous roar.


    *BOOM!!!*


    After the following explosion, no wreckage of the MBT could be found. There was nothing but a hot crater brimming with molten rock. It was a tragedy, to which every tank operators and pilots saw in the battlefield.


    The silence after the horrific explosion ended with cheers of the colonial guards. One of their nightmares had died giving them hope against the seemingly undefeatable United Army before them. Though, their high morale quickly died down.


    After all, above the skies were dozens of UAVs soaring through the heavens. They were like angels descending from the above, sent by the gods themselves. But one would be a fool to think of them as their allies. The army of Terra quickly realized what was toe.


    The reapers have emerged.

 Chapter 195: | 195 | Final Battle Part 8

    In the battlefield residing within the vast ins of Terra''s central region. A legion of Arcane Siege Engines surged through the field, unbridled and unstoppable. Each of its Arcanum Cannonid waste to those before it burning them to crisps regardless whether they were enemies and allies.


    These siege engines of the Magus Tower seemed unstoppable, giving hope to the colonial guards who were massacred by the armored line and the attack helicopters of the United Navy. However, their hope quieted down.


    After all, above them and in the azure skies, angels descended en masse as though giving divine judgment of the heavens onto the pitiful mortals from below.


    *This is UNS Ceaseless Skies, reinforcing the forward battlefront.* A voice escaped from the radios of the MBTs, the IFVs, and the attack helicopters that roamed the skies. Their reinforcements have arrived, and it was in the form of a giant airship known to many as the UNS Ceaseless Skies.


    The angels descending from the skies were none other than the Reaper Drones sent to destroy high-priority targets such as the Arcane Siege Engines. Fortunately, these UAVs were equipped with bunker busters, making the siege engines a perfect target.


    In the bridge of the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Himmel gazed at the battlefront below riddled with craters and corpses. The armored line and the air force were pushing through with ease, but the emergence of the siege engines halted their advances.


    Naturally, he didn''t want casualties within the ranks of the United Navy to escte further. So, without a tinge of hesitation or dy, he ordered the revtion of the airship and the reinforcing of the forward armored line and air force.


    "Arcane Siege Engines, huh? Their more likend battleships than siege engines." Himmel muttered under his breath while gazing at the legion of siege engines traversing in the battlefront below.


    The destruction of the Arcane Siege Engines was a must. Otherwise, the moment the armored line gets broken though. The ground forces behind would be demolished by the so-called siege engines. As such, their destruction was a primary task for the drone operators.


    "Destroy them no matter what! Don''t leave a single one behind." His words resounded throughout the bridge followed by the drone operators epting his orders with a nod. They quickly operated their Reapers and began the bombardment of the siege engines.


    "Beginning assault." One of the drone operators uttered as the counterattack of the United Navy began.


    In the battlefront below, dozens of Reapers soared through the skies, heading towards the Arcane Siege Engines. As they arrived above their targets, they quickly dropped their bunker busters onto thend battleships of the Magus Tower.


    After dropping their payload, they quickly switched their focus in causing as much damage in the rear lines of the army of Terra as much as possible. On the other hand, the bunker busters kept falling from the heavens, further elerating in every moment.


    It didn''t take long before the bunker busters made their impact. The runic shields of the Arcane Siege Engines quickly formed a barrier, but it was immediately prated by the bunker busters as they strike deeper into their respective siege engines.


    The colonial guards that remained in the front line merely gazed at their siege engines, wondering what was about to happen. After all, what the United Navy had sent practically pierced through their runic shield. It must not be underestimated.


    And they were right. The effects of the pration emerged. It was in the form of radiant lights that pierced throughout the battlefield. What followed were thunderous roars that shook both the heavens and the earth. The shockwave throwing those near it in the distance, causing injuries.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The legion of Arcanum Siege Engines exploded into bits, bing fallen wreckages bursting in crimson mes. It was a fiery sight that brought despair to the colonial guards near it. After all, their hope, the siege engines have been easily defeated by the United Navy.


    They practically had no chance against the ground forces of their adversary. Even if there were 50,000 of them, it was no used. No one wanted to be part of the thousands of corpses that would soon be the fertilizer of this ravaged battlefield.


    "It''s no use! We don''t have a chance! We''re all about to die!" Such remarks were cried out throughout the bloody battlefield devastated by war. The morale of the colonial guards have reached the lowest of the low. And what follows would push it down even further.


    *Advance forward!* In the radio of the MBTs and IFVs, the operators heard the orders from the top to push onward. They didn''t hesitate as their engines roared to life. They drove forward while throwing sustain fire towards the colonial guards who had broken their front lines.


    *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*


    Explosions resounded as another massacre began. The armored line continued to advance forward, uncaring for what was in front of them. Meanwhile, the Reapers kept bombarding the rear lines with missiles, bringing about disorders to chain ofmand.


    The army of Terra was practically in the state of chaos, unable to wield any formidable defense against the advancing armored line of the United Army. The colonial guards were slowly backing away, unconsciously retreating their front lines.


    Bradleys'' kept firing their chain guns, massacring hundreds of colonial guards in mere seconds. Their bodiesid on the ground, their blood tainted the evergreen color of the grass. It was a hellish sight, even for the operators of both the IFVs and MBTs.


    But nevertheless, they must push onward. For the sake of victory and ending the war as fast as possible, they must advance until they reached the capital of the Colonial Dominion.


    Back to the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Himmel carefully observed the situation of the battlefront. The destruction of the Arcane Siege Engines broke the spines of the colonial guards, devastating their morale. It shouldn''t take long before their army would break apart by itself.


    Though, he wasn''t merely watching the circumstance of the battlefield. He was also looking at one of the screens which was portraying the battle between the dragoness and three unknown individuals of the Magus Tower. Their sh was surreal, to say the least.


    ...


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    Explosion resounded throughout the vast ins as magma surged from the ground one after another. Meteors of all sizes also descended from the heavens, radiantly consuming the entirety of the skies. Luckily, this battle was far from the battlefront between Terra and the United Navy.


    Lacended with ease and gazed in the distance with a smile stered on her face. The capabilities of the Apostles weren''t to be underestimated. One of them could conjure and manipte magma with ease while the other could summon meteors from the skies.


    Naturally, these attacks weren''t able to injure her, but it was natural to be cautious when fighting against Magus. After all, one could never know how things would turn up, especially when thesebastards tend to keep a trump card or two around.


    Two of the Apostles made theirnding, each wielding their grimoires imbued with a unique neon hue. They looked at the dragoness, who was uninjured and knew the implications. They nced at one another as one of them muttered. "As expected of the Dragon."


    "I heard a lot of you from our Master. You were the leader of the Revolting Tide, but disappeared after an unfortunate betrayal." The Magma Apostle quietly remarked, which Lace clearly heard. "Are you sure the heretical organization isn''t simply using you?" The Meteor Apostle questioned.


    "Quite ironic for you to trust humans. Perhaps, you have forgotten our excellent abilities in fooling lower intelligent creatures like you." The Magma Apostle continued, though no matter how much words escaped his mouth. The dragoness kept smiling, uncaring of their remarks.


    But the edges of her lips soon rose even further as she began lightly chuckling at the two fools in front of her. Her golden eyes gleamed with radiance as she smirked and looked down at them with the arrogance of a dragon.


    "You flies keep buzzing around my ears trying to bother me. Is talking the only thing your dog of a master taught you? I guess that should be expected for a Sovereign, right?" Lace''s mockery resounded throughout the silent ce. The two Apostles clenched their fist and soon red at the dragon.


    "Mock us all you want. But the Sovereign is beyond your foul mouth!" The Magma Apostle immediately conjured pirs of magma towards the dragoness. But she quickly dodged it with remarkable ease and kept chuckling along the way.


    The Meteor Apostle called upon a meteor that would strike the dragon down from its foolish arrogance. But as the meteor made its impact, Lace merely stood behind them with a bored expression on her face.


    "And here I thought you Apostles of Terra Firma would be a bit more challenging. Is this all you got? I guess your master must be weak then." The arrogant words of Lace echoed in their ears, making them clenched their fist and lose their rationality.


    Maintaining their calm was something that didn''t matter to them anymore. As long as the dragoness dies, they would gain satisfaction they would never feel in their lifetime. But a question follows their thoughts, how would they kill the dragoness?


    Well...


    "You have been hiding for quite a while now. Why don''t you reveal yourself." Her golden irises glowed in a neon hue as she nced in the distance where no one and nothing could be seen. Lace was staring at the third Apostle, who was bidding their time to sneak an attack.


    Unfortunately for them, however. Before they dare to trick the senses of a dragon, how about they trick their master first?

 Chapter 196: | 196 | Final Battle Part 9

    "You really thought that''d work on me, didn''t you?" Lace raised her eyebrows, though a smirk remained on her face. The strategy of these Apostles were too simple for her liking. The third Apostle should have kept hiding and never revealed herself if they wanted to utilize such tactic.


    The moment that they emerged as three Apostles. That fact never disappeared in the dragoness''s mind, even if she was fighting to the death against the two of them. It was for this reason that she noticed the third Apostle after the two kept nagging at her about betrayal.


    "But I must admit. At the very least, you didn''t think that brute forcing against me would bode well for you. That, is something I can praise you with." She continued, her soft yet cold words resounded throughout the vast ins devastated by their previous sh.


    "You''re too arrogant, Dragon. There are many individuals that can defeat you in the continent of Europa. You are but a speck of insect before them." The Magma Apostle uttered, not wanting to let the dragoness from deterring them even further.


    "You may say so, but what are you if I''m nothing more but an insect? I guess you''re a dust in their eyes. Something that isn''t worth paying attention at." Lace countered with ease. Her mind had been trained by teledramas that always aired in the television.


    Fighting through words was something she was ustomed at. Especially with her training against the stone-faced Charlotte. Her mouth can spout words as potent as a serpent''s venom.


    The Magma Apostle clenched their fists and furrowed their eyebrows. The spiteful words of the dragoness echoed inside his mind, resounding as though reminding him of how he was lesser than a bug in the eyes of the world''s powerhouse.


    He understood that no matter how much he had worked. It would never reached the eyes of the Sovereigns. He knew it better than the most that Apostles were nothing but glorified subordinates. Their training weren''t even facilitated by Terra Firma.


    In his eyes, they were but dogs who should be used and pointed at where to go.


    It was for this reason that the dragoness''s words resonated deeply with him. It made him angry at how weak he was. Even though his loyalty towards his master was first to none, it was difficult to halt doubts from piercing into his subconscious.


    Though, before he could continue attending his surging thoughts. The voice of his colleague got him out of his angry trance. "Calm yourself. Just like we intended to rile up the dragoness, she wishes to do the same to us. We mustn''t let her words affect our psyche."


    "Otherwise, we die in her hands."


    It came from the third Apostle, whose magic Lace was ignorant about. Both the Magma and the Meteor Apostle regained their calm, realizing that they almost fell into the trap of the dragoness. The two nced at the third Apostle, giving her a nod.


    "Thank you for the reminder. To think I gave her words a thought." The Meteor Apostle squinted his eyes, ring at the dragon in front of him. What they had done was heresy to the highest order. To doubt the Sovereigns of their wisdom and power was akin to spitting on their very figure.


    "I am disappointed at myself." The Magma Apostle shook his head as he couldn''t believe he had even dared to doubt his master. He gazed at the dragoness with cautiousness, afraid of whatever tricks she may utilize against them.


    "At any rate, we must kill her if we desire to take back the colonies of Terra. Otherwise, the whole thing would be for nothing. Master will be disappointed at us." The third Apostle remarked, her words resounded for the two Apostles to hear.


    They gravely nodded, agreeing at her words. They didn''t want to disappoint their master. More so, they were afraid of the punishment she would bestow at them.


    "The dragoness has a physique that rivals our master, but her mastery in magic is crudepared to us Magus. We can only fight her in our strongest capability, so we must throw everything we got. There is no holding back if we desire to defeat her and kill her."


    The third Apostle continued as her grimoire opened with remarkable radiance. She closed her eyelids, conjuring a spell. In mere moments, roots escaped her grimoire and dug deep into the ground. They grew even further and further, epassing the entirety of the vast ins.


    On the outside, things appeared to look normal. But deep underground were surging roots that would destroy everything in its way. Her magicraft was simple. It was the magic of Nature. Its ability to bring life, and to decay it.


    Lace readied herself, understanding that the second bout was about to begin. The Magma and Meteor Apostle didn''t hesitate as they quickly conjured their spell domain, which had the same properties as the one casted by the Nature Apostle.


    The Magma Apostle''s spell summoned a volcanic eruption in the middle of the grasnd. A crack formed from the ground and a volcano emerged from it. It was as though a mountain had awakened from its slumber.


    Crimson hue then shrouded the air as magma streams consumed the vast ins that surrounded them. The grasnd burned from the temperature rising beyond what was considered normal. It was as though a forest fire had urred in the tall and slick grasses that covered the ins.


    And it didn''t even end there.


    The Meteor Apostle also casted his own spell. Using his most powerful attack, he called upon a giant meteor which was slowly descending from the skies. The meteor was 2 kilometers wide, practically shadowing the surroundings of the dragoness.


    The heavens was aze from the airbusting and the winds shredding under the weight of the falling meteorite. It was as though the judgement of the heavens have descended, bringing about the execution of the dragoness.


    "It''s time!" The Nature Apostle quickly used her scattered roots to begin an assault of the dragoness in multiple directions. Several gigantic roots far stronger than steel emerged and propelled themselves towards the dragoness.


    Lace squinted her eyes and quickly dodged the iing roots. But out of nowhere, several roots immediately captured her body and lodged her into the ground. These roots werepressed versions of therge and durable roots, further enhancing it.


    ''I see... These roots don''t have a tinge of mana, which gave them the ability to pierce through my surveince.'' When fighting against Magus, she would always utilize her mana detection to analyze their spells and where they would conjure it.


    It also gave her the ability to dodge them with rtive ease, but it seems that she had been relying on it too much. ''But, not only does it have no mana, it is also practically invisible from my senses.'' Lace knew that magicraft was weird, but this was too strange even for her.


    The dragoness then noticed the roots that had covered the entirety of her body to be seeping away her strength and mana. Butpared to her reserves, they were negligible.


    The Magma Apostle, realizing the opportunity, also didn''t hesitate. Using the summoned volcano, he conjured torrents of magma from the streams that escaped it and directed it towards the dragoness. Not only that, these magma torrents werepressed even further, bing nothing more but a needle.


    With the dragoness trapped within the roots of their colleague, they were practically given the chance to chop of her head. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. They would never be able to have the dragoness so free for them to attack ever again.


    The torrent of magma pierced through the air, striking the arms of the dragoness. Though, she remained calm and aloof, as though uncaring about the injuries she had recently gained. Instead, her attention was directed at the iing meteorite headed her way.


    It was somewhat beautiful for the dragoness as it be a fiery gargantuan fireball that consumed the skies before her.


    As the massive meteorite summoned by the Meteor Apostle descended further from the heavens and deeper into the earth, the Apostles realized that if they didn''t dodge the iing giant fireball. They would be part of the execution they had begun.


    The three nced at one another and didn''t hesitate to teleport away from the area of effect.


    On the other hand, Captain Himmel observed the entire situation with furrowed eyebrows. The dragoness was pinned down on the ground, meeting the meteorite that would shake the entirety of the ind. However, there was nothing he could do about it as he was but a human.


    "Prepare for an extreme turbulence." Himmel warned his officers, who quickly nodded and prepared for what was toe. He turned his attention back at the screen and saw something peculiar. Despite meeting what he could only consider as certain death, the dragoness seemed to be smiling.


    But before he could think about it, the gargantuan meteorite already made its impact onto the position of the dragoness. A radiant light shone outward, piercing both the skies above and thend below. It gleamed with unparalleled brilliance, quite a beautiful sight for what one could consider as utter devastation.


    A shockwave escaped outward, pushing scattered clouds away from the impact sight. The ground surrounded the area cracked and lifted up, thrown beyond their former position. With the shockwave was also the expected sound of the explosion. It was a thunderous roar that was heard by everyone and everything within and beyond the ind of Terra.


    *BOOM!!!*

 Chapter 197: | 197 | Final Battle Part 10

    In the vast ins within the central region of Terra, it was as though the golden sun had risen once again from the lines of the boundless horizon. The gleaming light pierced through everything along with a thunderous roar that bellowed throughout the heavens and the earth.


    It was quite a beautiful sight in the eyes of the ignorant.


    However, to those near it, the scene was far from beautiful.


    "Hold on!" Within the bridge of the UNS Ceaseless Skies, Captain Himmel roared as a surging turbulence shook the interiors of the airship. The naval personnel under hismand swiftly followed orders and held on to their respective equipment.


    Himmel lowered his posture as the walls and floor around them trembled from the turbulence brought about by the explosion. He maintained his calm and squinted his eyes while ncing at the distorted screen that previously disyed the impact site.


    Dozens of thoughts flooded inside his head, wondering how he would exin the situation to the fleet admiral. One wouldn''t expect for the Colonial Dominion to employ such tactics, and one simply couldn''t imagine the dragoness being shackled to the ground.


    ''The Dragon of Liberation must not die.'' Himmel thought to himself, clenching his fist and furrowing his eyebrows. Not only does the dragon contain half of their military power, she was also the wife-to-be of the fleet admiral. Her death wouldn''t do good to the United Navy.


    However, there was nothing he could do about it. As he had thought before, he was but a human. The armaments of the UNS Ceaseless Skies were useless in the battle between the Apostles and the dragoness. Though, he also understood that these were him rationalizing what had happened.


    Perhaps, he should have assisted the dragoness in some way. Attracting their attention and giving a moment of distraction might have resulted in victory, even if the UNS Ceaseless Skies may fall from the heavens.


    Himmel could only shake his head as the turbulence surrounding the airship faded and calmed down. All of his subordinates stood up from their lowered position and he quickly began giving orders to his men.


    "Examine the situation and give me the status of our arsenal." His words resounded throughout the bridge. The naval officers along with various operators gave their nods and immediately followed through his orders.


    Some being examining the situation on the ground while others checked the status of their deployed drones.


    Captain Himmel once again nced at the monitor screen brimming with distortion. He hoped to returned what it was before and see what had happened or urred in that ce. However, no matter how much moments have passed, nothing changed.


    "Sir, we have received the situation in the ground. Things have gottenplicated since the explosion. The Magus Tower have revealed themselves and are in the process of reinforcing the army of Terra." One of the intelligence officers calmly reported.


    "The drones are barely operational, Sir. The explosion has caused some interference with ourwork, so there should be some dy with the UAVs'' input and output. I suggest waiting a couple of minutes before directing control over the drones." A drone operator also reported to Himmel.


    Captain Himmel raised his eyebrows after hearing the reports of his subordinates. The emergence of the Magus Tower made things even moreplicated, and their troubledwork needed time to returned to its high operation status.


    "We must assist the United Army and our allies. Even if our drones aren''t operable, we mustn''t let the Magus Tower massacre our fellowrades. Change ourtitude to a height serviceable by our weapons." Himmel ordered, not wanting to hesitate in this precarious situation.


    ...


    Meanwhile...


    Somewhere in the central region of Terra was a massive crater residing in the vast ins. Surrounding it were endless charredndscape and the fiery mes of inferno. Magma streams also epassed the area, making it akin to hell.


    A distance away from it were three figures. These three were the Apostles of Terra Firma, the supposed executioners of the Dragon of Liberation, Lace. They stared at the crater from afar with cold gaze. They had seeded in their mission, and it was a lot easier than they had expected.


    "We were fortunate that the dragon was arrogant. Otherwise, it would have gotten moreplicated." The Nature Apostle uttered with a soft voice. What she said was correct. Things would have gotten more troublesome if the dragoness was kept alive even longer.


    "Even if it became problematic, I''m confident of handling her regardless." The Magma Apostle remarked, not thinking much of the dragoness that they had executed with ease. Such were the fate of beings lower than them.


    "To think we needed our strongest spells to take care of her." The Meteor Apostle muttered while staring into the distance. The crater brought about by his meteor was an exhrating sight. But it wasn''t mere his that gave the dragoness her inevitable death.


    "Oh, youpleted my mission?" Another voice escaped behind the three of them, causing their spines to chill. They quickly kneeled and bowed their heads deeply, not wanting to offend their master.


    "We havepleted the mission, Master." All of them uttered at the same time, not daring to look at the face of their master. "Hmm... I guess you could think of it asplete with the destruction you three have caused." Their master''s soft voice resounded in their ears.


    "You may raise your head."


    Following her words, the three looked up, gazing upon a gorgeousdy with brown skin and a hair dyed in evergreen, like the color of leaves. She wore a beautiful dress sewn with the most expensive minerals that could be found beneath the earth. It made her tantalizing to see in the eyes.


    "But you shouldn''t underestimate her. I have fought her before in this very avatar of mine. She''s quite tenacious if the situation calls for it." Terra Firma had fought against the Lace when she was first known as the Dragon of the Revolting Tide.


    Those rebels have made a decision to conquer back their lost ancestral territories in the Frontier, prompting the involvement of a Sovereign. After all, Terra Firma had invested quite a lot in the Colonial Dominions that have nted themselves in the Frontier.


    She wasn''t willing to lose the investment she had grown for hundreds of years.


    "W-What do you mean by alive, Master? She''s-" Before the Magma Apostle could continue, Terra Firma ced her fingers before her supple lips,manding him to be quiet. Her hazel-colored eyes narrowed as she pointed into the distance where the crater resided.


    "Look deeper my Apostle, you mustn''t let your eyes fool you." Her words echoed in their ears, prompting all of them to gazed at the crater with scrutiny. Instead of observing it with their eyes, they instead used their mana sense.


    It was at that moment they had realized the massive mana deposit emanating from the crater.


    "How is this possible? That was our strongest attacksbine!" The Meteor Apostle couldn''t imagined how his spell had be ineffective against the dragoness. It had destroyed armies and countries before, how could it not defeat the Dragon of Liberation?


    "Dragons are tough. Unless you burn every cell in their bodies, they would continue to live. After all, there''s a reason why they are considered as Nature''s perfect creature. Besides, she has gotten stronger since our bout decades ago."


    "Such mere attacks wouldn''t be enough to end her."


    "Isn''t that right, Lace?" The edges of her lips rose as she couldn''t help but be reminded of the time when she and that dragon fought. It was quite an intriguing duel, despite merely utilizing her Avatar to fight against the dragoness.


    In the meantime, deep within the vast crater molded by the magicraft of the three Apostles of Terra Firma, Lace stood with a severely injured body. Blood was sttered everywhere while her arms tangled, barely hanging onto her body.


    But regardless of her severe injuries, she maintained an aloof yet smiling expression. It was as though her mere circumstance of being alive was enough to take care of the Apostles. She slowly turned her gaze towards them as her arms quickly regenerated to her body.


    Lace''s state returned to what it was as if nothing had urred despite being in the middle of a massive crater and surrounded by a charredndscape of devastation.


    "Quite interesting spells you have there, Apostles. Much more impressive than any Magus I have seen." Her words echoed throughout thend, causing Terra Firma to frown. She wasn''t annoyed by the ineffective of her Apostles'' magic, but Lace''s remark about such fireworks being better than anything she had seen.


    "Your eyes must have been blinded by my Apostles for you to give awful remarks." Terra Firmamented while Lace appeared in front of her. She was uninjured, even her clothes looked as though they had recently gone through a washing machine.


    Lace smiled at the Sovereign and responded. "They''re much more interesting than you, to say the least." Her words earned the obvious scoff of Terra Firma, who narrowed her eyes and noted. "You''re still the same as before, Lace. Your venomous mouth hasn''t change, perhaps bing more awful."


    "Thank you for your praise, but I''d rather have such words escaped his mouth than yours." Lace grinned and took down the supposed-praised of the Sovereign. Lovely words should be preserved to her lover.


    "Oh, him... huh? The manaless human that took your heart. How did you even fall for a disappointment and a weakling? Was he so enamored by you? Did he utter false promises?


    It really makes me wonder." Terra Firma shook her head in disappointment, seeing how much the dragon had fallen in her eyes.


    "Why must all of you be so engaged with my love life? Are you all jealous that I found something you couldn''t? I''m even more disappointed now from how boring you have be. " Lace''s golden irises soon glowed as her gaze became cold. "It makes me want to burn all of you."

 Chapter 198: | 198 | Final Battle Part 11

    "My Apostles..." Terra Firma''s eyes nced at her Apostles, kneeling with their heads down behind her back. In their minds, it was beyond heretical to stand in equal to their master. They also admire her deeply in their heads and also found themselves inherently afraid.


    The moment such soft words escaped her supple lips. The Apostles bowed their heads deeper, listening to whatever she says with their utmost concentration and rity.


    "I have given you the mission to execute the dragoness in my behalf and sent you to the Colonial Dominion of Terra toplete it. But you have failed to do so as she stands before me now, alive. However, I shall forgive you for your failure as it is natural for imperfect beings."


    Terra Firma''s irises glowed with a tinge of radiance as the words that were uttered from her mouth was akin to amandment to her Apostles. Each words have given their mission far greater weight than ever before.


    "Instead, I will give you a second chance to seed in this mission of yours. Kill her and I shall reward you everything you want. I will give anything I can give. Whether it''d be power, wealth, fame, or perhaps... A personal time with my Avatar." The edges of Terra Firma''s lips rose.


    The bodies of the Apostles tensed as they had been given the chance of a lifetime. They would be able to get anything they want. Power, wealth, and fame that they had sought for will be finally theirs. No one dared to doubt the Sovereign.


    For they were the Gods of Humanity, standing at the apex of reality. With this in mind, the Apostles have one goal imprinted in their mind, heart, and soul. They have to kill the dragoness no matter what.


    Otherwise, they would fail their master the second time.


    "Understood, Our Master!" The Apostles answered at the same time, their heart pounding in excitement. The rewards they would gain from beheading the dragoness was far greater than they had thought.


    Hearing their words of confirmation, Terra Firma merely smirked and turned her attention once again to the uninjured Dragon of Liberation. She gazed at the dragoness with scrutiny and remarked. "You have grown stronger, Lace. I guess Kaguya was right about you growing ever more powerful."


    "I was curious about what the reason may be. Though, I could already guess it from how you act." Terra Firma ced her fingers on her supple and crimson lips. "It seems that the so-called Fleet Admiral isn''t as useless as I have previously thought."


    "He has some potential. I''d like to personally meet with him and check him out myself." She smirked, imagining the things she could do with the dragoness'' lover. From how things look, Lace had already lost her purity and have matured.


    Since her lover was alive, it meant that he had the capabilities to keep up with a dragon and also entertain it. Terra Firma couldn''t help but lick her lips, but Lace quickly appeared beside her and gave her a kick.


    The Sovereign dodged, but her arm was disintegrated by Lace''s attack. She raised her eyebrows and examined the damage of her Avatar. To think that the dragoness who barely kept up with her Avatar could now fight against it with remarkable ease.


    No wonder Kaguya didn''t bother to escte the conflict with the dragoness. After all, her toy would be the first one to die if she dared to fight against the Dragon of Liberation. An exchange far suited her goals than a sh.


    "Quite impressive." Terra Firma praised as Lace merely red at her with a cold and dominating gaze. The Sovereign''s Apostles quickly surrounded her and took out their grimoires, intending to defend the Avatar of Terra Firma.


    "Apologies for failing to protect you, Master." The Meteor Apostle muttered while giving the dragoness a harsh gaze. Multiple spells was already ready to be activated the moment the dragoness makes more moves.


    Terra Firma didn''t give her Apostle much care as she kept her attention at the dragoness. She couldn''t help but smirk as she revealed some of her ns. "Lace, an Archmagus is currently after your lover. I heard that he''s sailing in the seas, shing against the fleet of Terra."


    "I wonder if a manaless human like him could handle the onught of an Archmagus." From her mocking words, she expected a violent reaction from the dragoness. But the dragon''s reaction was beyond her expectations. The edges of Lace''s lips rose as she began lightly chuckling.


    "I must say. You fools are quite impressive in your desire to make things grandeur andplicated. But unfortunately for you, my lover is much more stronger than you imagine. Manaless? Perhaps you are right, but there are ways to get stronger without a tinge of magical influence."


    Lace uttered while chuckling at the fools in front of her. Terra Firma furrowed her eyebrows as she muttered. "Don''t tell me you gave him your he-"


    "Don''t misunderstand. My lover doesn''t need my blood or organs to be stronger. While I''d like to give him a part of me to consummate our love, he''s traditional in terms of affection." Lace narrowed her eyes and shot down the words of the Sovereign.


    "You aren''t the type to lie. I guess that man must have gotten stronger in some unexpected way. It seems that our victory isn''t as destined as I have previously thought. But, perhaps my Apostles will turn the tides of this war." Terra Firma softly uttered, turning away from the dragoness.


    "Please my Apostles. Strike the dragon down." After such words escaped her, the Sovereign disappeared in an instant as though she hadn''t existed before them in the first ce.


    With that, Lace and the three Apostles remained in the vast ins devastated by their previous sh. The dragoness coldly red at the Apostles, who already readied their grimoires. They were ready to make sure that the dragon stays dead.


    But sadly for them, Lace wasn''t particrly interested in wasting more precious time. They had a Colonial Dominion to conquer.


    "I can''t waste my time with you three." She remarked as her golden irises glowed with unparalleled brilliance. A beam of radiance enveloped the entirety of her body as a storm formed out of nowhere in what was supposed to be the clear skies.


    "Prepare yourselves!" The Nature Apostle reminded her colleagues as the body of the dragoness grew even further. They gazed towards the heavens unraveled by hundreds of lightning bolts bellowing throughout the stormy skies.


    The Magma and Meteor Apostle readied their spells as they understood what was toe. They will finally be fighting against the Dragon of Liberation. The one that had brought chaos in the Frontier and fought toe to toe against a Sovereign''s Avatar.


    As the golden light swallowed the entirety of the heavens and the earth, a vast silhouette of an eastern dragon emerged in the stormy skies. Its eyes gleamed with a golden hue, like a piercing light of a divine god that had descended to the mortal realm.


    Lace''s dragon form soon revealed itself as the golden light that blinded reality slowly begin to fade. The Apostles gazed upward with their body tense and their hearts pounding. It was the first time they had ever seen such an abomination of nature.


    "H-How is this possible?" The Nature Apostle muttered under her heavy breath, unable to understand what was happening.


    "Did we stand no chance since the beginning?" The Meteor Apostle questioned since he was losing hope and beginning to despair as each passing moment continued.


    "Maybe she knew since the beginning..." The Magma Apostle remarked, bringing the attention of the two Apostles. They knew what he was trying to say. Such heretical thoughts emerged inside their mind too, but they didn''t have the courage to say it directly.


    "Was it nothing more but false hope? Power, wealth, and fame? These doesn''t mean anything if you''re dead to begin with." The Nature Apostle gritted her teeth as she couldn''t believe that death was now knocking in their doorsteps.


    Meanwhile, a massive ck eastern dragon slithered in the heavens. It was ten kilometers long, farrger than anything they have seen. Arcs of golden lightning bolts enveloped its body as it golden eyes glowed with unparalleled authority.


    The Apostles have thought of themselves as the executioners. But perhaps it was actually the opposite.


    "We mustn''t give up!" The Nature Apostle regained herself and conjured dozens of defensive spells. Chills resounded her spine as she felt death creeping closer by the moment. The Magma and Meteor Apostle also regained their calm and followed suit.


    None of them wanted to die.


    The golden eyes of the Dragon of Liberation pointed at them, emanating a heavy pressure over their bodies. The mana in the air was converging towards a singr location. And that location was none other than the mouth of the eastern dragon.


    The Dragon of Liberation slowly opened its jaw, revealing an orb of golden radiance akin to the zing sun enraptured inside its mouth. Dozens of gargantuan vines, volcanoes, and meteors quickly fell upon the vast ins as the Apostle took out every spell in their arsenal.


    Unfortunately for them, though...


    It was already toote.


    The Dragon of Liberation released its contained radiance, pointing it towards the Apostles below it. A beam of golden light escaped its jaw and pierced through the heavens while blinding the entirety of the ind of Terra. Once again, the sun had risen. But far brighter than ever before.


    The beam burst through everything, whether it''d be the giant vines, the riddling volcanoes, or the descending meteors that dared to be an obstacle in its path. The Apostles were blinded by the golden light and soon felt it cover their bodies.


    Their defensive spells shattered upon impact and they couldn''t even release a cry for mercy.


    What followed was the strongest explosion that everyone standing in the ind of Terra had ever felt. The United Navy and the Colonial Dominion felt the indomitable power brought by the Dragon of Liberation.


    The stormy skies opened up while cracks instantly formed throughout the ind. The heavens bellowed as thend trembled. The golden light continued to blind everything, and surging after it was none other than its deafening roar.


    *BOOM!!!!!!!!*

 Chapter 199: | 199 | Final Battle Part 12

    As the UNS Trinity of Sce sted its naval guns and bombarded the battleships before its broadside, Vice Admiral Charlotte calmly stood in the bow of the capital battleships, holding a hanger with the fleet admiral''s uniform.


    She steadily observed the resulting destruction of the attempted encirclement brought about by the fleet of Terra. Her eyes narrowed as she thought it shouldn''t take long before her fleet admiral arrives in front of her. And she was right.


    Momentster, Abraham softlynded onto the bow of the UNS Trinity of Sce. His clothing brimmed with scratches and tainted by thick blood stains. He patted some dusts off his uniform and slowly turned his attention to Charlotte, bringing a smile on his face.


    "Apologies for being a bitte, Charlotte. They were fairly more troublesome than I had previously expected." He uttered his apologies as he took steps forward to her direction.


    "There''s no need for the apologies, Fleet Admiral. I''m simply d that you were safe. Quite a reckless n to turn yourself into a bait." Charlotte took out his uniform from the hanger and helped him changed his clothing. "Even with your newfound abilities..."


    "You should avoid such daring thoughts, after all, who knows what ns they have in mind." Even though she felt like she was nagging him a bit too much, it was something that the fleet admiral needed to hear.


    She wouldn''t worry as much when the one acting was Lace. After all, the problem dragon was a monstrous entity who could easily handle her own weight against the ones who rule the world. On the other hand, Lace had already confirmed that the fleet admiral had no inherent resistance against magic.


    "I''ll try... But I can''t keep promises." Abraham gave a teasing smile, to which made the vice admiral shake her head in exasperation. "I guess trying is better than not doing anything." She muttered under her breath.


    "At any rate, how''s the status of the ground forces in the ind of Terra?" Abraham straightened his new uniform and coolly asked Charlotte. The naval battle between the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion had currently been in a draw.


    The forces, warships, and personnel from the two sides were practically throwing everything they got towards each other. It made him curious about the situation of the ground forces they had sent to clean up the ind.


    Charlotte raised her eyebrows, but immediately answered his question. "The ground forces are currently doing well. Though, an army of fifty-thousand colonial guards stand between them and the gates of the capital city."


    "Last time I heard about them, the armored line of the United Army are taking care of the frontlines. Along with the mechanized-battalion and the airborne-support battalion, the scales are falling to our side. But..." She halted for a moment, prompting Abraham to be confused.


    "But?" He questioned, wondering what she wanted to say.


    "The Magus Tower has been passive during the entirety of both of our battles. No Magus could be detected in our enemy lines. Their nonexistence is haunting, especially to our intelligencework. The only thing we can do is wait for them to spring up." Charlotte exined.


    The fact that no Magus had assisted the grand army of Terra was confusing even for Abraham. He himself didn''t know what ns they had in mind. He wasn''t an oracle after all. However, one vital question was needed before he could make assumptions.


    "How about Lace? What is her status?" Charlotte''s answer would decide the next step of the United Navy.


    Hearing the words of the fleet admiral, Charlotte raised her eyebrows and gathered information told to her about the problem dragon. It didn''t take a moment before she responded to his question. "Her status isplicated, Fleet Admiral."


    "Lace is currently fighting against three individuals of the Magus Tower. We can consider them as high-ranking Magus since they seem to be able to hold well against the dragoness. Currently, they are the only Magus that had made their official entry into the battlefront."


    "ording to our intelligence, one can manipte magma and conjure volcanoes, another can summon meteors from the skies, andstly, a final one with unknown magicraft. Quite the troublesome enemies they are, but I doubt they would be able to defeat the dragoness."


    Charlotte calmly reported while Abraham nodded in understanding. It seems that whatever his lover was fighting were second to the Sovereigns. After all, it wouldn''t take three Sovereigns to fight against a dragon. Even Lace herself had already confirmed how strong the Sovereigns were.


    "Hmm... It seems that the Magus Tower isn''t holding back. They might be waiting for something. I want you to be read-" Before Abraham could continue, a bright light shone from the heavens above the ind of Terra. It was a massive meteor descending downwards onto the ground.


    "What the hell." He remarked, gazing at the meteor that shone like the second sun. Without any hesitation or dy, Abraham contacted the bridge through his radio, giving them orders. "Prepare for an iing st. Make sure to maintain observations toward the enemy fleet."


    He didn''t know what they were nning, so maintaining their guard was the only thing he could do. He nced once again at the descending meteor and muttered under his breath. "Lace..." He hoped that nothing too severe would happen to her.


    "Fleet Admiral, I''ll return to my station for now. I''ll report vital intelligence to you once they emerge." Charlotte saluted to Abraham and immediately returned to the bridge. The UNS Trinity of Sce needed amanding officer, so she was ready to fill that role.


    "Understood... Take care, Charlotte." Abraham nodded at his vice admiral, who merely smiled as a response to his words. She quickly entered the UNS Trinity of Sce, leaving the fleet admiral behind standing in the bow.


    He turned his attention to the descending meteor that was about to make its impact. He wanted to run towards it and try assisting his lover in some way. But they already had duties they needed toplete. He trusted her to lift herself up even in precarious situation.


    After all, she was his problem dragon.


    The Dragon of Liberation.


    "Damn-" As the meteor made its impact, a radiant light shone further than ever before. It pierced through both the heavens and the earth, making it as though the pearly gates have opened. Abraham narrowed his gaze from the blinding light, but kept observing it without care.


    "That''s quite a powerful explosion. The shockwave should be troublesome for both sides." Abraham mumbled to himself as a couple of secondster, the shockwave met with the naval fleets shing in the western shores of Terra.


    *BOOM!!!*


    A thunderous roar resounded as the waves became rougher tilting their warships slightly to the side. The winds of change surged through all of them, but Abraham steadily stood, not bothered by the iing winds.


    His radio soon released a distorted sound, calling out for his attention. Abraham quickly took it out and ced it beside his ear. What followed was the precarious report of the vice admiral. It made him frown and unconsciously clench his remaining fist.


    "Fleet Admiral, the dragon has been pinned down and was directly impacted by the meteor. Her status is unknown, and the situation in the field has beplicated. The Magus Tower have revealed themselves and are now beginning their counter attack."


    "Our forces are currently in a state of disorientation, especially after the explosion of the unexpected meteor. The UNS Ceaseless Skies has now attempting to reinforced the ground forces personally to give them time to react against the advancing tide of enemies."


    With the troublesome situation in the ind of Terra, Abraham wanted to directly support them through the western shores. But unfortunately, the situation in the seas have also be tougher. He gazed forward at the formation of battleships that had recently arrived.


    Inside each of them were dozens of Magus, signifying that the fleet of Terra has also begun its counterattack against the United Navy.


    "I see... While I''d like to immediately support our allies in the ind of Terra, we have to handle what''s in our te first." Abraham uttered the truth and continued. "Increase surveince at 275 degrees northwest, there are iing battleships with onboard Magus."


    On the other side of the radio, Charlotte raised her eyebrows and quickly ordered an intelligence officer to turn their surveince towards the location told by the fleet admiral. The intelligence officer immediately followed orders and sent a reconnaissance drone for recon.


    It didn''t take long before their screens disyed a formation of battleships full of Magus. Charlotte''s gaze became cold as thoughts of destroying them flooded her mind. But she instantly calmed herself and asked for further instructions from the fleet admiral.


    "What are your orders, Fleet Admiral?" She coolly asked, to which Abraham replied with a cold smile. "Destroy them, of course. Give them the entire firepower of the United Navy. I want them sunk in less than an hour."


    The fleet admiral was barely maintaining his calm. What had happened to his lover had made him distraught. But he didn''t have the time to think much about it, especially with their enemies in the horizon. Instead of bottling up his anger, it was better to let it go.


    Such wrath would be directed at the enemy fleet before him. Mercy wasn''t in his mind anymore, and he didn''t bother thinking about holding back.


    "Your wishes are ourmand, Fleet Admiral. It shall be done." Charlotte answered his call for destruction and swiftly ryed it towards thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus. It was also regarded towards the supporting forces scattered throughout several nearby inds.


    Meanwhile, in the leading battleship of the newly-emerged battlefleet was the Archmagus of the Magus Tower. His name was Gunther, and he only had one mission in mind.


    The death of the United Navy''s fleet admiral.

 Chapter 200: | 200 | Final Battle Part 13

    Explosions resounded in the western shores of Terra. Two battlefleets of the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion of Terra shed amidst the raging tides of the northern seas. Metallic warships pierced through the rough waves, bombarding at every direction like untamed monsters.


    Giant medieval battleships also sailed through the vicious waters of the north, firing their massive cannons along with offensive spells getting thrown all about the battlefield of the western shores. It was chaos as the two sides didn''t care enough to maintain their battle formation.


    *BOOM!!!*


    In a peculiar medieval battleship, Abraham made hisnding with a cold expression stered on his face. The crew of the battleship standing before him in the decks felt anxious and fear as thest ship this personnded on exploded into bits.


    "I must say... The numbers game of the Colonial Dominion isn''t to be underestimated." He took a deep breath and clenched his fist. Pulling his arm back, he quickly punched downward, hitting the wooden deck below him.


    In a mere instant, the entirety of the medieval battleship exploded into tiny bits. It was as though its ammunition depot detonated in a st.


    Abraham watched as the medieval battleship he stood in slowly sunk under the embrace of the northern cold waters. The crew cried out for help, yelled out curses towards him. But an aloof expression remained on his face, uncaring of the deaths and devastation that shrouded the sinking warship.


    "That''s the third one." He muttered under his breath, ncing at the sinking battleships he had devastated with his knuckles. However, as he took a glimpse of the remaining medieval battleships of the fleet of Terra, he slowly furrowed his eyebrows. "And they are still numerous."


    The Magus were troublesome as the runic shields of the medieval battleships were bing difficult to prate with their influence. Not only that, their offensive spells were disrupting the guidance system of his warships, making some shots miss.


    ''I have to take care of them as much as possible.'' He quietly thought to himself, and slightly entertained the thought of giving the R&D Department another project regarding anti-magic piercing projectiles. It would solve a lot of problems they have against the Magus of the Colonial Dominion.


    Abraham quickly shook his head and threw his thoughts at the back of his mind. He jumped away from the sinking battleship and propelled himself towards the nearest one. It only took seconds for him tond on the deck of his fourth warship.


    The Magus immediately surrounded him with their spells activated and pointed at him. They didn''t hesitate as they cast offensive spells towards his direction. Fireballs, icicles, lightning bolts, and many more flew through the air heading towards him.


    He easily dodged their attacks and dispatched the Magus near him by cutting their heads off with his bare fingers. He coldly red at the remaining ones, who swiftly activated their defensive spells. Though, they seemed to have misunderstood. His target wasn''t them, but their vessel.


    Without any hesitation or dy, Abraham threw a punch towards the wooden deck of the medieval battleship. It cracked under pressure, creating a giant hole in the middle of the ship. The force of his knuckles prated deeper and destroyed the lower hull of the warship.


    It didn''t take long before the medieval battleship ended up like its predecessors. It brought about a resounding explosion that sunk the warship into the cold waters of the northern seas. The fleet admiral merely nced at it for a moment, before turning his attention to his next target.


    The medieval battleship in his sight was much more different than the first ones. The most unique thing about it was the simple fact that it was heading towards him, probably intending to take care of him. Not only that, it also has the least amount of Magus onboard.


    "So, the big boss, huh? I guess that makes it easier." Abraham calmly remarked and leaped towards the iing medieval battleship. As he made hisnding to its deck, a dark tendril immediately shot at him, trying to pierce his heart.


    But he immediately dodged it and gazed at the one who had casted the spell. He could feel that the Magus in front of him was much more different than the recent ones he had taken care of. The defensive spells scattered throughout their body was thicker and much moreplex.


    It would be difficult to prate, even with his indomitable strength.


    Not only that, he also has to worry about what offensive spells this bastard may have in store inside their grimoire. High-ranking Magus tend to be problematic, ording to the words of his lover. They have trump cards that they would use if death was in their doorsteps.


    "Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd of the United Navy... I have heard a lot about your epics in the sea and against the Colonial Dominion of Terra. You are a heretic, a disgrace of humanity, the ck horse." Archmagus Gunther began speaking with an arrogant and archaic voice.


    "Along with the Dragon of Liberation, Lace, you two have been a bane in the ns of the Sovereign. You two shall meet your execution, or perhaps only you. After all..." Gunther nced towards the ind of Terra where the meteor descended from the heavens.


    "The Dragon of Liberation has already been executed by the three Apostles of Terra Firma. Quite an honorable fate, it is." The old man smirked at the fleet admiral of the United Navy, who stood in the wooden deck in silence.


    "Interesting... You should be aedian, you have a great talent at mocking yourself." Abraham muttered while coldly gazing at the Archmagus. He cracked his fist and slowly took off his fleet admiral''s coat. "This fight will be personal. I''ll make sure to give you an improper burial."


    At that moment, Abraham disappeared from the spot, never to be seen or felt in the senses of both magical and physical. It was as though he hadn''t existed to begin with, which made the Archmagus of the Magus Tower frown. After all, such technique was troublesome.


    In an instant, the middle-aged man appeared beside him with a knuckle already beside his face. The eyes of the Archmagus slowly turned towards the fist that was about to hit his face. However, before a strike could be made, a spark gleamed and a barrier was immediately casted in-between.


    "Impressive, indeed. Your physique goes beyond the limits of humanity. And to think you are a manaless human." Gunther remarked and conjured a hellfire, which was a me that could never be extinguish once contacted.


    Abraham furrowed his eyebrows and dodged the hellfire. It spewed out, burning the nearby crewmen who were unfortunately burned into crisped. Their bodies quickly became ashes, but even then, the hellfire kept burning.


    He wasn''t foolish to think himself as invulnerable with his seemingly endless power. After all, Lace had already reminded him of his weakness against magicraft. It would be his fault if he was hit by whatever spell they conjure with mana.


    However, he wasn''t willing to let the old man take the scale of the sh. As he backed off for a moment, Abraham immediately began his counter attack. His fist shed with radiance as he threw a punch forward. The air followed the directions of his arm and surged onward.


    The Archmagus casted several defensive spells, but was thrown overboard from the pressure brought about by the surging winds. Everything behind the old man was sted into chunks, prompting the medieval battleship to start sinking into the rough waters.


    ''This isn''t done yet.'' He thought as he gazed towards the direction where the Archmagus was thrown. A couple of secondster, Gunther emerged once again, now flying in the air with his grimoire ruffling through several pages.


    Abraham narrowed his gaze as a flying Magus was a troublesome opponent. But it was an interesting one, which made his heart somehow pound in excitement. "An old man like you should be down to earth. How about you return whence youe from?"


    "The path of magicraft means the division of oneself to the mortal world. There''s no need for us to be down to earth. After all, we, unlike you manaless humans. We have the opportunity to be beyond what we are." Gunther uttered, giving the fleet admiral a piercing gaze.


    "I can see why you would think that. After all, magicraft is quite an intriguing study of manipting reality. But there is also another study that goes beyond magic. And that is science. Instead of manipting, we use reality for our gains." Abraham smirked, gazing at the Archmagus levitating in front of him.


    "Unfortunately, you wouldn''t be there to see a world enamored by it." He immediately disappeared from the spot and emerged behind the levitating Archmagus. A barrier quickly formed behind the old man, but the one behind him was but a mere apparition.


    Gunther''s instincts red up, his senses screamed at him as he looked around with his cautious and scrutinizing eyes. Out of nowhere, a fist emerged in thin air and plunged onto his face. All of his barriers were for naught as they became broken like shards of mirror.


    The Archmagus was thrown back and crashed into a nearby battleship after getting punched in the face. Abrahamnded on the sinking medieval battleship with a smile on his face. After all, in the ind of Terra was the transformed form of his lover, the Dragon of Liberation.


    "It seems that your three Apostles aren''t muchpared to be problem dragon." He turned his arms, stretching them while feeling the pop in his joins. Since his lover had be serious, it was also time for him to do the same.


    "I''ll give you a good taste of what I can really do." Abraham muttered as the end of his fist gleamed with unparalleled radiance. A shriek echoed throughout the heavens and the earth as a tinge of ck lightning arcs escaped his fist.


    He gazed towards the medieval battleship where the Archmagus crashed and threw his greatest punch at it. A distorted sound followed along the shriek as the brilliance of his fist got brighter than ever before.


    Along his glowing fist was the weight of an entire ind, and all of it was pointed towards a peculiar direction in front of him. With this in mind, after throwing a punch, everything followed. Whether it''d be the battleships, the winds, the very sea, and the heavens above.


    It only took one punch.


    *BOOM!!!!!!!*

 Chapter 201: | 201 | Final Battle Part 14

    In the western shores of the ind of Terra, the surging tides and vicious waves became still. The air calmed down, and silence permeated through the heavens and the seas below it. With just a single moment, and a single punch, the world listened to the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    A golden light shed over Abraham''s face. It gleamed with unparalleled radiance, and it originated from none other than the jaw of the gargantuan serpentine dragon. In a breadth of a second, a beamed of light illuminated with the luster rivalling a thousand suns soon descended to the earth.


    However, despite the spectacr sight before him, the fleet admiral maintained his gaze towards the sinking battleships of the fleet of Terra. His attention was entirely concentrated at a lone and cloaked figure with injuries scattered throughout their body.


    The edges of his lips rose as he remarked with a smirk stered on his face. "It looks like you survive. Impressive, to say the least." The words that escaped his mouth weren''t lies. He was thoroughly impress from the survival of the Archmagus.


    After all, the punch he had thrown towards the old man wasn''t to be underestimated. It could probably destroy a mountain if he had been onnd. Since the Archmagus managed to survive the attack even though he had sustained grievous injuries, it was something to be slightly astonish.


    "However, would you like to continue fighting, Magus? I''m sure you''re already aware. Your so-called Apostles have lost against my lover. The Colonial Dominion stand no chances, even your Sovereign is already aware of it."


    "So, let me ask again, as the representative of the Magus Tower, would you keep fighting to the death?" Abraham questioned Gunther with an arrogant smile on his face. The reason why he was asking for their surrender was fairly simple.


    It would be easier for the United Navy.


    If the Colonial Dominion and the Magus Tower fought to the death against the United Navy, while Abraham was confident that his organization would win in the end, they would probably sustain casualties. Resources would also be consumed, along with precious time wasted.


    "Surrender is a dishonor that us, Magus, would rather entertain death than be inscribed with it." Gunther replied with a determined expression. He was trying hard to cast a regeneration spell, but his body was too battered. It would take weeks for him topletely recover.


    And he didn''t have weeks to wait with the enemy before him.


    Not only that, the three Apostles of Terra Firma had also lost. The Dragon of Liberation would be setting her sights to the capital city of the Colonial Dominion and the Magus Tower situated inside of it. There was no doubt, in front of her supreme power, no Magus in the ind stands a chance.


    They would be massacred like the ones before them.


    However, Gunther was hesitant in even thinking about surrendering. It would stain his honor as an Archmagus and make him aughing stock. History would look at him as a coward who caved in and surrendered the lives under his authority to his enemies.


    "Honor doesn''t matter in the face of death, Magus. No matter what you do, your fate remains the same. You will lose against the United Navy, against the Dragon of Liberation, and against me. It is simply your destiny to be defeated. Why not ept it and continue to live?"


    "You are a Magus, after all, does honor really matter much in the pursuit of magicraft? I thought you didn''t care about the opinion of those lower than you? Why would you care about how others think of you the moment you surrender?" Abraham uttered with calm.


    Each of his words echoed throughout the ears of the Archmagus. It made sense. If he was arrogant as he says, why would he care about the so-called honor? The more Gunther thought about it, the more he became scared for his life.


    Like the others before him, he didn''t want to die. Why should he die while those in Europa live? The Sovereign had already abandoned the Colonial Dominion of Terra. There was no used in fighting for an abandoned territory. They would be nameless warriors in the annals of history.


    Gunther felt his throat tightened as he swallowed his saliva. Pain resounded throughout his body, reminding him of the state he was in. He would die if he didn''t give up, so the Archmagus could only grit his teeth.


    He then noticed the gaze of the Magus under him. Their eyes brimmed with hope, and he knew that they wanted to surrender. He didn''t know if he should be angry by their cowardice, or be happy that they had the same thoughts as him.


    "I... I surrender to the United Navy and the Dragon of Liberation." After a short while, Gunthernded on a floating raft of wood and uttered his surrender. It was heard by every Magus, who were still alive. His words were a sign of confirmation, so with that, they knelt to the ground and surrendered.


    The surrender was like an unending tide as the crew of the medieval battleships followed suit, giving away their weapons and kneeling onto the ground. With that, the naval warfare in the western shores of the ind of Terra had reached its conclusion.


    The shockwave brought about by the beam of golden radiance that escaped the jaw of the gargantuan serpentine dragon then reached them. Its deafening roar resounded, some even covered their ears from how loud it was.


    *BOOM!!!!!*


    "So, this is the infamous breath of Lace, huh?" Abraham smirked, looking at the golden light emanating from the ind of Terra. It was as though the second sun had risen from the very ind itself. A quite marvelous sight indeed.


    The fleet admiral turned his attention to the surrendering Archmagus and quickly took out his radio. "Charlotte, take out the recent creation of the R&D Department." He ordered his vice admiral. After all, with arge quantity of Magus in front of him, there was only one thing he could do.


    *Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. Where shall I meet you?* In the other side of the radio, Charlotte asked with a smile stered on her face. The supposed-death of the problem dragon had also brought her some unwanted and unexpected troubles.


    She hadn''t noticed herselfmandeering the UNS Trinity of Sce to st open dozens of medieval battleships near them.


    "The bow should be a good location. I''m bing proficient in terms of mynding in that area of Sce." Abraham responded with a grin as he thought about the ces where he would make hisnding. There would always be some problems in the floor afterward.


    The bow was the only part of the capital ship where he couldnd with remarkable ease.


    *Understood, Fleet Admiral.* With that, themunication between the two ended. Abraham returned his radio to his pocket and gazed at the bow of the nearby UNS Trinity of Sce. Without any hesitation or dy, Abraham leaped towards it and flew through the air.


    Jumping from ship to ship was bing a great talent of his.


    It didn''t take long for him to arrive in the bow of the capital battleship. There, Vice Admiral Charlotte stood with shackles, neck braces, and handcuffs. All of these were especially made to imprison a Magus.


    The metal of the following equipment were forged from mana-dispersing mana that the R&D Department had recently discovered, Adamantium. It was something that they had tested with Lace. Although it broke under her ocean-like mana, it should be capable in handling the Magi.


    "Thank you for getting this out, Charlotte. I''m d that we brought this with us. It would make things easier when handling this peculiar Magus." Abraham smiled at Charlotte, who simply nodded and lightly bowed. "I''m d to be of help, Fleet Admiral."


    "I believe you should take your leave, we don''t want our prisoners to continue waiting, right?" Charlotte smirked, cing her hands on her promising child-bearing hips. Though, Abraham quickly took himself out of such ridiculous thoughts and nodded in agreement.


    "I''ll have to go. After all, I believe he is the one leading the Magus Tower. I wouldn''t want him teleporting away." Abraham couldn''t help but chuckle as he leaped away from the bow of the capital battleship.


    Gunther maintained his position and the fleet admiral quickly arrived beside him. In his hands were shackles, a handcuff, and a neck brace. Bing a prisoner was something he never thought he would be, but it was the fate of the loser.


    As Abraham stood in front of him, he calmly asked the Archmagus. "I thought you would run away after being given a chance. After all, you Magus are quite skilled in teleporting away once your situation bes too much for you to handle."


    The Archmagus furrowed his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes before replying to the fleet admiral. "You have done something to the surrounding space, freezing the area so that no spatial disturbance could be done into it." He wasn''t dumb, and quickly understood why he couldn''t teleport.


    "I guess you''re a smart one. Perhaps, that''s the reason why you ept your surrender. At any rate, I''ll have you wear these things for the situation to move on." Abraham threw the handcuff and neck brace to the old man.


    Gunther merely clicked his tongue, but didn''t hesitate to wear it. After wearing the neck brace and the handcuff, he immediately realized that the United Navy had unlocked the ability to imprison Magus. Quite a dangerous capability to have, especially for an organization of manaless humans.


    "Hey, don''t look at me like that. At the very least you''re alive, unlike the three of your colleagues." Abraham waved his hands, mentioning the three Apostles skewered by Lace. It made the Archmagus wonder if the man before him was a devil disguising as a human.

 Chapter 202: | 202 | Final Battle Conclusion

    Following the surrender of the Archmagus in the western shores of the ind of Terra, the remaining Magus in the central battlefront soon surrendered under the ground forces of the United Army and its allies, along with the Dragon of Liberation, Lace.


    The final war between the Colonial Dominion of Terra and the United Navy subsequently ended four hours after the invasion of the main ind began. The capital city of Terra was seized by the forces of the United Army, capturing high-ranking officials, such as the Viceroy of the Colonial Dominion.


    It was a devastating battle for the colonial military and the Magus Tower, though the United Navy and its forces have also met casualties that rendered the battle more or less not so good in the eyes of the highest authorities.


    May it not happen ever again.


    ...


    Six hours have passed and the United Navy hadpletely upied the ind of Terra, near the seized grand port of the capital city, several frigates found themselves anchored along with Amphibious Transports scattered all about.


    The sound of propellers resounded throughout the skies as Ospreys transferred personnel from one location onto the other. The captured enemies were gathered into one location, though the Magus were separated into a more secure prison camp.


    At the moment, the leaders of the defeated Colonial Dominion and the authorities of the United Navy faced each other in the governance castle of the capital city. After all, it was about time to sign the treaties confirming the defeat of Terra.


    "It seems that we meet again, Archmagus." Sitting on the other side of the rectangr luxurious table was Abraham with clothed in his fleet admiral uniform along with Lieutenant Colonel Lace and Vice Admiral Charlotte with their respective uniforms.


    There was also Rear-Admiral George of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, considered as amongst the high-ranking officers of the United Navy.


    Archmagus Gunther had a frown stered on his face while his arms and neck were shackled by some anti-magic handcuffs and neck brace. His magic was practically ineffective, and it seems these things were forged in reinforced metal. They were quite hard to break physically.


    "You''re enjoying your victory, Fleet Admiral of the United Navy." Gunther narrowed his gaze, ring at Abraham with a scrutinizing expression. It was difficult to believe that the middle-aged man before him disyed inhuman feats with no assistance of magicraft.


    It makes him wonder whether or not the fleet admiral had sold his soul to some ancient fallen god.


    "If you aren''t enjoying your victory, is it even a victory?" Abraham responded with a smile as Mercedes entered the room, acting as his secretary. She walked through with a catering cart, giving each people around the table a teacup of their own.


    Afterward, Mercedes filled their teacup and soon returned to the side of the fleet admiral.


    "What is the meaning of this?" The Viceroy of the Colonial Dominion questioned with anger in his eyes. He had lost his territory and the victors were dragging their feet all over his face. This was the greatest humiliation he had even gone through in his life.


    "You aren''t here as prisoners nor are you here as negotiators. Instead, your job is simple. You must acknowledge the defeat of the Colonial Dominion and dissolve your government." Abraham''s eyes became cold as Mercedes calmly gave him a contract.


    The fleet admiral held the contract and ced it onto the table for the Viceroy and Archmagus to see. In the contract paper were the following, the Colonial Dominion of Terra and its representative government must acknowledge their defeat in their conflict against the United Navy.


    They must give up their territories in the sea region.


    Their poption will be deported back to the continent of Europa.


    And all of their assets will belong to the United Navy, from the bottom to the top.


    The contract required the signatures of the two authorities in the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Practically ensuring that the defeat was acknowledged by the ones leading the colony. It would legitimize the rule of the United Navy over the sea region, and would make it easier for them to contact the outside world.


    As the Viceroy read through the words written in the contract paper, he immediately became appalled, unable to believe the gall of these bastards in front of him. "How dare you dishonor the-" He couldn''t continue as Abraham and Lace''s cold gaze were directed at him.


    These two were the people that could easily squash him like an insect. The contract before them was simply a way for them to legitimize the authority over the sea region. It was a proof of their sovereignty.


    However, there was no need for them to give proof. After all, they were already the destined ruler of the sea region of Terra. No one in this sea would be able to resist their governance. So, even without the contract, they would continue to govern it.


    With this in mind, the Viceroy understood that it was better to shut his mouth. Getting out of an upation alive was already a blessing. Even if he returned to the maind inplete humiliation, at the very least, he was still alive.


    "Apologies for my rugged behavior." The Viceroy then cough and straightened his back. Abraham''s smile returned on his face while the edges of Lace''s lips supple lips rose. Nothing could beat a silent threat during political talks.


    "At any rate, we still need ship and supplies if you wish to deport us to the maind. You can''t take all of the assets." He gave a reasonable opposition against what was written on the contract.


    Abraham thought about it and found his words sensible. They weren''t nning to let the citizens, guards, and Magus to take a ride in their warships. So, the remains of the Colonial Dominion would need their own ships and supplies to return to their homnd.


    "That makes sense. We will record the poption deported, so that we can urately measure the needed ships and supplies to handle them. There''s no need for you to worry about that." Abraham epted and gave a good response.


    Although the Viceroy wanted to negotiate more, a safe way home was already enough for him. So, he nced at the Archmagus, wanting his confirmation in signing the contract.


    Noticing the gaze of the Viceroy, Gunther couldn''t help but slightly chuckle in the inside. His opinion on the matter was worthless. He was already nning to sign the contract since the beginning. After all, there was no resisting against them.


    The Dragon of Liberation sat before him, uninjured despite being surrounded by the three Apostles of Terra Firma. She was unharmed by their sh in the central ins and executed all of them with a beam of radiance. There was no doubt that he stood no chance.


    "I''ll sign this treaty of yours." The Archmagus sighed as Mercedes gave the two of them pens to sign the contract paper. The proof of their defeat was on their arms reach. And they were willfully writing their acknowledgement in it.


    It made him wonder if he had be a coward as he grew old. If it was the young him decades ago, he would have been floating in the northern sea as a corpse.


    The Viceroy gave his signature onto the paper while the Archmagus did the same. Afterward, Abraham followed up with his own signature, concluding their discussion in the table.


    Mercedes took the contract paper and stood it in a briefcase. It was a good acknowledgement of their existence in the sea region of Terra, legitimizing their rule. So, its importance was paramount.


    Abraham gazed at the two who sat in silence. After a short moment of staring at them, his lover beside him finally spoke. "Your Sovereign has abandoned you." It was these words that shook the Viceroy and the Archmagus.


    "Terra Firma has casted you aside like toys she didn''t want to y anymore." Lace continued, agitating the two. "Are you mocking us, Dragoness?" The Viceroy questioned with a frown.


    "No, I am not." Lace shook her head and rified. "I want to know why she would abandon you. The sea region of Terra sits between the calmest part of the Ferus Sea and the continent of Europa. It should be the gate that maintains Europa''s influence."


    "Why would she abandon it?"


    Abraham raised his eyebrows, understanding what Lace''s question meant. The Viceroy also found himself confused, while the Archmagus merely squinted his eyes as if in thought. Abraham quickly noticed his reaction and smirked at Gunther. "It looks like you have an idea."


    Gunther sighed and exined his thoughts. After all, he was also amongst the ones casted aside.


    "The Magus Tower of Europa has been experimenting in constant spatial transmission. If they made a breakthrough in that magic-technology, then there wouldn''t be a need for Terra to remain as the gate of humanity into the new world."


    "So, a portal, huh?" Abraham immediately acknowledged what the Archmagus was trying to say. Logistics would say that supplies imported and exported would have to go through a sea route. However, if such supplies could be teleported constantly into their destination.


    There would be no need to maintain or be attentive of such sea routes.


    "It seems that we had a good conversation. While I''d like to continue our discussion, I doubt the two of you would desire to stay in the territory of your enemy, right?" Abraham gave the two an innocent smile. The Viceroy merely clicked his tongue while the Archmagus looked away with an uncaring gaze.

 Chapter 203: | 203 | Victory over the Sea Region

    The following day after the meeting between the highest authorities of the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy. The deportation of colonial-military personnel along with colonial citizens began at dawn. Dozens of disarmed battleships sailed out of port with the guidance of the UN Warships.


    The process was smooth as both sides were not willing to restart the conflict that had recently happen. After all, it was merely a day after the battle. The peace was something none of them had ever felt since the war was dered between the two factions.


    Subsequently, the Magus of the Magus Tower were deported a week after the first deportation of the colonial poption. They were preupied with dozens of tests, with some talented War Masters and Magus unknowingly seized by the intelligence bureau of the United Navy.


    After all, it was a rare opportunity to have a live magicraft-user. The intelligence bureau of the United Navy simply couldn''t abandon the idea of taking some interesting specimens of the Magus Tower. Naturally, their actions were authorized by the high-authority.


    Mainly, the Fleet Admiral of the United Navy himself.


    He couldn''t deny that he wasn''t an opportunist individual. Having a live War Master and Magus could aid them in their pursuit of magic-technology. Perhaps, they might be given unique perspectives that only those with mana can understand.


    Heck, even Abraham thought of capturing the Archmagus for himself. But after a short while of thinking, he threw the idea at the back of his mind. It was simply too difficult without attracting too much attention. The Archmagus was a leading magi of the Magus Tower.


    His disappearance would cause some disruption, halting the deportation efforts of the United Navy.


    At any rate, Abraham sat in the luxurious office of the Viceroy, reading through the books presumed to havee from the continent of Europa. It was the first he had read a book about that continent, and its description was astounding, to say the least.


    "The continent of Europa is akin to a fantasy world of magic with kingdoms and empires ruling it. The Magus Tower stands as the primary and major organization that has control over the continent through gifting talented Magus to be part of the noble families if said kingdoms and empires."


    "A good strategy that would ensure their tight connection to every country without the need of personally conquering it. Even their Sovereigns have something akin to a religion, ensuring the foundation of their dominion bes wide and clear."


    Abraham muttered with a smile, impressed by the inner workings of the continent of Europa. He was interested in visiting it for himself. After all, it was the supposed-homnd of humanity. While he stand as their adversary, he was still a human, a curious one at that.


    However, before he could keep thinking about the book he had read, someone began knocking on the door of the office. He raised his eyebrows and uttered. "Come in," Following his words, the door opened, revealing Mercedes with a fairly calm expression.


    "Fleet Admiral, the deportation of the colonial poption has beenpleted. We have sent each and everyone of them in route to the continent of Europa." Mercedes reported the status of the deportation to Abraham.


    It had beenpleted with remarkable ease. They had now gained authority over the sea region of Terra, making them the highest power in it. Peaceful months should be following after the end of the war.


    "I see... Thank you for reporting the sess of our deportation efforts, Mercedes. With the remains of the Colonial Dominion of Terra gone, the sea region of Terra can be molded into our whims. The United Navy will create a nation of democracy, freedom, and equality."


    Abraham stated with a smile stered on his face. He had held on the creation of a nation, maintaining the stance of the United Navy as an organization. Even while their allies created countries of their own, he kept bounding the UN as a naval organization.


    But with the Colonial Dominion of Terra out of the picture. It was time to established a nation with the ideals of the United Navy permeated throughout thend, the skies, and the seas.


    "The creation of a nation..." Mercedes muttered to herself. She had already expected the following ns of the United Navy after their victory over the Colonial Dominion of Terra. The establishment of a creation was something they had been ready for.


    They simply awaited for the best time to create one.


    "I will assure the sess of our establishment, Fleet Admiral." Mercedes straightened her back and saluted. The creation of a nation under the fleet admiral was something she would like to see. After all, Abraham bing a ruler of some sort was as natural as it gets.


    "We will assure the establishment, Mercedes." Out of nowhere, a soft voice escaped from behind the silver wolf lycanthrope. Mercedes nced back and saw her lieutenant colonel, Lace. She saluted all the same as before, while the dragoness merely chuckled.


    "There''s no need to keep a heavy burden alone. We must share it with our peers as the establishment of a nation is far from a simple task. While we may be ready, challenges will still emerge along this path of ours." Lace expressed as she leaned onto Abraham''s table.


    "Understood, Lady Lace. But have you thought about the voices of our allies if we established a nation epassing the sea region of Terra?" Mercedes asked, wanting to know what n they may have against the opposition of their allies.


    "The State of Minos would be willing to join us, that much is confirm. Their economy, military, and governance is directly tied to the United Navy. Even if they maintain independence, they aren''t that far from a vassal state under us."


    "The archipgo and its Liberation Front would be a bitplicated. I am confident about their highest-ranking members joining us, but the same couldn''t be said to other of their members. Some might outright reject, promptly bursting the Liberation Front from the inside."


    "Finally, the colony of Austerus in the south would be even more troublesome to implicate as a vassal. Our war against their rebellion had ravaged their economy, military, and their governance. Pockets of rebel groups are scattered throughout the Austerus."


    Abraham exined their rtionship with their allies and who might be willing to join the establishment of a nation. The State of Minos was obviously joining, but the south and the archipgo would take some time to be affiliated under the United Navy.


    "Lady Lace did leave massive craters in the north of Austerus. Though, I heard about oil being abundant in the central region of the ind. Ourmanding officers seems interested about it." Mercedes uttered with a tone of curiosity.


    "Oil, huh? Well, I understand their interest over Austerus. The more oil supplies we have, the safer we would be in the future. After all, it is the fuel of the war machines that protects us from this world." The edges of Abraham''s lips rose.


    He thought of leaving the ind of Austerus alone, but with the introduction of a massive deposit of oil. It was something that the United Navy simply couldn''t ignore. Though, before starting an operation in the south, he''d rather focus in development first.


    "Well, then... I shall take my leave, Fleet Admiral and Lady Lace." Mercedes lightly bowed before leaving the luxurious office, introducing silence along the way. Lace continued leaning on his table while Abraham raised his eyebrows, wondering what his lover desired from him.


    Silence continued to permeate in the air as Lace finally spoke to him. "Abraham, I worked hard fighting off three of the Apostles under Terra Firma. What do you think should be my reward for the hard work I have gotten through?"


    She tilted her head with a sly smile stered on her face. Abraham''s eyes narrowed, understanding what his lover meant. However, before he could act upon it, another knock resounded from the door, interrupting the two of them.


    "You may enter," Abraham answered the knock and sighed. The doors quickly opened, revealing the vice admiral of the United Navy, Charlotte. Her back straight, her posture poised. She had an air of elegance and maturity that makes her somewhat unique to the rest.


    "I''m here to report the status of our forces, Fleet Admiral." Charlotte narrowed her gaze at the problem dragon, but immediately reported to Abraham. The middle-aged man merely nodded, swallowing what he had lost from the unexpected interruption.


    On the other hand, Lace merely chuckled and ced her pale fingers over her lips, seductively smiling and tempting the fleet admiral. She also gazed at the stone-faceddy with a grin as ideas began brewing inside her mind.


    Charlotte calmly reported the status of the United Navy to the fleet admiral. The casualties they have received from the Colonial Dominion of Terra were thergest as it numbered over a hundred personnel. The report practically poured cold water of Abraham''s recent satisfaction of their victory.


    As she continued counting the damages of their fleet, vehicles, and personnel. Abraham finally understood that victories didn''t always give good news. He would have to give them a proper burial in the cemetery of heroes back to the Port of Dawn.


    "We have gathered all the bodies and identified them. Over a hundredes from the United Army and United Navy, while over dozens originates from our allies. Most casualties emerged from the unexpected assault of Magus and the naval fleetbat in the western shores."


    Charlotte further rified, prompting Abraham and Lace to furrow their eyebrows. Their recent desires had been carefully consumed by the results of their war against the United Navy.

 Chapter 204: | 204 | Liberation Mission Rewards

    As Lace and Charlotte left Abraham alone in the Viceroy''s luxurious office, silence began to permeate in the air. He remained frozen, with an aloof expression stered on his face. Thoughts never to be known surged through his head, tackling the information he had gotten from his vice admiral.


    ''Casualties in war is natural.'' After a short while, he sighed to himself, feeling mentally exhausted. ''However, death in the battlefield shouldn''t be considered as the ordinary. Otherwise, the lives of my men would be mere numbers.'' He continued his line of thought.


    The primary thing he should focus was to try lowering the casualties of his subordinates during wartime. The only way to do so was to invest in magicraft and technology. With these two, it wouldn''t take long before his very men bes immortalized.


    Though, this was for the far future. Increasing their medical technology would provide ample amount of security towards the lives of his personnel. Yet, Abraham soon shook his head as he realized that he was tackling too many things all at once.


    It would be too much for him and the R&D Department. Instead, he should focus the general advancement of the United Navy and tasked the enhancement of medical technology along with it.


    "That''s a fairly good idea." Abraham muttered under his breath, the edges of his lips slowly rising. Calm slowly returning to his mind and heart, as the path forward became clearer than ever before. With a list of goal in mind, he would be delegated topleting them in an orderly manner.


    The growth of the United Navy and the establishment of a nation in the following peaceful months was the path to the future. But as he had said before, it wouldn''t be a smooth one. There would be resistance from the inside and the outside.


    However, before he could continue to have his thoughts preupied with the ways of growing the United Navy along with the creation of a nation under his authority, a familiar mechanical bell rang inside his mind. It was reminder, and it was his hope.


    Abraham was too distracted by his objectives, forgetting his most vital weapon against the fantasy world before him. The Naval Gacha System.


    *Ding!*


    ¡ñ| Final Battle(Liberation Sub-Mission) |


    ?| Final Battle Completion Requirements(Disbandment of the Colonial Dominion of Terra''s Government) |


    ?| Government of the Colonial Dominion Disbanded!(Calcting Rewards¡­) |


    ?| Sub-Mission Status(Completed) |


    Several notification windows materialized before his eyes along with the monotone voice of System resounded in his ears. A delighted smile formed on his face as he hadn''t been satisfied for quite some time. A feeling better than winning a battle was getting the rewards after it.


    "Thest sub-mission is finallyplete." Abraham mumbled to himself as the final battle was the concluding sub-mission of the Naval Task: Liberation. With itspletiones the rewards of the final sub-mission, along with thepletion of the Naval Task.


    | Congrattions, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd! You havepleted a Sub-Mission dered by the Naval Gacha System Apparatus, Systema! |


    | Rewards will be given promptly in 3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    | You have obtained 10,000 Naval Points(Naval Action Rewards) |


    The rewards of the sub-mission froze the thoughts of the fleet admiral. He expected quite a hefty reward, but 10,000 Naval Points was more than what he had expected. Such amount would be enough for a second personal-power.


    Though, before the thought of getting one intruded deeply in his mind, Abraham shook his head and threw it at the back of his thoughts. The reason was fairly simple. Superhuman was already enough for him. It gave him the chance to fight back or run away from his opponents.


    Instead of investing too deeply into his powers, it would be better to invest towards the growth of the United Navy. With 10,000 Naval Points, the establishment of a nation wouldn''t be too far in the future.


    "The amount of warships or the sea-based assets I can get from 10,000 is already dumbfounding." Abraham muttered to himself, as the wonders of expanding his fleet or increasing his sea-based assets echoed inside his mind.


    But, this wasn''t even the end of it.


    *Ding!*


    | Liberation Mission has been earnestly followed through thepletion of its Sub-Missions. Congrattions, you havepleted the Second Mission of the Naval Gacha System Apparatus, Systema! |


    | Liberation Mission Status(Completed) |


    Abraham was bombarded with another round of notification from Systema. It was what he awaited afterpleting the concluding sub-mission, Final War. A smile creeped further into his face as he epted the chiming of mechanical bells with a mental open-arms.


    To the middle-aged man, it was nothing more but the sound of his rewards.


    | Rewards will be given promptly in 3¡­2¡­1¡­ |


    He took a deep breath as excitement bottled up inside his mind and heart. He gazed at the digital notification which was counting down to zero. A bit of sweat dripped from his forehead, signifying his inner anxiousness of what was toe.


    Then, it finally materialized.


    | You have obtained 25,000 Naval Points(Mission Completion Reward), Instation-0 Citadel, Artificial-Inds(Unlocked), and the Seventh Fleet(Close-Approximate) |


    Abraham read through his rewards and it was even more staggering than beforehand. He rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing. But it remained in his perception unchanging afterward. What was before him was nothing more but the truth.


    "25,000 Naval Points..." In total, he received 35,000 Naval Points in a single day. Though, thinking about it for a short moment, the Liberation Missionsted several months, almost reaching an entire year. It was only his second mission after transmigrating into this fantasy world.


    There was also Instation-0, which he found confusing. It''s name was Citadel, and he wondered what its capabilities were as a Sea-Based Asset. Since it was an instation below the first one, it might be more capable than the Construction Yard Vulcan and the Port of Dawnbined.


    Not only that, Artificial-Inds had been unlocked. He didn''t know what their description was. But, it might be rted to increasing his poption without touching the local-ones. It would be a piece of good news if this theory was correct. It would solve the overarching problem of poption.


    However, he would have to investigate deeper. Obviously, it wouldn''t be free and he would have to pay a price to deploy an Artificial-Ind in the middle of the sea.


    "I''ll think about itter." Abraham muttered to himself, gazing at the final reward of the mission. It was most greatest reward he had ever gotten from the Naval Gacha System. He wondered if he had been blessed, or was the system beyond satisfied with how he hadpleted the mission?


    In any case, the final reward was none other than the Seventh Fleet. The one and only, though a close-approximate.


    Abraham wasn''t ignorant of the biggest forward fleet of the United States of America. The Seventh Fleet was part of the Pacific Fleet,prising of 50 to 70 ships. In these over half a hundred warships were destroyers, cruisers, submarines, and finally, aircraft carriers.


    The emergence of the seventh fleet practically solidified the creation of a country under the authority of the United Navy.


    "Damn." Such was the only word that escaped Abraham''s lips. He didn''t even know what to feel as the rewards the system had given him were beyond his ability to handle. A single one would have been enough to make him delighted for weeks. Now that he was given four extreme rewards, he was confused as to how to feel.


    Though, before he could keep thinking about what he should feel from the rewards he had received. A mechanical bell rang inside his mind along with the monotone voice of his precious partner, Systema.


    *Ding!*


    | Due to the fairly sizeable rewards of the second mission, the Naval Gacha System has withhold the emergence of following rewards. Does the Fleet Admiral desire to utilize the rewards of the Liberation Mission? |


    Fortunately, the rewards of the system wasn''t immediately applied. He wouldn''t have to handle the appearance of Instation-0 or the summoning of the seventh fleet.


    Abraham sighed in relief and wiped the sweat over his forehead. To think he would be relieved from not handling too much resources for the United Navy. Well, his worry was understandable. After all, he was only one. No matter how strong, or smart he had be.


    Overworking would be troublesome to handle.


    ''Let''s handle it one by one.'' He quietly thought to himself and gazed forward into the digital screen of Systema. "Systema, can I utilize two rewards at a time?" He wanted to know if the application of two rewards while withholding the two was possible for the system.


    | The Fleet Admiral''s suggestion is within the capabilities of the Naval Gacha System. What rewards does the Fleet Admiral wish to withhold forter? |


    Systema questioned with her monotone voice. She wanted to know the rewards that Fleet Admiral didn''t want to immediately utilize. Abraham hesitated for a second, but soon answered. "I want to ept all of my Naval Points and Instation-0 Citadel."


    "Please withhold the Artificial-Inds and the Seventh Fleet."


    | Understood, Fleet Admiral. Systema dly epts. |


    | ... |


    Abraham merely waited for a few seconds as following digital notifications soon materialized before him. He gazed at them with utmost concentrated, but ended up smiling after reading it.


    | All 35,000 Points have been deposited to the Fleet Admiral and Instation-0 Citadel has been summoned. Location of Instation-0 has been sent to the servers of the Port of Dawn and the Construction Yard Vulcan. |


    | Happy summoning, Fleet Admiral. |

 Chapter 205: | 205 | Final Battle Aftermath

    In the silent and empty streets of the capital city of Terra where avenues and alleys were thinly veiled in sce. Hermona found herself walking through a dested city consumed by silence, a city that was once her home. With her were her most trusted entourage, Tora and Leonidas.


    The two of them followed from behind, observing their leader as she strolled through the emptiness of what was supposed to be a grand city of the Colonial Dominion.


    What urred, or the battle in the central region had left them tattered and somewhat exhausted. The assault of the Magus Tower brought immense casualties to their warriors almost breaking through their line of defense. Nevertheless, even with immense pressure, they never conceded.


    The Liberation Front stood against the onught of magic along with their allies. As explosions consumed their surroundings, thunderous roars echoed in the background, they kept fighting no matter what. As such, they stood amidst corpses as the victor of a final battle.


    At any rate, the three sauntered through a few avenues, before Hermona stopped moving, turning her gaze towards a peculiar medieval building. A smile of familiarity emerged on her face, attracting the attention of her friends.


    Hermona walked towards the front door of the stone brick building, touching its wooden surface. She felt nostalgia as memories of the past peered through her mind. She nced at her friends and remarked. "This is my home before bing a full-fledged wyvern rider."


    "Even though we mostly spent our time in training facilities down the south of the capital, I was given this home as a reward for seeding in my test to be a wyvern rider. I took care of it with my utmost focus, since it was the only ce I could call home back then."


    "I never thought it would survive the war. To be honest, the capital city standing not in rubble, but destion, was beyond my expectations. Perhaps, my selfish wish of seeing whence I came from, was brought to reality." Hermona took out a key from her pocket.


    Something she had been taking care of since the beginning of their journey towards the ind of Terra and throughout the entire duration of the final battle. She slowly pushed it into the lock of the front door, opening it a secondter.


    A creak echoed as the interior of her home revealed itself to her. It remained unchanged despite the years that had gone through without her care. Although there were some dust, most of her furniture and things remained untouched.


    Hermona nced at Tora and Leonidas with a soothing smile, nodding at them toe with her. Tora and Leonidas gazed at each other, a bit awkward as this would be the first time they enter the home of their leader, who was a woman.


    In their societies, they would have pushed for a marriage as to consolidate their rtionship with one another. But Tora and Leonidas understood the most that Hermona wasn''t the type of woman that should be kept. It was why they decided to follow her.


    The two entered through the wooden front door of Hermona''s home. Each of their steps were soft, as they remained cautious and careful of their surroundings. They didn''t want to idently break the furniture of the leader, and also didn''t want to embarrass themselves.


    "Have a seat in my living room, although I don''t have the interest technology of the United Navy, I have books that you might be able to read on the table." Hermona weed them, realizing that it was also the first time she brought people to her house.


    Leonidas and Tora nodded at the same time, calmly sitting in the chairs of the living room. There was a tiny table with a couple of books in front of them. Some of such books were for children, making the two wonder when Hermona left the safety of her home.


    "Hermona, when did you leave the capital and get deployed out of Terra?" Leonidas calmly asked, picking up the children''s book and opening it carefully with his wed fingers. He read through the clumsy writings, following the letters disyed on the book.


    Hearing his unexpected question, Hermona who was cleaning the kitchen raised her eyebrows and thought about it for a moment. It has been a while since someone asked her about the deployment that got her out of Terra.


    It took some time for her to remember it, whichsted no longer than a few seconds.


    "I was 10 when I got deployed out of the capital city. I remembered my first deployment to be in the ind of Servusarator when I trained with others and also learned practical experience through missions. Many died during that training, I was lucky to make it out alive."


    "But it was mostly because of someone helping me throughout the years." A fond memory of the past resurfaced, making Hermona smiled as she cleaned the pots in the kitchen and lit up the chamber stove.


    "Someone? Is this one important to you?" Tora became curious of Hermona mentioning someone rted to her during her time with the Colonial Dominion of Terra. She rarely uttered a word of any rtions with people. There were no families, friends, or loved ones.


    Such was what they previously thought. Obviously, after hearing what Hermona had just said. They were wrong about their assumptions.


    "Important, yes. He helped me survive through tough times and became a part of the reason why I wanted to get stronger. He never told me his name, but I thought of him as an older sibling. So, I called him, old brother. When we were deployed out of Servusarator, we were separated."


    "Now that I wonder about it myself, is he even alive with the war between us and the Colonial Dominion?" The two raised their eyebrows after hearing the question of Hermona.


    "Will he be disappointed with me abandoning my post and deserting to the side of what he would consider the enemy? Though, it doesn''t matter. I picked the path that I thought was right. No amount of disappointments would make me regret it." Hermona uttered in a determined voice.


    A proud smile emerged on the faces of Tora and Leonidas. They were delighted towards their leader. Her path, decision, and viewpoint was simple, easy to understand. There was no hidden intent of revenge, power, or fear. Everything was but her sticking to the choices she had chosen.


    "I see... I also don''t regret joining the Liberation Front with you as its leader. If I were to go to the past again, I would have done the same no matter what." Leonidas muttered under his breath, making Hermona chuckle in the kitchen. "I didn''t expect Sir Leonidas to be so philosophical."


    "Hahaha~ Your speaking to the Leon who has over dozens of wives." Leonidas smirked and disyed his pure muscles, moving and twitching with them through meremand.


    "Huh? You don''t even have rivals in your tribe. How could you consider yourself as the peak of a man?" Tora stood up, revealing his physique brimming with strength. "I have fought other men to conquer women in by tribe."


    "Don''t underestimate a Tigris'' determination for love!" Out of nowhere, Tora posed in a Greek-like stature. Leonidas furrowed his eyebrows and red at Tora for insulting his manliness. "How dare you Tigris humiliate me."


    "Don''t be so arrogant, Leon." Tora red back, fearless against the ferocious gaze of Leonidas.


    Hermona observed the two of them and wryly smiled. She shook her head at their incredulous exchange. She returned her attention back to the chamber stove and began cooking for an after battle meal.


    After all, the battle through the beaches and the central region must have chewed through what was in their stomach.


    ''The two of them are quite big eaters. I need to cook a lot, though does the food supply I have enough for the two of them?'' She tilted her head and questioned through her thoughts. The ingredients and meat she had brought with her were merely enough for her.


    She wasn''t much of a big eater, so she only brought an enough supply that wouldst her a couple of days. But with the two around, what she got wouldn''tst in a single meal.


    "Well, one can only hope." She mumbled to herself and continued cooking in the kitchen.


    ...


    Somewhere in the mountainous expanse of the ind of Terra''s eastern side, a lone wyvern rider sat alone in a cliff, gazing onto the lines of the boundless horizon. It had been quite some time since he had lost his unit against the metallic onught of the United Navy.


    Their bombardment took out most of the wyvern riders almost instantly. He was merely fortunate enough to be alive. However, from the looks of it, he was alone and the Colonial Dominion had failed be the victor, ultimately losing against the United Navy.


    There was nothing he could do but watch as the afternoon sun slowly touched the lines of what was before him. Though, as he thought about the battle, an intriguing rumor popped into his mind. It was the fact that his sister was now fighting with the United Navy, leading the so-called Liberation Front.


    At first, he couldn''t believe it, dismissing such things as poorly-made rumors. After all, his sister had died in the hands of the United Navy. Her squadron fell into the ocean after intercepting a metallic warship. However, with time passing by and as the rumors consolidated, the truth was bing hard to deny.


    To be honest, he felt a bit betrayed. However, most of all, he felt satisfied that she could finally make a choice for herself and follow a path that was hers. Although, it was the most horrendous path of all, a path that knows no peace, a goal that would turn the world against oneself.


    "The Liberation Front, huh? Perhaps, I should take a visit."

 Chapter 206: | 206 | The Headquarters?

    In the viceroy''s luxurious office, Abraham stood in front of a mirror, straightening his uniform and coat. His intriguing appearance was reflected through, giving him an image of his current state. To say the least, it seems as though he was glowing with wealth.


    ''Don''t let it get to you.'' He thought while stretching his neck with a serious gaze remaining on his face. The wealth he had received as the reward of liberating the Colonial Dominion of Terra and its entire sea region made him extremely rich.


    There was no doubt that with his wealth of Naval Points around. The establishment of a country would be as smooth as possible. However, before doing so, there was somewhere he must visit. A ce of utmost importance.


    "The coordinates of that ind should be in the data banks of the United Navy." He mumbled to him and quickly stepped out of the luxurious office. As he entered the hallway of the governance castle of Terra, he was met with a line of Marines, guarding every nook and cranny of the building.


    The moment they saw him, the Marines quickly straightened their backs and saluted to the fleet admiral of the United Navy. Abraham gave them a few nods as a response while walking through the hallway. It didn''t take long until he was out of the governance castle.


    He took out a radio from his pocket and immediately contacted the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. The reason for his call was simple. He needed transport.


    *Fleet Admiral, this is UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, how may we help you?* A voice escaped from the confines of the radio, resounding over his ear. Abraham took a deep breath for a short moment before giving his response. "I need some transport to bring me to Instation-0."


    *Affirmative, Fleet Admiral. Your wish is ourmand. Sending an Osprey to a nearby square in the capital city of Terra. Please await their arrival, Sir.* Themunication operator didn''t hesitate to answer the orders of Abraham, immediately sending contact to an aviation pilot.


    "Thank you." Abraham nodded in satisfaction, turning off his radio and returning it back to where it came from. He nced around the outside of the castle brimming with armored and mechanized vehicles of all kinds. The Marines had fully upied the capital city of Terra.


    On the other hand, the United Army was taking control over all of the assets under the Colonial Dominion''s sphere of influence. Whether it''d be a fortress, a port, or a facility of some sort. All were conquered by the United Army.


    As he stood in front of the castle''s entrance, a HuNovelBinee soon arrived in front of him with its front seat door opening. A familiar Marine called out for him from the inside. "Fleet Admiral, is there somewhere you need to go?" The blond Marine uttered with a smile.


    It was none other than First Lieutenant Campbell, who had gone through quite a lot because of the following operations undertaken by the United Navy. Seeing his familiar face, a smile creeped into Abraham''s face as he calmly got into the Humvee.


    "Lieutenant Campbell, it has been quite a while since I met you. I heard you were amongst the few humans in the Special Response Unit, even directly trained by Lace herself." Abraham remarked as Campbell drove through the front yard of the castle.


    "Well, I merely noticed that those guys in the Special Response Unit seems to be having a lot of action in our fight against the colony. I simply joined when an opportunity arose. After all, I don''t want my skills to be too rusty in the Port of Dawn." Campbell replied with a grin.


    "Anyhow, where do you wish to go, Fleet Admiral? You seem to be in a hurry?" The lieutenant continued, asking Abraham for his destination. The fleet admiral sighed and answered. "An Osprey will be picking me up in the square. I have some ce to visit before following through my ns."


    "I see... You''re lucky to be with the best drivers in the Marines." Lieutenant Campbell smirked and elerated through the empty streets of the capital city. The square was once a ce where the market of the capital city would reside. But not, it was nothing more but a dested ce.


    It didn''t take long for the Humvee to arrived at its destination. Simultaneously, an Osprey flew overhead, slowly making itsnding onto the empty square of the capital city. Abraham watched through the window as Campbell made his stop before the ramp of the Osprey.


    "Thank you for taking the taxi, Fleet Admiral." He remarked with the same grin as before. Abraham lightly chuckled and got out of the Humvee. A squad of Marines awaiting to escort him, saluting and straightening their backs the moment he left the vehicle.


    "We need to be fast. After all, they should be quite confuse about the things going on." Abraham muttered, receiving the nods of agreement from the Marines. They quickly escorted him to the Osprey as it immediately lifted off the ground.


    Lieutenant Campbell stepped out of his Humvee, waving off the Osprey which contained the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    "Take care, Sir." He yelled out towards the aircraft, his voice echoing out of the destion that consumed the empty square.


    On the other hand, Abraham merely smiled at the lieutenant and returned his attention to the interior of the Osprey. Inside were a couple of intelligence officers, who came aboard after realizing where he was heading towards.


    "Sir, the coordinates of the Instation has been scattered throughout our fleet. Is it really that Instation, Sir? The one with the only codename of 0?" One of the intelligence officers questioned, curious about the destination they were heading at.


    Abraham nced at the intelligence officer who asked the question and replied with a smirk. "It''s the one and only. We will be heading to Instation-0 Citadel." His words resounded in the interiors of the Osprey, astounding everyone in it.


    Naturally, they weren''t ignorant of Instation-0. The reason why they were astounded was how it got into the foreign world. It seems that they had underestimated the power of their fleet admiral. His grandness was beyond what they couldprehend.


    Expecting things to make sense with his works of art was foolish and short of heretical. His capability goes far beyond the limits of reality, far from what was considered to be sensible. And that made him their fleet admiral, the one and only.


    ...


    An hour soon passed as the Osprey soared through the middle of the ocean. The coordinates of the newly-emerged instation was somewhere between the ind of Servusarator and the ind of Terra. It was practically northeast of the Port of Dawn, situation in the middle of the sea.


    Inside the interior of the Osprey, Abraham could feel the turbulence through the trembling internals of the aircraft. But nevertheless, he maintained his calm. As it would be impossible for him to die in a crash of some sort. Though, it would be worrying for his subordinates with him.


    He''d rather avoid such a horrific event.


    ''The instation is quite far.'' Abraham silently thought inside his mind, thinking about what the instation may be. It was called a Citadel, so it might be a fortress of some kind. Perhaps, a military base under the United Navy. That would be quite an interesting actuality.


    But, he could also ask Systema about what it may be, though he''d rather avoid doing so. It was better to see what it was for what it should be without a tinge of expectation inside his mind. Besides, a surprise was better as an ignorant rather than a knowing one.


    ''Though, we really are taking our time.'' Abraham thought while staring through the circr window of the Osprey. The sea was vast as it stretched towards the line of the boundless horizon. However, as he gazed through it, he noticed an aircraft flying right beside them.


    It looked simr to the F-35 Lighting II, perhaps a bitrger than the former.


    Abraham soon squinted his eyes as the radio from the pilot echoed through his ears. With his senses, it was extremely easy to hear. As if he was the one operating the radio instead of the pilot. He closed his eyelids, wanting to hear about the conversation between the two.


    "This is Taker 0-1, Transporting the Crest. Requesting fornding clearance."


    "I repeat, Transporting the Crest. Requesting fornding clearance."


    *Taker 0-1, this is the western tower. Landing clearance has been permitted, you will be escorted through yournding. A convoy will be awaiting the Crest.*


    "Affirmative," The connection between the two was immediately suspending, turning Abraham''s attention back at the jets beside them. He had finally realized what kind of aircraft they were. He remembered them as the famous stealth aircraft of the US air force.


    It was known by its intriguing name, Raptor.


    ''It looks like the instation is heavily defended.'' To have raptors as escorts and aerial guards would mean that the so-called Citadel was a highly capable naval asset. Though, how capable it was remains to be seen. And... He wasn''t left disappointing.


    A few seconds after the radiomunication disconnection between the pilot and the western tower, Instation-0 Citadel finally emerged from the fluffy clouds that covered it. It was a star-shaped enneagram artificial ind with canals leading to a massive dome-like building with a protruding tower in the center.


    The artificial ind was riddled with defenses in its shorelines along with anti-aircraft and anti-missile turrets scattered throughout the instation. Frigates and destroyers surrounded the Citadel, making its defensive capabilities much more greater than the Port of Dawn.


    The edges of his lips rose as he observed the spectacr sight through the circr window. He couldn''t help but mutter to himself.


    "So, this is Instation-0, huh? The Citadel of the United Navy, in simpler terms, its headquarters."

 Chapter 207: | 207 | Installation-0 Citadel

    The Osprey soon made itsnding onto the western runway of the instation. As it drove through the taxi way with its propellors slowly turning upwards, a convoy of military vehicles advanced towards the aircraft. Their body painted in jet-ck as attack helicopters hovered above them.


    The ramp slowly opened outward, and Abraham made his way to stand on the taxiway of the western airport. The touch of concrete along with its smoothness made him smile, though felt a bitplicated. After all, with how well-maintained the instation was, its expenses would corrte to it.


    "Quite a big and intriguing ce." Abraham muttered under his breath, gazing at the protruding central tower of the artificial ind in the distance. It perhaps reached the height of a kilometer, which was quite an engineering marvel for the standards of the foreign world.


    However, his attention was soon attracted by the iing armed military convoy shrouded in pitch-ck. Attack helicopters hovered above the convoy, giving it quite a dangerous impression. His gaze slowly narrowed as the convoy halted right beside them.


    The Marines in the Osprey tightly guarded his sides, prepared of any troubles, even if they were what one could consider the safest ce of the United Navy in this world.


    The doors of the armored ck vehicles quickly opened as soldiers emerged one after another with serious and determined gaze. They straightened their backs and saluted towards the highest authority of the United Navy, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd.


    In the limousine within the center of the convoy, an old man wearing a familiar uniform stepped out of the vehicle. He looked to be about 50 years old minimum, and seem to be moving well for his age. As his eyes fell upon the fleet admiral, a smile formed on his face.


    "It is an honor to be in the presence of the fleet admiral." The old man straightened his back like his subordinates and saluted to the authority of the naval organization. Obviously, he didn''t forget to introduce himself in the process.


    "I am Admiral Julius, themander of Instation-0, Citadel. I vow to be in servitude of the fleet admiral." After saluting, Old Julius bowed as admiration emanated from his body. The excessive loyalty of personnel was something Abraham found himself getting used to.


    He nodded with a smile stered on his face and remarked. "I thank you for your service, Admiral Julius. The United Navy is lucky to have you on our side." His tongue was full of praise, which was a much-needed talent in taking care of his subordinates.


    After all, he wouldn''t want to have the morale of his subordinates in the lower tide.


    "I shall not keep you waiting, Fleet Admiral Shepherd. How about I give you a tour in the Citadel?" Old Julius opened the door of the limousine and gave way to the fleet admiral. Abraham didn''t hesitate to ept the courtesy and got into the vehicle.


    After the fleet admiral entered the limousine, Old Julius followed suit while the soldiers also returned to their respective armored vehicles. It didn''t take too long for the armored convoy to be on the move, driving through the western airport of the Citadel.


    Abraham satfortably in the limousine, finding it somewhat luxurious. There were wines throughout the interior along with a center hanging television. Old Julius calmly prepared a drink for the fleet admiral, which heposed with remarkable ease.


    "Care for a drink, Fleet Admiral?" The Admiral devised a ss of wine, giving it to Abraham, who was idly staring through the ck-tinted window. The voice of the old man attracted his attention, causing him to smile and respond. "Thank you, Admiral Julius."


    Abraham epted the ss of wind and drank it with an unexpected eloquence. His time with Lace wasn''t for naught. The moments they shared together drinking sses of wind remained a significant memory for a middle-aged man like him.


    "The wine in this limousine are made of the finest ingredients in Europe and Asia. They are also thest products in this world, making their worth beyond what was measured." Old Juliusmented, also drinking the wine he had concocted in the vehicle.


    "Are you curious about the situation of the United Navy?" Abraham calmly asked, easily piercing through the intentions of the Admiral. The old man stopped sipping his ss of wind, as his gaze narrowed in seriousness.


    "The information in the data system is already something I am aware of. Although it was difficult to believe at first, the strangeness of our circumstance and our unpredictable location turned down such doubts. However, I''d like to hear about our situation from your perspective, Fleet Admiral."


    Old Julius didn''t desire to seek out more information from the data system. After all, the intelligence dwelling in the system wereposed by the intelligence officers. What he wanted to do first before opening up the intelligence was to hear it from the mouth of the highest authority.


    Abraham raised his eyebrows, but gave a nod of understanding. He ced the ss of wine in a holder and expounded five words to the admiral. It was the only thing that the old man needed to hear from him.


    "We are fighting the world."


    These words were enough, the reasons as to why they were fighting didn''t matter to Old Julius. After all, it was clear what the fleet admiral meant with his answer. There was no doubt that they were fighting the world. Whether it''d be in the present, orter in the future.


    They will be fighting the world.


    "I see... Your answer is enough for me, Fleet Admiral. As I said before, Instation-0 Citadel will be under your authority andmand. We will follow your orders regardless of how dubious they may seem. That is, the reason of our existence." The concluding words of the old man made him sigh.


    "I appreciate your loyalty, Admiral Julius. Your words means a lot to me." Abraham responded with a smile stered on his face. He soon noticed through the tinted windows that they finally left the confines of the western airport.


    Observing the scenery in the outside, there was only two words that escaped his thoughts.


    Concrete Jungle.


    The central region of the Citadel was brimming with concrete buildings from all sides. It was akin to a city, though a much more fortified one.


    Realizing the curiosity of the fleet admiral, Old Julius thought that it was finally time to introduced the Citadel to the highest authority. And in his opinion, it was the best part of his job. After all, he gets the opportunity to highlight the best parts of his instation.


    "It appears you are curious of the instation, Fleet Admiral. Would you like for me to expound information to you?" The admiral coolly asked, earning the light chuckle of Abraham. Though, he didn''t hesitate to nod in agreement, after all, he didn''t deny being curious about the Citadel.


    "Well, let me expound it to you."


    Admiral Julius began exining the intricacies of the instation in great detail. The first thing he expounded was the uniquendscape of the artificial ind. The Citadel was 500 kilometers from east to west, and north to south. A fairly sizeable ind.


    It has over 24 canals from the shores, leading to the Citadel in the ind''s center. Each canals originates from their respective cardinal directions, which brings them to the centralgoon where the port of the Citadel resided.


    Thegoon was within the dome-like foundational building of the Citadel, making the fleet in repair or resupplying themselves in utmost safety. Along the canals, defensive armaments were also scattered all about. Making it difficult or improbably toy siege upon.


    At any rate, the puncturing tower that pierced through the heavens from the dome-like structure was none other than the Citadel. It was primarily considered to be the headquarters of the United Navy, which meant that at its very top was the Fleet Admiral''s office.


    Following thendscape of the instation was its poption. The overarching poption of the Citadel was fairly massive as there were about 100,000 military and logistic personnel overseeing the massive fortress that was the Instation-0.


    Along with the poption, the military of the Citadel was almost impressive. In its Aegis Fleet were 10 destroyers, 15 frigates, 8 attack submarines, and 2 helicopter carriers. Its mere defensive fleet was already capable of taking on thebined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.


    The military capabilities of the Citadel weren''t to be underestimated. There was no doubt that it had the right to be called the Headquarters of the United Navy.


    Though, speaking of headquarters, it did made Abraham wonder if he should transfer into the Citadel. After all, the primary operations of the United Navy needed to grow, so a transfer of a much bigger system was a needed and inevitable choice.


    But this was for the future. For now, listening to the admiral''s exposition should be his current duty as the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    However, as Old Julius continued to ramble about vitalponents of the Citadel. One information attracted the attention of Abraham the most. It was the existence of the United Navy''s main R&D Department.


    It was muchrger than the one in the Port of Dawn,prising about hundreds of specialists, researchers, and scientists alike with all of their own sectors of advancement. With the R&D Department of the Citadel around, it was no question that the Director and his personnel in the Port of Dawn must be transferred into Instationt-0.


    ''I guess I''ll take actionter.'' Abraham thought as the armored convoy finally arrived to its destination. A massive metallic gate slowly slid open as rms flickered in and out beside it. The pathway it was leading to was none other than the entrance of the Foundation.

 Chapter 208: | 208 | Citadel Interiors

    The armored convoy transporting the fleet admiral entered through the opened giant metallic gates, revealing the interiors of the western gate depot. As Abraham gazed through the tinted windows of the limousine, he saw the containers being delivered in and out along with cranes guiding them. Personnel ran about the area, clearly busy about the work they were doing.


    "Wee to the Western Gate, Fleet Admiral. Nothing outside of that wall will be able to hurt you. Not even the so-called magicians of our enemies." The admiral remarked with pride as it would be near improbable for someone to prate through their defenses, even with the assistance of magic.


    However, Abraham didn''t hold the same opinion as the admiral. After all, he knew the Magus Tower the better. They were skewered in their thinking, a bit too sly for their own good. A Bastion would be able tost against them, but not too long.


    To defeat the Magus Tower, they should instead be on the offensive. This would break one of the best advantages of their enemy, which was time. With no time to react against their assault, the United Navy would have better chances dealing with the Magus Tower.


    Obviously, Abraham kept his thoughts within himself, understanding that the remarks of the admiral were simply born out of theck of information against their enemies. The old man had just recently been summoned by him, it would take some time for the guy to adapt.


    Nevertheless, the Foundation, which stood at the bottom of the Citadel, was impressive regardless. Even though its capabilities to repel invaders, such as an Archmagus was questionable, it would be beyond capable to handle an enemy fleet or army besieging it.


    ''Besides, if I transferred the R&D Department of the Port of Dawn into the Citadel. Their ignorance towards the Magus Tower wouldn''tst long, and it wouldn''t take long for them to build substantial defenses against the Magi.'' Abraham quietly thought to himself.


    The admiral opened the door of the limousine, guiding the fleet admiral with grace and loyalty. Abraham stepped out of the vehicle and quickly noticed the salute of every personnel in the immediate area. Their backs were straightened as they looked at him with fervor.


    Already used to such instinctive loyalty, he simply nodded at their salutes. Respectful of how high they held him as the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    Abraham and Old Julius walked through the Western Gate Depot, steadily reached the interior gateway leading deeper into the Foundation. Along the way, the admiral carefully exined the intrinsic details of the Foundation.


    In the old man''s own words, the Foundation was the dome-like structure that epassed the protruding tower called the Citadel. The Foundation had its own barracks, factories, training facilities, and many more. It was practically a building holding an entire city inside.


    The Foundation was divided into four sectors. The northern sector, the southern sector, the eastern sector, and his current location, the western sector. Each sectors were akin to districts in the Foundation, consisting of different yet simr focus.


    For example, the eastern sector was the United Army''s mainmand center, to which soldiers were trained to be part of the future ranks in the United Army. Whether it''d be the mechanized divisions, armored divisions, and many more.


    The western sector primarily consisted of Marine Central Command. Considered as the main supporting force of each part of the military, they also held their own barracks, training facilities, and even dedicated biome chambers for practical tests.


    The northern sector was entirely dedicated to the United Airforce, which was something that Abraham had heard for the first time. The United Airforce had factories constructing aircraft parts along with their respective airframes,bined with the existence of over a dozen airfields.


    And finally, the southern sector. It was the sector that controlled most of the canals leading to the Foundation. After all, it was the Principal Command of the United Navy. In the southern sector was the massive artificialgoon where most of the naval ports and construction yards were located.


    For the most part, the southern sector was busiest of the three because of the iing and outgoing personnel performing daily tasks through their respective frigates and destroyers. There were also attack submarines, and logistics ships that run the entire operation.


    Naturally, Abraham wanted to visit the sectors. But he stopped himself beforehand as he needed to visit the Citadel first. And it didn''t take long for them to arrive at the foot of the Citadel, which unveiled arge base supporting a tower that stood over a kilometer high.


    Surrounding the Citadel was the first greenery he had ever seen since entering the Foundation. Although enclosed by something akin to a massive concrete wall, the lush vegetation and parks that surrounded the Citadel was a stark contrast of the brutalist-like architecture of the interiors.


    "Fleet Admiral, we should take a tram to swiftly enter the Citadel." Old Julius calmly pointed at the futuristic-looking tram station, which made Abraham wonder if he was in a sci-fi movie of some sort. Nevertheless, the two of them got into the tram, surrounding by guards on all sides.


    For someone who imed that nothing outside the Foundation could ever hurt someone inside, the admiral seems a bit too overboard in the guards. Perhaps, he was in the cautious side despite his confidence over the instation''s ability to protect.


    The tram gradually got nearer to the Citadel, making the massive and towering building to loom over the ss windows that encapsted the transit car. Abraham contained his amazement, not wanting to be corrted as someone easily please.


    After all, it wouldn''t do good if his loyal subordinates notice his amazement and almost overly positive attitude towards their loyalty.


    "Wee to the Citadel, Fleet Admiral." Old Julius grinned as the tram entered the towering building. It steadily slowed itself down, marking its conclusion in a tram station inside the Citadel. Though as the ss doors opened, Abraham was unveiled to an entirely different atmosphere.


    Beforehand, he already noticed the clean and futuristic ivory-looking interior architecture of the Citadel. It made him remember a certain movie about a strange utopian future where everything could be where it should be.


    As the guards surrounding the two of them made way, Abraham and Old Julius got out of the tram and stepped into the tram station of the Citadel. There were personnel everywhere, but were far different from the ones in the Foundation.


    Instead, it reminded him of people in a government center. Practically, these personnel were akin to government workers of his past world. They were overly formal with matching uniforms that didn''t seem to have a tinge of stain, dirt, or dust over them.


    "The Citadel mostly consists of supporting and logistics staffs. They make sure that the war machine of the United Navy is properly pumped with ammunition, arsenal, and ordnance." Old Julius exined, and began his third round of exnation.


    ording to him, the Citadel was mostly a structure of governance andmand. It wasn''t primarily a military center, but instead the executive''s throne. It was practically a hall of governance with departments of its own, managing the fairlyrge popce of the instation.


    There were multiple departments, whether it''d be education, energy, defense,bor, health, and many more. With these departments around, the management of an entire country was usible without the need of transforming themand structure of the United Navy.


    So, in Abraham''s eyes, it was the highest of blessings. After all, he wouldn''t have to hold everything to keep the naval organization afloat. Having these departments around would assure that he would live a long life without fearing his life because of overwork.


    At any rate, he and the admiral entered a futuristic-looking elevator. Finally, the guards that always escorted them finally halted, leaving the two alone in the elevator. As the elevator rose through numerous floors, Old Julius concluded his exposition.


    "The Citadel is an administrative institution, a small government on its own, capable of handling tasks that requires the power, authority, or politics of a country. I believe that Instation-0 will not disappoint you, Fleet Admiral." The admiral uttered with determination.


    "Then, I look forward of the Citadel making me proud." Abraham smiled at the old man, who could only lightly chuckle at the words of the fleet admiral. Old Julius gazed at the highest authority, and slightly bowed. "Fear not, for we shall not fail you."


    The elevator doors slid open, revealing an entire lone floor at the very apex of the Citadel. Abraham stepped out of the elevator, while Old Juliusmented. "This is the safest part of the Citadel, Fleet Admiral."


    "The airspace around this floor is strictly maintained, assuring that nothing can be near to the crown of the Citadel. And this floor... Is the one and only Executive Floor of the United Navy. The Home of the Highest Authority, your quarters, Fleet Admiral."


    Old Julius had a proud smile on his face as Abraham nces around in curiosity. The floor was the most luxurious ce he had ever seen. The ss windows encapsting the entire exterior panel of the floor made it seem like the wealthy penthouses of his former world, even much more grander than them.


    After all, the crown of the Citadel resided over a kilometer from the sea level. The view was beyond amazing as he could see the shores from north to south, and east to west.


    Anyhow, only one word escaped his mouth in an utter hush whisper.


    "Damn..."

 Chapter 209: | 209 | The Call for a Meeting

    Somewhere in the capital city of the ind of Terra, Lace checked through dozens of reports from the Special Response Unit during the final battle between the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy. After checking through the some of the reports, the dragoness was satisfied of her personnel.


    Their false effectiveness in the southern colony of Austerus would forever be a stain, but at the very least, they were much more efficient and potent during the assault of the Magi during the battle in the central region. Though, it doesn''t prove much as their enemies were humans.


    The questions remains whether or not they would be effective if their adversaries were a part of the beastfolk species. If they remained ineffective, Lace would have no choice but to pick the radical options in training them. If the radical option doesn''t solve the problem, then the Special Response Unit will be drop.


    Their ineffectiveness in a battle against beastfolks wouldn''t do good for the future operations of the United Navy. They would be unfit to serve in the future, soying them off earlier than investing deeper would be beneficial for the naval organization.


    ''I hope it doesn''te to that moment.'' Lace quietly thought to herself, ying the files of reports back onto the top of the desk. She had taken a liking with the Special Response Unit, so seeing it dissolved would be somewhat disappointing.


    However, her loyaltiesy to the United Navy, not the Special Response Unit. The SRU were but a means to an end, the path for beastfolks to have a voice in the United Navy and wield some power. After all, if the good humans were doing all the work in liberation and freedom.


    The future generations of beastfolks wouldn''t be able to justify themselves as more than a second-ss citizen, which if possible, she would rather avoid.


    "It all depends on them." Lace muttered and was about to continue going through a dozen of reports once again. But before she could do so, an SRU personnel interrupted her. It was none other than Espada, who had a group of ck-uniformed men behind him.


    "Lady Lace, they have called for you." Espada wryly smiled and made way for the group of men behind him. One of them stepped forward and saluted to the dragoness. "Lieutenant Colonel Lace, the Fleet Admiral has called for the summoning of high-essential personnel in the United Navy."


    "We will be escorting you to the meeting ce along with other high-essential personnel called about by the Fleet Admiral." The captain of the squad of ck-uniformed men exined while keeping his salute to the dragoness.


    He was a professional and experience member of the Navy SEALs. The dread that the lieutenant colonel emanated from her body was akin to him standing naked in front of a tiger. The feeling of helplessness seeped into his body, like an instinctive fear of something greater.


    However, as he was skilled in his line of work. He controlled his calm, appearing normal in the outside. The same could be said to his subordinates. They carefully maintained their calm while saluting to the lieutenant colonel.


    Lace raised her eyebrows and quickly remembered that Abraham had gotten into an Osprey heading somewhere. It seems that something of importance has urred. After all, the summoning of high-essential personnel was the emergence of a top-level meeting, usually a war meeting of some sort.


    But, a war meeting would be too troublesome at the moment. Especially now that the war between the Colonial Dominion of Terra and the United Navy had just recently reached its conclusion. So, Lace was confident about it being something different.


    Though, what it was remained in question.


    If she wanted to discover more about it and the ns her lover hand in mind. Tagging along with these squad that Abraham had sent to pick her up would be the obvious option. Although, she wish to go in the location on her own.


    There might be someplexities that would be problematic if she went into the location alone.


    "Alright, I''ll have you escort me." Lace stood up from her desk and ced the files of reports neatly in their drawers before closing them. The squad of Navy SEALs made way for the dragoness as she walked past them with grace.


    However, before she left the camp, she nced at Espada and ordered. "Take care of the Special Response Unit while I''m gone." Espada nodded in agreement and saluted to the lieutenant colonel.


    Lace smiled and continued walking with the squad of Navy SEALs behind her. Their transport aircraft was an Osprey where she would be transported to the location of the fleet admiral along with many high-essential personnel in the United Navy currently within the ind of Terra.


    ...


    Meanwhile, somewhere near the port of the capital city of Terra, Mercedes along with a couple of investigative intelligence officers went through the docks andthe abandoned ships of the former disintegrated Colonial Dominion. They were recording the ships as to assure that they would notice if one of it disappears.


    The reason why Mercedes was tagging along was under the orders of the lieutenant colonel. The possibilities of stray Magus or colonial guards were slim, but not impossible. It was better to not take unnecessary risks, which the First Lieutenant understood.


    After all, it was the view of the fleet admiral in tackling the troublesome problems that surrounds him. Risks shouldn''t be taken lightly regardless of the dim chances. Otherwise, the dices of destiny would bring a disastrous surprise to those that dare to underestimate it.


    "It seems that merchant ships were also left behind during the deportation. They are some goods from outside Colonial Dominions, some are spices, while others are peculiar objects and instruments." One of the intelligence officers remarked, gazing at a sheet of paper.


    The paper contained the list of cargo left behind in the abandoned ships within the docks. It was a lot, to say the least. It would take some time for them to process the cargo, confirming whether it was safe or hazardous to keep and perhaps circte into the United Navy.


    "The spices and the products they keep tells us a lot about the Colonial Dominions they might have gone through before docking into Terra. This information will save us a lot of trouble in future trade." Another intelligence officermented.


    "What do you think, First Lieutenant Mercedes?" One of them questioned, curious about the perspective of the fleet admiral''s secretary. After all, she might have some internal knowledge about the ns of the fleet admiral, prompting them to ask for her opinion.


    Mercedes nced at them with a cool gaze and calmly answered. "Trade will be an integral part of the United Navy in the future. There will be some products where we will haveplete monopoly over, and these must be where our priorities should be."


    "Securing them, and assuring our control over them would solidify the foundation of our future. It would also give us a lot of sway over countries and nations that wishes to make use of our products." Mercedes answered with calm eloquence.


    Being beside the fleet admiral had its benefits. Understanding how to talk and speak of their mind without stuttering along with the ability to exin in a concise manner was a skill she had learned from observing the fleet admiral. His eloquence in speech wasn''t to be underestimated.


    It made Mercedes wonder how good the tongue of the fleet admiral was to speak in such a magnificent way.


    The intelligence officers smiled as the perspective of the first lieutenant shed light to one of the strategies in future trade. However, before they could praise her, a squad of ck-uniformed men arrived and saluted to the first lieutenant.


    The officers quickly noticed their familiar uniforms, understanding what part of the naval organization they may be.


    "First Lieutenant Mercedes, the Fleet Admiral has called about for the summoning of high-essential personnel. As his secretary, you have been permitted to join the meeting in the instation." The squad leader straightened his back and informed Mercedes.


    Mercedes furrowed her eyebrows, but understood that the fleet admiral had summoned for her presence. Without a tinge of hesitation or dy, she walked towards the squad of Navy SEALs and nced back at the intelligence officers.


    "Apologies, I''ll take my leave to day. You should ask someone else to rece me. After all, the port is still a dangerous area to be in." She gave an advice to the group of intelligence officers, who simply gave their nods.


    She then returned her gaze to the Navy SEALs and nodded at them. They swiftly escorted her to the Osprey that would be transporting the high-essential personnel in the ind of Terra to their destination.


    ...


    On the other hand, Rear Admiral George stood in the bridge, gazing through the windows and watching the boundless lines of the horizon. An intelligence officer soon came up beside him and saluted before giving a report.


    "Sir, the Fleet Admiral has summoned you for a meeting. An Osprey is already prepared for you in the flight deck." Following the report of the intelligence officer, George nodded in understanding and walked away from his designated position.


    "Understood, the orders of the Fleet Admiral is of utmost importance." He muttered while heading towards the flight deck of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. As he arrived on the flight deck, another squad of Navy SEALs stood with the intention to escort him to his destination.


    When the rear admiral noticed them, his gaze narrowed.


    "It seems that the Fleet Admiral has made a great decision."

 Chapter 210: | 210 | The Arrival of the Higher Echelons

    Somewhere in the northeast of the ind of Terra...


    In the middle of the seemingly endless cold waters of the northern sea, the tides surged along with the vicious waves that threatened to consume those that dared to sail upon it. However, above savage sea was a lone Osprey soaring through the clear azure skies emptied of any canvas of clouds.


    And inside of it were two of the Higher Echelons in the naval organization, who were temporarily situated in the ind of Terra after the final battle between the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy.


    These two were Lieutenant Colonel Lace also known as the Dragon of Liberation and themander of the Special Response Unit, and First Lieutenant Mercedes, the one and only secretary of the Fleet Admiral.


    As the interiors of the Osprey trembled from the turbulence brought about by an empty sky. Lace maintained a smirk on her face, ncing around the aircraft with interest. The Naval SEALs still surrounded them, though these new guys maintained a clear distance from them.


    "So, what did you discover in the docks, Lace? Is there something interesting inside?" After observing the Naval SEALs, the dragoness turned her attention to her former second-inmand.


    Mercedes, who found herself in a trance, was disrupted from whatever came through her mind and imagination to answer the dragoness before her. The silver wolf lycanthrope gazed forward and into the golden eyes of the lieutenant colonel.


    Without a tinge of obvious reaction, Mercedes aloofly answered. "Nothing of interest was discovered in the docks. There was no secret or hidden artifact after our second round of searching through the abandoned ships. It seems that the secrets of the Magus Tower mayy deeper than we imagined."


    "Oh, I see... I guess searching for Magus traces in the port was already a bad endeavor to begin with." Lace was cautious and a bit paranoid when facing against the Magi. These bastards knew how to maintained or ce secretive runic spells.


    The dragoness needed to make sure, not wanting the ind of Terra to be even morepromised that it currently was.


    "The Magus Tower is off-limits until the Fleet Admiral returns to the ind of Terra. That was the agreement, the choice we have made." Mercedes calmly responded, earning the pout of the dragoness. "I know, I know... I''m just thinking that we could investigate a bit of it."


    "Maybe, we can make sure that it would be safe for Abraham to enter." Lace suggesting with an innocent smile, which Mercedes immediately shut down without hesitation or dy. "No, we have already made our decision. There''s no going back from that."


    "Humph..." Lace pouted even further and turned her head away from the first lieutenant. Promises were something she considered as important. So, if she wanted to do something that breaks the agreement, she would usually ask the one who she gave her word to.


    But if they disagreed with a break of their agreement, there was nothing she could do. Lace wanted to maintain her integrity as a dragon, so she halted in her activities of trying to change the agreement.


    Seeing the reaction of the dragoness, Mercedes could only sigh to herself and nced at the endless sea below them through the windows of the aircraft. Beforehand, a couple of years ago, she never thought she would go so far into the skies.


    Now, it became a normal urrence for her. The usual amazement of flying had already worn off the moment she reached her twentieth time in an aircraft.


    However, the sceneries that could only be seen by birds, or perhaps dragons, were amazing nheless. The beauty of the skies was something that was difficult to be dismissive about. It reminded her the vastness of the world and the freedom they could aplish inside of it.


    "Have you thought about what I said before the operation?" Before Mercedes could continue her thoughtless search for beauty amidst the heavens, the smug voice of Lace echoed inside her fluffy ears. Her eyebrows rose, remembering what the dragoness had said a couple of days ago.


    "I heard you gave the Vice Admiral the same offer a month ago. I thought you had already given up on it after not hearing about it for a few weeks." Mercedes was curious as to what could have prompted the dragoness to do such things.


    She didn''t know if she should be in favor of it or not. Her mind kept her rational, reminding her to not overstep the boundaries of a subordinate and a superior. But her heart wrecks havoc in her thoughts, wanting to step beyond the lines of normalcy.


    Nevertheless, Mercedes kept such thoughts within herself. It was better for things to remain unsaid, her thoughts should be forever be nothing more but a figment of her mind.


    "Have you ever heard a dragon giving up?" Lace questioned while chuckling as though the word giving up had never gone through her mind a single moment in her entire life. Her dictionary didn''t contain such a word as giving up would mean more than what it should be.


    "I haven''t... After all, you are the first dragon I have ever talked to." Mercedes replied in a straightforward manner prompting Lace to stop chuckling. She looked at the silver wolf and felt as though this lieutenant was as dense as the world itself.


    "At any rate, whether or not I chase after the Fleet Admiral does not corrte to your activities in pushing it forward. I''ll choose in my own terms, and the results will be something I can ept." She continued and answered the words that the dragoness had spoken before.


    Lace''s gaze narrowed as she quietly muttered in a cold tone. "But you better be fast. After all, I won''t keep the gates open forever. I''m sure you understand the most how dragons treat their treasures."


    "With greed, obsession, and arrogance." Mercedes responded, her eyes also squinting at the dragoness. She knew how dangerous Lady Lace was. A dragon''s power wasn''t to be underestimated, Mercedes herself had personally seen it.


    Lace was the strongest individual in the United Navy. Even though dragoness sometimes follow through the words of the vice admiral and herself, Mercedes knew the most that the only one that could reel her in and keep her in line was the fleet admiral of the United Navy.


    Though, her hesitance was never rted to the power imposed by the dragoness. Mercedes didn''t fear anything after losing her freedom. Regaining it returned some of her emotions, but most were reserved to the fleet admiral.


    If she decided to take the fleet admiral for herself, she would do so without a tinge of hesitation. Even if she faced the wrath of the dragoness and die in the process, she would leave the world in her own terms, living a life without regrets.


    "I already know that. There''s no need to remind me, Lady Lace." Mercedes softly answered, earning the nod of the dragoness. "To live life is to make sure you don''t have a tinge of regrets. Otherwise, you would feel as though you haven''t live your fullest."


    Lace remarked and continued. "But opportunities are rare and not always present. There will be moments that will be once in a lifetime. Don''t hesitate, no matter what."


    Meanwhile, the Navy SEALs calmly watched in the sideline as the twodies conversed with silent venoms. It made them think of the fleet admiral''s ability to tackle such women without losing his life. As expected of the one that could only be considered as the man amongst men.


    Though, before the Navy SEALs could continue thinking about what had just happened in the interiors of the Osprey. Lace and Mercedes turned her attention away from each other and into the windows right beside them. Beyond the reinforced ss was a massive ind resembling a nine-pointed star.


    At the middle of the strange ind was a dome-like structure with a protruding tower at its center. It pierced through the skies, and it was thergest building they had ever seen. It towers even the most highest skylines in the Port of Dawn.


    "So, this is where he got himself into." Lace mumbled to herself, staring at the instation below one. Her scrutinizing gazeid bare the secrets buried throughout the ind. The more she observed it, the more she realized that it was more of a fortress than anything else.


    "It seems that the United Navy has grown even further than ever before. Perhaps, now a hundredfold stronger. The dream of establishing a country will be easy to achieve with this ind around." She continued to silently mutter, realizing the reason why her lover had called for a meeting.


    Things were bound to be interesting. After all, the creation of a country wasn''t a mere affair. With the allied inds surrounding them, it would be aplicated one. Though, regardless of the results, she would stand by the United Navy.


    On the other hand, Mercedes''s mind was riddled with countless of thoughts. The marvel of engineering before her and the invincible-like fortress architecture of the ind deeply amazed her. She couldn''t help but feel a slight excitement in her heart as it steadily pounded inside her chest.


    ''As expected of him.'' She thought to herself, gazing at the Citadel with hidden amazement.


    The Osprey soon made itsnding, along with many others like it. Inside them were also the Higher Echelons of the United Navy, from the rear admiral, to the respective lieutenantmanders, and lieutenant colonels. It would be a meeting that would shape the United Navy.

 Chapter 211: | 211 | The Establishment of a Nation

    In the towering Citadel of the instation that pierced through the azure skies of the heavens above, an assembly hall resided in its foot, merely above the Foundation. It was a massive conference room, farrger than the one dwelling in the Port of Dawn.


    It was the administrative chamber of the United Navy, the hall that would decide the future of the naval organization. And within it was none other than the highest authority, Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd, the supreme judge of the Hall of Unity.


    Abraham sat on his seat in the assembly hall that stood higher than the most. It was akin to a luxurious and private loge, though a bit more open than the former. He could see everyone that would be sitting in the hall, and they would also see him.


    However, the grandiose nature of the Hall of Unity wasn''t the reason why he had called for the higher-echelons of the United Navy. It was merely time for the United Navy, as such he summoned them.


    ''They should be entering the hall at any moment.'' A calm thought emerged as he gazed at the entrance of the assembly hall. The mere entrance stood 50 meters high, which was already a magnificent sight for those that walked through it.


    However, the Greek-like architecture of the Hall of Unity improved its appearance even further. It was as though one had entered the hall of the gods where they would decide the fate of the world. It was quite a scene as 24 gargantuan pirs surrounding the hall.


    There was no practicality of the architecture, but perhaps that was the reason why it felt so divine. The heavens heeds no practicality or efficiency, for its beauty and magnificence would be enough to thwart any fools logic.


    At any rate, the first group had arrived. The lieutenantmanders of the Port of Dawn and Vulcan had walked through the entrance. The moment their eyesid bare to the fleet admiral, they quickly straightened their backs and saluted.


    Afterward, they heeded to their designated seats and awaited for the remaining higher-echelons of the United Navy.


    Meanwhile...


    In the Foundation of the instation, Lace and Mercedes were walking through the grassyndscape in the middle of the structure. The evergreen terrain encapsted the towering tower of Citadel, ensuring the disconnection between the military and the administrative affairs of the UN.


    "I thought their technology was already impressive enough. But it seems that they can''t stop surprising me." Lace muttered to herself, gazing at the Citadel, which pierced through the azure skies. It made her wonder about what secrets the United Navy may have hidden from the world.


    "So, this is the authority of the United Navy in its actual form. A puncturing tower that touches the heavens as though answering to the gods themselves. Although I don''t believe in such beings, it makes me wonder if the fleet admiral is one." Mercedes mumbled to herself, looking at the same tower.


    Lace raised her eyebrows after hearing the remarks of the first lieutenant. Her lover was no god, but perhaps in the future, he would be one. After all, Abraham and herself would find it difficult to die in natural causes.


    The people surrounding them would sooner orter grow old, reced by their children and grandchildren. How the second and third generation would look at them was a question she dared to ask.


    Though, didn''t dare to answer.


    The loyalty of the United Navy may have been over the skies in the first generation, but it bes questionable in the second. She would have to make sure to keep everyone in line and assure the destruction of disloyalty.


    As a dragoness, the arrogance of an insect ticked her the most.


    Lace soon sighed and shook her head. ''The subordinates of the United Navy are beyond the subject of ants. They are hounds, waiting to be called about by Abraham. However, the moment a hound bites the hand that feeds it.''


    Her eyes narrowed as her golden irises glowed in a neon hue. "I will have to enact the first purge." She wasn''t ignorant of how time affects the generations of an organization. After all, she was formerly known as the leader of the Revolting Tide, a century-spanning rebellion.


    The rot within the Revolting Tide hadn''t instantaneous emerged in a single year, month, or day. Instead, it took years, decades, and perhaps century for the rot to ovee what was alive. Lace didn''t want her old circumstance to be felt by her lover.


    The pain she had felt from the betrayal of the organization she had taken care of for over a century was a deep-seated agony that she didn''t wish for Abraham to feel the slightest. As such, the prevention of the rot had to be done in the earlier stages of the United Navy.


    However, the ultimately, the fate of the United Navy wasn''t for her to decide. It was a decision that should be made by Abraham, so the only thing she could do was guide him.


    Lace nced at Mercedes who was entranced by the colossal tower of Citadel. A smile creeped into her face as she remarked to the silver wolf. "We shouldn''t waste anymore of our time here. They should be waiting for us inside the Citadel."


    Before Mercedes could react, she felt the dragoness hugged her as they immediately teleported out of the grassyndscape and emerged in the gargantuan entrance of the Hall of Unity. The silver wolf was disoriented at first, but noticed the white marble architecture surrounding them.


    "It''s much bigger than the one in the Port of Dawn. It seems that they have outdone themselves once again." Lace muttered to herself as she walked through the gate of Unity. Mercedes followed from behind, deeply amaze by the architecture that encapsted them.


    The two soon made their way into the Hall of Unity, which the attendants quickly announced their designated seats. Their seats were somewhat surprising, as it was directly inside the loge of the fleet admiral. Practically the chairs behind him.


    "Lace, Mercedes, what do you think?" Abraham smirked as Lace and Mercedes stepped into the one and only loge in the Hall of Unity. It spoke a lot of his status, signifying his stature of being above from what was below.


    "I can''t help but wonder if you really aren''t an emperor of some sort." Lace grinned at the middle-aged man, whose smirk turned sheepish. The whole architecture of the Hall of Unity already gave the vibes of an imperial senate.


    He wanted to defend himself by saying that he wasn''t the one that made them construct it, but Charlotte also got into the loge with a curious expression on her face. "I was wondering where the three of you are."


    "At any rate, why have you called for us, Abra- I mean... Fleet Admiral." Charlotte quickly, but calmly changed her tone into a more formal one. She was in the dark about the ns the problem dragon and the middle-aged man had in mind.


    Even Mercedes also wondered about the same thing as theories surged through her mind trying to exin the situation before her.


    "Well..." When Abraham heard the question of Charlotte, he felt a bitplicated and wondered whether he should wait or straightforwardly tell her. He nced at Lace for help, but notice her looking away while whistling.


    ''Systema, may I have your wisdom?'' He called for his precious partner, but like the usual, no reply woulde in when he found himself trapped in a peculiar situation. However, after much deliberation inside his mind, he finally made a decision.


    Abraham straightened his back and lightly coughed, attracting the attention of both Mercedes and Charlotte even further. They deeply gazed at him, curious about his reasons for calling them. Their theories were mostly rted to wars.


    They wondered if the fleet admiral had another target for them to liberate. There were tons of savage nations in the world, so the number of factions they have to give freedom was difficult to quantify. Though, it seems that the two had misunderstood his intentions.


    Silence permeated through the air for a short moment before Abraham opened his mouth and told the two about his ns from the bottom to the top. Most of it corrted to one thing and it was the creation of a country under the authority of the United Navy.


    The exnation took some time as Abraham made sure that the Mercedes and Charlotte understood his attentions in a greater detail. After all, he didn''t want misunderstandings to appear from out of nowhere because of theck of information.


    "I see... That''s why the higher-echelons are being called to this instation." After the exnation of the fleet admiral concluded, Charlotte nodded in understanding, her reaction was as calm as an untouchedke.


    On the other hand, Mercedes tilted her head in confusion. Though, she soon realized that the United Navy didn''t answer to a country of any sort. It was its own private organization, even though it was more of a country of its own than any self-established countries in the Ferus Sea.


    Lace stepped forward with the edges of her lips rising. She couldn''t contain her excitement from the thought of building a country from the ground up. Although it might not be that different from working along with the United Navy, it was still a path she hadn''t delved into.


    "It has been quite some time since the United Navy made its way through the seas of this world. We have fought against sea monsters, to magibeasts, armies, and navies. The United Navy has stood at the top of each challenge, and it shall continue to do so for eternity."


    "The Establishment of a Nation..." Lace uttered from her supple lips and continued."Is a matter that must be done, an inevitable oue."

 Chapter 212: | 212 | United World Government

    Deep inside of the towering structure standing at an expansion within the center of the Foundation, the Hall of Unity dwelled where the assembly that would decide the future of the Ferus Sea and the world that surrounds it would be chosen.


    The actors in the assembly were numerous despite being merely reserved to the higher echelons of the naval organization.


    From the lieutenantmanders of the two inds under the authority of the UN, to the lieutenant colonels that lead the armies of the authority, and finally, to the administrative powers of the Citadel.


    They sat in their designated seats, respectful and calm, awaiting for the highest authority of the United Navy to begin the conference of the highest order.


    Silence permeated in the Hall of Unity as the marble-like pirs that surrounded it stood tall with unrivalled extravagance. It wasparable to the halls of Rome or Athens, a ce of authority and power.


    Abraham gazed at the higher echelons of the United Navy, not reaching over a dozen, though a lot more than he had previously expected. His pitch-ck eyes soon narrowed as he finally spoke with a calm yet firmed voice.


    "I have summoned you into the Hall of Unity for an announcement. I have made a choice, and nned to walk into the greatest path of the United Navy." His words echoed throughout the hall, reverberating in its ivory-dded corners.


    Confusion, wonder, and calm were the emotions that everyone below the fleet admiral felt. They were curious as to what path he had chosen. However, regardless of what kind of road it may be to the future, they would be willing toy down their lives for it.


    As the fleet admiral was their shepherd in a world entirely unknown to them.


    "It is a given..."


    "The United Navy shall established its own country amidst the political powers that encapsted this world. Not a backwater country waiting to be eaten by empires, but a Government that would walk into the path of liberation and freedom."


    "This world has been shrouded with the tumors of an ancient disease known as ignorance. Suffering might not be seen or felt by the victors, but the lost of freedom and the onught of domination has made sure of its existence."


    "We, members of a modern world, shall assure the freedom of all sapient life. As it is the will of our ancestors, and the path our people have chosen for themselves. However, for us to stand in this world, we must be a power of our own."


    "As I have said before, the establishment of our own country is a foregone conclusion since the beginning. It shall happened regardless of the critics and the rejections thates after it. The consequences of its creation will bring forth the blueprint of a true and secure society."


    "Now, may I ask you my generals andwmakers, do you reject this decision?" Abraham squinted his eyes, gazing at every member that had joined him in this confidential meeting. The entire assembly had been done in secret, partly because of the ramifications of an unexpected creation of country.


    There was no need for the others to know about every ns and operation conjured by the United Navy. It wasn''t their right yet as they were nothing more but allies of the naval organization.


    At any rate, silence permeated through the air. Sce appeared to consume the entirety of the Hall of Unity. None of the lieutenantmanders, colonels, or administrative powers had a strength to utter a single word from their mouth.


    However, it only took a short while for the expected reactions toe true. One of the lieutenantmanders straightened his back and saluted to the fleet admiral. He was none other than the first one summoned by Abraham, Lieutenant Commander Morgen.


    "For the United Navy!" His roar resonated in the interiors of the assembly hall, pulling those within it from their trance. All of them immediately followed suit and saluted to the highest authority before uttering the same words as the lieutenantmander. "FOR THE UNITED NAVY!"


    Seeing their determined expressions that seemed as though they were willing to go to hell with him, Abraham couldn''t help but softly smile and announced the end of the introductory. "Alright, it looks like all of you are ready."


    "The introduction shall end, and let us talk about the establishment of our country."


    And so, the conference of what was considered as the dawn a new established order had begun.


    ...


    The members within the Hall of Unity quickly participated in the discussion of the country they will be creating. Ideas were thrown into the open about what kind governance the country would be in question of.


    There were all kinds of ideas, from the usual democracy, bureaucracy, confederation, republicanism, federalism, and many more, some even marking inmunism, socialism, or autocracy, although these were sociopolitical philosophies.


    Anyhow, the discussion of the kind of governance was a heated debate about the disadvantages and advantages of the spoken form of governance. From the troubles of a fractured state, to the corruptness of a single power.


    It was quite a great conversation as Abraham had finally been given a sign of what kinds of views his subordinates had in their minds. Some were leaning into the liberation-motto, but there were some with views ofw and order.


    Unexpectedly, Charlotte also joined in on the meeting between the higher echelons of the United Navy. Her opinions about governance was something that actually brought out a ndestine issue.


    It was entirely rted to the fleet admiral of the naval organization, about what kind of role he may y in the country that the United Navy has built. At that very moment, the two sides of freedom and order had reached into a singr conclusion.


    Autocracy.


    Obviously, the moment Abraham heard of it. He quickly dispelled the idea, for obvious reasons. His life was far from being short-lived inparison to normal humans. With this in mind, if epted the path of Autocracy, he might be forced to work for eternity.


    And surprisingly, his rejection was outright rejected by his subordinates. They argued that he was the highest authority of the United Navy. There was no used for a democracy that would not be heeded by the power of a single individual.


    It was better to not pretend to be an illusion of a democratic government. With this, he could only sigh in defeat as he understood that they had no ns in going back with their thoughts. Abraham couldn''t help but re at Charlotte, who cheekily grin, which surprised him.


    After all, a smile was already rare for the famous frozen empress. At any rate, he had to figure things out, otherwise, he would be forced to work for the United Navy for an eternity. Such fate brought chills into his spine.


    A moment of thoughtster, he couldn''t help but lightly cough and brought forth his opinion. "Let us instead make abination of governance. Our nation will be built upon federalism with a prime minister handling the governance of the country."


    "And, above the prime minister will be the autocratic part that you lot seem to desire." His gaze narrowed before he continued. "I appear to be shackled by you, so I will stand beyond the authorities and powers of the government."


    "All of you will follow mymands once I utter them, from my whims to my choices. Will that be enough for you?" Abraham sighed once again while the ones below him nodded withplete satisfaction. It was as though they had avoided Armageddon.


    As Abraham sat back on his seat, Lace stepped forward and calmly remarked. "Charlotte is pretty smart. She brought forth an issue that you must not have thought of in your ns in establishing a nation. The simple question of who will rule over it."


    Abraham raised an eyebrow, trying to understand the meaning of her words. "Bing an emperor isn''t within the list of dreams that I n to carry out in my life." He softly stated, saddened about the fate of his life.


    "Your subordinates have already understood full well the state of your being. They know of your existencesting longer than them, longer than any generations they could ever dreamed of."


    "Countries die the moment the reason of the establishment fades. And because time is the mortal enemy for any nation, the reasons why dims in each passing generation. With you around standing at the top, you can assure that it doesn''t stray from the path it hade to be."


    "That is your responsibility for creating it, Abraham?" Lace smiled at the middle-aged man, who couldn''te up anything against what she had uttered from her supple lips.


    "You know, I won''t be able to spend time with you in every moment with this responsibility around." Abraham muttered to himself, though clearly heard by the dragoness. "We have a lot of time to spend with each other. Besides, I will always be beside you from sickness until death."


    "Is that a proposal?" Abraham grinned at Lace, who tilted her head, curious about what he could have meant. "I don''t get what you mean. What I said is a fact, not a proposal. The moment you became my partner, you have be mine." Lace smirked, though Charlotte merely shook his head in the background.


    The establishment of a country was ongoing before them, and they had the time to flirt? Though, she had to admit that they were good at it. "Abraham, do you have a name for this country of ours?"


    Abraham returned from the flirting conversation between himself and the dragoness, calmly responding. "I already have a name in mind. It''s fairly simple."


    "It''s the United World Government."


    Charlotte, Lace, and Mercedes couldn''t help but chuckle. Abraham was confused, but Systema quickly gave him a suggestion of what the reason may be. Though, quite surprising for her to talk out of nowhere without a question or amand from him.


    *Ding!*


    | The name implies the Fleet Admiral''s desire to conquer the world. |


    ''-What?''


    Without a hint of hesitation and dy, Lace jumped into Abraham, hugging him tightly."As expected of my Abraham, it seems that you already look further than all of usbined. To think you already n to rule over the world. That''s one of the many traits I love about you."

 Chapter 213: | 213 | TIMESKIP: Part One - United World Government Establishment

    The confidential assembly situated in the Citadel''s Hall of Unity was a short and secretive meeting of the higher echelons directly summoned by the highest authority of the United Navy. The reasons or objectives about what the conference entails remains a mystery in the sanctum of the UWG.


    However, it was clear that what followed after the meeting the establishment of a country under the authority of the naval organization, the United World Government.


    The United World Government was announced in the celebration of victory in the 4th of September, Year 0002 of the United Calendar. The abrupt announcement was met with all kind of reactions, especially from the allied inds.


    It was through this deration that they had realized their partner wasn''t a country on its own, but merely a naval organization. Even though the United Navy acted like a nation of its peculiar circumstance, it wasn''t.


    At any rate, the promation brought about the change of status in the sea region of Terra. The United World Government had pronounced its territories from the northern most ind of Terra, to the Port of Dawn and the Construction Yard Vulcan.


    The inds outside of the spoken territories were considered as dominions of its own influence as such doesn''t have the privileges of a territory under the control of the UWG. The allied inds were taken by surprised of this assertion of influence.


    But the first country established in the sea region of Terra, the State of Minos quickly caught on with the implications brought about by the United World Government. In a seminar between the allied inds and the now established United World Government, the State questioned.


    "How does a state join the ranks of the United World Government?"


    The State of Minos was the longest and nearest partner of the United Navy. Politics was something they have learned and understood greatly. They have also learned of the importance that the United Navy held. What it had that they didn''t was a future.


    A future that they must attained.


    With this in mind, they weren''t hesitant in the suggestion of the abandonment of their own sovereignty in favor of being under the banner of the United World Government.


    Anyhow, their question was answered in satisfactory. The ability for an independent state to join the ranks of the United World Government was avable. However, the following requirements must be followed before hand.


    The independent state must not be in the influence of war. It cannot dere war without the permission of the World Government, otherwise, it will fight its own battle alone. However, once a state was attacked unprovoked by a hostile entity, the United World Government must protect it.


    Not only that, the independent state must have a tinge of economic stability and must not participate in crimes against sapience. The CaS or Crimes against Sapience was akin to the writtenw regarding crimes against humanity.


    Due to the wide range of sapient species in the world, it was transitioned to epassed all sapient life, humanoid or nonhumanoid. However, for such protection toe to be, the spoken species must be a sapient one.


    Although not a requirement, the aspects of sapient specieses in three departments. The establishment of a society, the existence of anguage, and the formation of clique. With these three, one can assess a species to be sapient.


    However, the Crimes against Sapience and the sapience species were a whole cans of worms that had to be dealt with thoroughly instead of immediately.


    The requirements to join under the banner of the United World Government as a state wasn''t explicitly detailed as to leave room for interpretations in the broader future. Because of this, the State of Minos, under the conference that was meant to rify thews pertaining the UWG, became its first fourth state.


    The consolidation of the State of Minos as part of the United World Government was immediate yet steady. The World Government was already used to working with thewmakers of the State of Minos. The status quo wasn''t changed much, practically maintained since the beginning.


    The State of Minos would be semi-independent as it has its own local government to govern the ind. However, the State Government must follow thews stated by the WG, although some can be interpreted as long as it follows thews quite generally.


    Naturally, the Ind Archipgo and the Southern Austerus had also given their vote to join the United World Government. The leader of the Liberation Front, Hermona, understood the importance of a powerhouse behind them.


    The industrial and economic power of the United Navy, now officially known as the United World Government, also wasn''t to be underestimated. As long as the Ind Archipgo advances under the banner of the UWG, economic stability and society growth was already a natural.


    The leader of the Bestian Confederacy, the supposed country of Southern Austerus had the same thoughts as well.


    However, the two were rejected in their proposals of joining the ranks of the United World Government. The newly-elected Prime Minister of the UWG concluded their supposed countries to be not up to the barebones requirement of the World Government.


    The Ind Archipgo hadn''t established a country of its own, continuing to perpetuate the existence of the tribes that resided within the inds. There was no central government, and there was no economic stability to measure.


    The internal politics were also rough with the tribe chiefs being somewhat indicant with working together once again after defeating the Colonial Dominion of Terra. ording to them, they were already settled with working alone.


    As such, the Ind Archipgo had no perquisites to join the United World Government as a proper state.


    On the other hand, the Bestian Confederacy was even in the worser circumstance than the fragmented Ind Archipgo. The Bestian Government was barely in control of 35% of the Southern Austerus with several warlords controlling the rest of thendmass.


    The Southern Austerus was fully brimmed with beastfolk of all kinds. After the rebellion that decimated the entirety of the southern ind, the poption hadn''t explicitly bared its fangs towards the United World Government.


    They were also purist, with a particr dislike with humans and those that dared to mix with them. The situation in the south wasplicated. It might need decades of rehabilitation to work, however, the United World Government cannot ept the confederacy nheless.


    The reason why the Bestian Confederacy wanted to join to begin with was simple clear. It was dragged along the United World Government in their conflict against the southern warlords. There was also the benefit of economic and structural growth thates along as a state of the UWG.


    However, being in another conflict and supporting a lone government in that conflict was already something that most of the higher echelons in the United World Government had seen in their former world. The conclusion of such endeavors were poor, giving them little to no confidence.


    Nheless, the two not-so-functional states were expounded greatly of why they weren''t easily epted like the State of Minos. The reasons were rified and simplified, assuring that they could understand it well.


    Despite the disappointments and annoyance of the two states, the reasons were understandable and were already pronounced in the former rification of what may be considered as a state that could join.


    This was the first two weeksof the United World Government, which was a lot calmer than they had previously thought. Perhaps they had underestimated the influence they had over their allies, though advancement and growth was what they were focused at.


    The Fleet Admiral of the United Navy began the introduction of artificial inds. No one in the United World Government knew how they came to be, not even the higher echelons who were usually privy with national secrets.


    These artificial inds were separated into three distinct types. The Ind Cities, the Agricultural Inds, and the Industrial Inds. Most of the artificial inds that the highest authority had introduced were Agricultural and Industrial Inds that would propel the economic advancement of the UWG.


    There were also some Ind Cities brought about by the fleet admiral. These cities were the newest states in addition to the central government of the UWG. Their names were Sris, Aurora, and Selene. The three Artificial Ind Cities with each consisting of a hundred thousand in poption.


    Their existence further advanced the influence of the United World Government as it had now be the majority in the sea region of Terra. The inclusion of beastfolk immigrants also aided the growth of the poption, though the process was regted by the WG.


    The sea region had now been heavily patrolled with frigates under the United Navy, maintaining the security of the UWG Territory as the smugglers and pirates continued to surged into the sea with the Colonial Dominion leaving a power vacuum.


    It was fortunate that the United World Government quickly filled the power vacuum, however the influence of the Colonial Dominion was something that not even the newly-established nation could rival.


    Following the inception of the artificial inds was also the emergence of the Seventh Fleet. It was thergest fleet in the United Navy, which had be the symbol of the United World Government''s authority over the sea.


    The existence of the Seventh Fleet made sure that no immediate counter attack from the continent of Europa woulde to be. Not only that, the Seventh Fleet was also modified to meet the new optimized standards of the United Navy.


    Each warship would be equipped with Advanced Systematic Barrier Control and the Runic Barrier Array. The existence of this two practically revolutionized naval warfare like how guided missiles turned the 20th century naval code upside down.


    Although the endeavor would take some time and would be somewhat expensive undertake. Nevertheless, for the Fleet Admiral, there was no such thing as impossible.

 Chapter 214: | 214 | TIMESKIP: Part Two - Trade and Economy

    Economy was aplex yet simple matter. It stands upon the foundation of logistics, manufacturing, and trust. The United World Government had be the economic powerhouse of the sea region of Terra. Not merely because of their unrivalled naval power, but through their fleet of cargo ships.


    After the establishment of the UWG, the fleet admiral introduced the As Corporation. A massive privatepany under the grasped of the United World Government. The reason for the divide of state-owned enterprises was to assure they wouldn''t be affected by the prescribed tariffs of their supposed neighbors.


    Whether it''d be what remained of the allied inds, or the factions outside of the sea region.


    However, most importantly, within the As Corporation was the donated cargo ships of the fleet admiral. The cargo ships were generally ssified as container ships, ensuring the deliverance of goods between inds.


    The As Corporation has also purchased private ports in the inds of the Archipgo and the Southern Austerus, securing the proper trade of goods. The private ports were quickly constructed, bringing about the influence of the corporation into the allied inds.


    And the sway of the United World Government into the surroundings as a whole.


    Anyhow, like before with the United Navy, the As Corporation purchases the goods of local merchants with respectable prices, transporting them back to the United World Government after confirming their contents.


    These goods would be sold to the wider poption of the UWG, a bit costlier than the local prices of whence it came from. Some goods from the allied inds were popr, whether it''d be the products of tribes in the Archipgo or the archaic hunting bows of Austerus.


    Not only that, the As Corporation also offered products to the locals of the allied inds. From themodity of hygiene and beauty care products, to the farming fertilizers and pesticides that assured the growth of crops.


    The cirction of goods proved worthwhile, advancing the economy of the United World Government into greater heights than ever before.


    However, the United World Government hadn''t remained passive after its establishment. It had donated schools into thends of the Archipgo and the vastndscape of Austerus. The pursuit of knowledge was of importance in regards to the government of the two allied inds.


    The Pgus Union, was a nation established under the league of five tribes within the Archipgo of Inds. Its president was the leader of the Liberation Front, Hermona, bing the first human leader of a beastfolk poption. Without very, of course.


    The Union was fairly an influential country within the sea region of Terra. It might be the second behind the United World Government, above the Bestian Confederacy in terms of stability and poption satisfaction.


    President Hermona had led the poption of the Union to build a great country. With the knowledge of the United World Government seeding into the poption, it had be the second-most democratic nation in the sea region.


    ording to the Pgus Government, the terms of a president merelysted a decade, signifying change in the following decade, bringing forth to a new era. At the moment, President Hermona was the authority of the Pgus Union with Leonidas as her Chief of Staff and Tora as the Secretary of Defense.


    Her party was the Liberation Front Party, a namesake of the revolutionaries that fought against the control of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It was the most popr party in the Pgus Union, and the only one with real authority.


    However, there was a reason why the Pgus Union maintained its independence from the United World Government. They didn''t choose to be disjoined from the World Government. They had propose the idea over and over again, understanding the importance of the UWG in their society.


    Unfortunately, the United World Government had declined their offers to join as despite their economic stability and a satisfied popce, the Pgus Union was currently at war against the Dominion of Tier.


    The Dominion of Tier was a troublesome country constructed by the unification of the two tribes that decided to separate from the Liberation Front and the Pgus Union. These two tribes were the rat and crocodile beastfolks, whose leaders were disgruntled with thews forced upon them.


    Some intelligence say that very towards humanity was legal in the Dominion of Tier, however, no one in the country would actively practice very. After all, a giant loomed over them, the United World Government.


    The UWG has maintained its stance of sapient freedom, signifying the clear disdain over very regardless of the reasons. The Prime Minister of the United World Government had personally warned the Dominion to stay clear of Crimes against Sapience.


    Otherwise, the military might would befall before the country.


    The supreme leaders of the Dominion understood the power that the UWG held. They had seen what it was capable before as the United Navy. With it growing ever stronger now, it was difficult to imagine standing against it.


    Sadly, though, the Dominion of Tier had dered war against the Pgus Union. Not giving it a chance to join the ranks of the United World Government, in fear of having the UWG in their borders.


    shes between the seas were the usual in the Ind Archipgo. Beastfolk Pirates seemed to reign supreme as there were rarely UWG ships patrolling the waters that wasn''t theirs. This brought about a greater rift between the ind nations, escting the conflict into a full-blown war.


    War was officially dered from the government of the Pgus Union towards the ruling party of the Dominion of Tier. It originated from the fact that an ind vige had been massacred by the invading parties of the Dominion.


    The ind vige was burned from evening to dawn, living nothing but crumbled ashes behind. The ckened corpses reminded anyone that perceives it the horrors of what came along in that very night.


    President Hermona dered the formation of the Union Military and Navy, which had been secretly built up and supported by the United World Government. Many personnel in the Union Navy had been directly trained in the naval academies of Dawn City, signifying the closeness of the two neighbors.


    The Union Military and Navy were also sold WW2-era vehicles from steel battleships to Sherman tanks. That''s right. The United World Government had opened the military industry, focused in selling arms to allies or neutral parties.


    These armaments were usually of past eras, which was perfect for the Beastfolks to adapt. After all, the operation of advanced modern warships required years of dedication in the naval subject of warfare. Because of how simple to maintain these old technologies were, it was easier for newly-established nations to operate.


    At any rate, the Dominion of Tier were in for troubling conflict.


    ...


    Somewhere in the Ind Archipgo, a ck Hawk soared through the skies, carrying Navy SEALs directly deployed from UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. They were sent on a confidential operation, dealingplications that the Dominion have brought to theirnds.


    Inside the interiors of the ck Hawk, First-ss Petty Officer Ben gazed upon the tablet in his hands, reading through the information written on it. The operation waspletely confidential as it wouldplicate the position of the United World Government if brought to light.


    He was the squad leader of SEAL Team 3, designated in the nuclear carrier, Trident of Neptune. Their mission was of sensitive matters as such it must be quick and stealthy as to notplicate the situation.


    "Let us start with debriefing." Ben calmly announced, attracting the attention of his colleagues. A calm yet serious expression consumed his face as he continued. "Our intelligence has discovered a suspicious activity in the northernmost ind of the Dominion."


    "They were discreet in their actions, and there were also traces of magicraft. Our reconnaissance drones have discovered the existence of unrecorded ports that popped up out of nowhere. And in these ports were warships from a nearby neighbor, the Colonial Dominion of Mavors."


    "ording to our evidences, it is clear that the Dominion of Tier has positioned themselves with Mavors, signifying where they wanted their future to be headed." He halted for a short moment, making sure his men could take in the information efficiently.


    "Our operation is codenamed Carnwennan with the directives of assuring the non-existential status of the port. The discreet ports that facilitates the trade between the Dominion of Tier and the Colonial Dominion of Mavors must be erased from the map."


    "SEAL Team 3 has been sent, with operatives ranging over a hundred. We are amongst them, and we will be handling a port northwest from our location along with another squad from the Special Response Division." Upon hearing the Special Response Unit, some of the Navy SEALs grunted.


    The Special Response Division was amongst the special forces of the United World Government. They originated from the Special Response Unit, led by Lieutenant Colonel Lace. Who had, after the final battle between the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy, been promoted into Major General.


    The capabilities of Major General Lace couldn''t be underestimated. She was considered to be the strongest sword of the fleet admiral, and his lover.


    The SRD had be quite a legend in the poption of the United World Government, leaving some special task forces a bit annoyed since the division appeared to be always in the spotlight. At any rate, there was nothing he could do about it.


    The Special Response Division had been tasked to deal with magicraft and its users. It was the reason of their creation and why they had been trained through a death training by the Dragon of Liberation. It was to fight against people that didn''t make sense.


    "Nheless, we must keep our attention towards our targets. Everyone in the port that isn''t ours and hostiles must be eliminated. No witness must remain. And the cargos inside the ports must be transported out as quick as possible."


    "Understood!?"


    The Navy SEALs gave their organization''s respective salute.

 Chapter 215: | 215 | TIMESKIP: Part Three - Neighbors

    After the concluding defeat of the Colonial Dominion of Terra, and the following establishment of the United World Government. The sea region of Terra had be the center of attention in the Ferus Sea, signifying the change in thendscape of sovereignty.


    The sea region of Terra had three neighbors, each with their own beliefs, government, and ambition. These neighbors had different thoughts from one another, whether it''d be interest, cautiousness, and outright disdain.


    Amongst the neighbors was the Colonial Dominion of Mavors, residing in the northwest of the sea region. It neighbored the northern sea of the Ind Archipgo and the west of the now, transformed, City of Gaea, formerly known as Terra.


    The Colonial Dominion of Mavors was a spectacrlyrge faction with military, economy, and poption much bigger than the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Beyond Mavors was also the infamous Frontier, a part of the Ferus Sea free from the control of humanity.


    After the disappointing defeat of Terra, the Colonial Dominion of Mavors had been putting their interest in the sea region of Terra. With the former Colonial Dominion gone, perhaps they could conquer the sea considered to be the Gate to Europa.


    However, Mavors was far from a foolish faction. They had fought against the kingdoms of the Frontier, even surviving the onught of the Revolting Tide. It was a dominion that had survived countless wars, its armada forged from the blood of its enemies.


    The capabilities of the now-established United World Government wasn''t to be underestimated. Despite being a newly-created country, it already had gotten a stable economy and powerful military.


    One would have previously thought of it as an awakening empire if not for the fact that the substantial growth of the United Navy had been greatly observed by the Magus Tower.


    At any rate, their strategies were sly, venomous like a snake. They wouldn''t fight against a near-peer opponent head-on, and would use horrid tactics to break their adversary from the inside. It was for this reason why they had contacted the Dominion of Tier.


    Other than the Colonial Dominion of Mavors, there was also the Protectorate of Nox. It was homed of the Crescent Worshipers, the faithful believers of the Moon Sovereign, Kaguya. They had considered themselves as humble servants of the Sovereign, serving her as their only god.


    The Protectorate of Nox was filled to the brim with fanatic worshipers of the moon. However, as long as you don''t directly sh against their beliefs. They would remain neutral, uncaring of the world around them.


    Though, if they heard about a kingdom tarnishing their goddess. They would begin a lunar crusade and assure the foolish kingdom the power of their goddess. Whether it''d be through blood or destruction.


    Their opinions regarding the United World Government were of cautiousness as they were curious as to why their goddess had given them a covenant of not starting anything against the newly-established country.


    But despite their curiosity and cautiousness regarding the matter, they knew more than to question the will of the Moon Sovereign.


    The economy and military power of the protectorate was the strongest in the short list of neighbors that surrounded the United World Government. For some unknown reason, the trading routes of the protectorate could go through the Frontier unimpeded.


    Whether it was an unknown secret deal between the protectorate and the kingdoms, or the mere blessing of the Moon Sovereign alone, remained a question. What was clear, however, was their wealthynd and people.


    Making them amongst the ones that could stand against the UWG, and perhaps crush them. Though, it all depends on the uppermost cards in the deck. How much does the Protectorate have? And could they defeat the cards of the United World Government?


    Anyhow, thest of the three neighbors was the Kingdom of Vesta. The kingdom was a peculiarity in the Ferus Sea. It wasn''t because of the fact that it had a strong, unrivalled military, or endless, wealth of an economy. It was the simple fact that it was ordinary.


    The Kingdom of Vesta was the only actual human country in the Ferus Sea. They were already there before the great colonization into the New World. The popce of the kingdom and its monarch was rather a peaceful bunch, which made Europa ept them with open arms.


    Their economy wasn''t the strongest in the sea, but it also wasn''t the weakest. It was simply enough for the people in the country to live a good life. The monarch was, ording to rumors, over three hundred years old.


    He was the first and current ruler of the kingdom, making many wonder what secrets it may hide within. Did he discovered a way to immortality, or was he a legendary Magus of the Magus Tower? Many questions emerge when speaking about the Monarch of Vesta.


    However, one thing was clear. The Kingdom of Vesta was amongst the rare human countries untainted by the horrendous culture of Europa. There were no ves, at the very least, confirmed sightings of beastfolk or human ves.


    The kingdom relied on its local products, which had be popr in the continent of Europa. With it alone, the country was set in the future as a stable nation for generations toe.


    Now, some might wonder. What thoughts or opinions does it hold towards the United World Government. Well, the answer to that question was as straightforward as it goes.


    It was none other than Interest.


    They were interested of a human-led country with the beastfolks as part of the poption. They were curious as to how this country manage to repel the Colonial Dominion that it stood on. Myths, legends, and stories echoed across the sea, scattered by sailors who have gone through the UWG.


    The Dragon of Liberation had be a centermost part of the attention, along with the so-called Authority. Many thought of the Authority as the fleet admiral of the United Navy, who hadn''t made an appearance since the establishment of the nation.


    Others thought it was merely the second identity of the Dragon of Liberation. Nheless, one thing was clear. The Authority stood at the highest of the United World Government, a god-like figure, rivalling the Sovereigns of Europa.


    His will stands above all voices below him. His words would make the United World Government act. His actions would bring forth a new era to the sea region of Terra. With sailors spreading the myths and legends about the Authority, his fame skyrocketed and became akin to an epic.


    The Kingdom of Vesta desired to meet the Authority. The Monarch wanted to have a talk with this figure, desiring to know the thoughts or ns he may have towards the Ferus Sea, and perhaps the world.


    But, the Kingdom of Vesta remained quiet despite their obvious interest towards the United World Government. After all, destiny would bring the two together. The United World Government woulde knocking on their doorstep, and their interest would be satiated at that moment.


    For now, observe and continue to live as life calls it. Time was a vast path of endless possibilities and futures. Patience and determination, the key of a good life. The motto for a typical Vestan.


    ...


    In the apex of the tower that pierced through the heavens, Citadel. The metallic doors of an elevator slid open, revealing a gorgeousdy with ash-blond hair. Her grayish eyes narrowed as she stepped forward into the home of the so-called Authority.


    "Charlotte, it has been a while." The beautifuldy, or Charlotte, heard nonchnt voice of the man she despised yet loved the most. Primarily for the fact that he was rarely working. Nevertheless, she walked forward, meeting the middle-aged man lounging on afy, opulent-looking chair.


    His gaze was pointed at the dome-like structure that encapsted the tower, the Foundation, while he gently swirled his wine of ss.


    He slowly turned towards Charlotte, a hardworking friend of his. A smile remained on his face as he continued speaking. "Or should I call you... Prime Minister?"


    Following the establishment of the United World Government, Charlotte was promoted to be the Prime Minister after receiving most of the votes from the poption. It appears that beyond her identity as the Vice Admiral, she was quite popr amongst the poption for helping them adjust into the new world.


    Despite the obvious loyalty of the personnel towards Abraham, adapting to the realities of a foreign world far beyond their modern counterpart was something difficult for many to swallow. Even though they maintained their calm before the fleet admiral, their anxiousness was clear for all to see.


    Especially to the Vice Admiral. As such, Charlotte conducted psychological examinations by hiring psychiatrist or those with experience in handling the matters of the mind. Most of the personnel were carefully given these examinations, helping them adapt and trying to also understand them.


    It was a long-winded endeavor, but perhaps the simple act of helping others to steer clear from being lost was enough for someone tond in the spot as the Prime Minister of the United World Government.


    "Funny, Abraham. Is this revenge for turning you as the so-called Authority? I didn''t even know I was part of the candidates as the Prime Minister." Charlotte sarcastically chuckled, cing her hand on her hips.


    "Sorry about that, I''m quite a vengeful one, you see..." Abraham grinned, further swirling the wine of ss in-between his fingers. He gazed at the beautiful face of Charlotte and asked. "So, how may I help you, Mdy?"


    Charlotte raised her eyebrows, but soon smirked as what was about toe would wipe that grin off his face. Inclining her body forward, she whispered into the ears of Abraham.


    "The problem dragon is pregnant."

 Chapter 216: | 216 | TIMESKIP: Part Four - The Dragons Pregnant?

    The wine of ss tightly held between his fingers slipped and fell to the floor in mere moments. Abraham was entirely frozen, as though he had learned a petrifying discovery. When Charlotte saw his reaction, she couldn''t help but lightly chuckle as she took a step back.


    "H-How can this be?" He mumbled to himself, unable to believe the information that had escaped the supple lips of the Prime Minister. On the other hand, Charlotte raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms while staring at him with a judgmental gaze.


    "You have a gal to say that for someone who''s f*cking her every day since the establishment of UWG." She remarked, disappointed by the words of Abraham. "The two of you didn''t even use contraceptives, so I don''t see why you''re so surprised."


    "But..." Abraham found himself in a precarious situation, though he realized something crucial. "Wait, how the hell do you even have such an information?" Their time together should be a secret. He made sure of it as their hyperactivity wouldn''t do good for their image.


    Charlotte avoided his gaze and quietly replied. "Ask her..." She was a bit annoyed as she remembered how she had gotten such intel. ''That damn problem dragon''s alwaysplimenting your skills in making her feel beyond satisfied.''


    Lace''s pregnancy was an inevitable reality. The moment Abraham understood this simple fact. He stood up with a serious expression stered on his face. After all, this was an urgent situation, which he must immediately handle.


    "Charlotte, where is she?" He questioned the gorgeousdy whose exasperation faded and reced with a soft smile. Lace should be in Dawn City, taken care of by the greatest doctors in the United World Government."


    Her reply echoed into his ears as a destination formed inside his mind.


    "Please prepare a C-130 for me. I need to reach the city in half an hour." Abraham wore his coat and straightened his back. Time was running for him. He needed to be there fast for his wife. "I have already made the preparation, Abraham."


    "A ne should be ready for you in the airfield." Charlotte had already arranged the transport of Abraham. She understood how important would it be to be there for their loved ones. Though, from his expression alone, one would have misunderstood the problem dragon to be giving birth.


    "Thank you for your assistance, Charlotte. I''ll treat you next time." Abraham smiled at the Prime Minister, appreciating her remarkable intelligence in such matters. "I''ll take the favor, Abraham. Take care, and please be there for Lace." She gave him a thumbs up as he swiftly left the office.


    After he left, silence consumed the office and home of the Authority. The title was a result of the understanding regarding how much power he held over the United World Government. It wasn''t to be underestimated as it was the highest.


    "It does make me wonder how it feels." Charlotte touched her abdomen with her imagination running wild inside her mind. She quickly shook her head and calmed herself from such fantasies.


    On the other hand, in the southern airfield of the instation. A C-130 was on the runway ready for take off. Its cargo hadn''t arrived yet, but it was already throttling its engines forward. The aviation officers nced in the emptyndscape that surrounded the airfield while the ne slowly moved onward.


    "The Authority should be here in a minute." One of the aviation officers uttered while ncing at his watch. A silhouette soon emerged from the horizon, heading towards them as a blur. Abraham instantly appeared inside the C-130, dusting off his coat with a smile directed at his personnel.


    "Let''s take our leave." His control over his power had increased over time. The efficiency and regtion of his ability had advanced leap and bounds, giving him the ability to move without affecting his environment.


    The aviation officers quickly nodded and signaled the aviation pilot to begin transport. The pilot softly nodded and pushed the throttle further forward, increasing the speed of the transport aircraft.


    It didn''t take long for the aircraft to be up in the air, soaring through the skies. Abraham calmly watched through the windows as the Citadel became farther and farther from him. Ever since the establishment of the United World Government, he had been spending most of his time in the tower.


    It wasn''t because of the luxury that the Citadel provided. Instead, it was the simple fact that he had been given another Naval Task after the creation of the country. The Naval Task was fairly simple. It was to give the United World Governmentplete autonomy without him directly affecting it.


    The moment he gives orders that would affect the country. The Naval Task would be considered as a failure, giving him no chances to get its reward. But one might wonder, was the reward worth it?


    Well, the reward wasn''t the usual Naval Point, Asset, or Warship. It had more simrities of the training that Systema had given him. It was another Personal-Power, which was ording to Systema, much stronger than Superhuman.


    Superhuman was already strong enough for him. Although it might not be capable of handling the Apostles or the Sovereigns themselves, it was enough for taking care of the most. But another Personal-Power in his arsenal was always an added benefit for Abraham.


    And besides... The inaction of himself and the autonomy he had given to the United World Government brought about an intriguing experience. To be honest, at first, it was difficult to control himself from directly giving an order.


    He wanted to guide the country himself, assuring its substantial growth and the advancement of its capabilities to fight against the world that surrounds it. However, it appears that he had underestimated his subordinates.


    They were intelligent, skilled, and had the same ideas as him. The moment he dered his inactiveness in the political, social, and military sphere of the United World Government. The personnel inside immediately acted in autonomy from his orders.


    "Sir, we are directly above Dawn City. Should we head to the nearby airport?" An aviation officer respectfully asked the Authority of the United World Government. Hearing his words, Abraham calmly shook his head as he had another idea in mind.


    "Landing on an airport would take too long. I was just told that my wife is pregnant, so I shouldn''t make her dawdle." He smirked at the aviation officers and ordered. "Open the ramp and let me leave." One might think that the aviation officers would immediately reject him.


    After all, it would be maddening to jump from an aircraft without applying the protocols and equipping a parachute. However, the one before them was the Authority. They have heard of stories from their fellow colleagues about what he had done in the Naval Battle of Terra.


    With this in mind, the aviation officers promptly nodded and opened the ramp of the C-130. The rms red out as crimson lights shed in and out of existence. Abraham stood up from his seat and gazed at the city below them.


    The Dawn City was a metropolis born from the Port of Dawn. After Abraham had upgraded it to its third level, a massive city sprung up into the maind of Crescere. The Dawn City was the most beastfolk-popted city in the United World Government, with 60% of the poption being beastfolk.


    He wondered how such a thing happened. But regarded it as the reproducing abilities of the Beastfolk being a league of its own. The families of Beastfolks wererge with the average consisting of 10 family members.


    It made the poption of Beastfolks younger, but also easier for the United World Government to educate the values of freedom, respect, and loyalty. Peace had been the usual in Dawn City, especially with Lace being its Guardian Deity.


    That''s right. Although met with hesitance, Lace epted the title as the Guardian Deity of Dawn. With her around, it was difficult for crime-minded individuals to sprung up even with migration constantly circting in the city.


    There was no hiding with her around.


    "It''s as beautiful as ever." Abraham muttered to himself gazing at the twinkling skylines of the metropolis. He nced back at the aviation officers, who merely gave him a nod. He nodded back at them and didn''t hesitate to jump from the soaring aircraft.


    Meanwhile...


    Inside of the Dawn General Hospital, Lace found herselfying on a soft andfortable bed, gazing through the balcony of her room. Her medical room was riddled with advanced protection barriers, not with the intention of protecting her, but to assure that the hospital doesn''t copse.


    "I can''t believe I threw outva from my mouth..." Lace shook her head and wryly smiled. The discovery of her pregnancy was somewhat hrious. While checking the reports of the Special Response Division, she haphazardly threw upva, spilling them throughout the floor.


    Her subordinates quickly noticed the urgent circumstance and assisted her into the hospital. Some even got burnt trying to help her. After all,va was quite a hot and dangerous substance to vomit all about.


    What was even funnier was the simple fact that the doctors giving her a check up needed dozens of protection barriers, guaranteeing that they would be able to keep their lives in the process of understanding her condition. After all,va wasn''t to be underestimated.


    Lace sighed and stared at the windows as the edges of her lips rose. "Took you long enough, Abraham." From the balcony, Abraham stepped inside with raised eyebrows. He wondered why a balcony was in a hospital room, but before inquiring about that, his wife was of utmost importance.


    "How does it feel to put a baby in a dragon, My Love?" Lace softly smiled at the so-called Authority, who felt chills in his spine.

 Chapter 217: | 217 | TIMESKIP FLASHBACK: Part Five - The Marriage between Man and Dragon

    Several months ago, before the dered pregnancy of the Dragon of Liberation. The United World Government had just been established by the United Navy, prompting about an election going on in the background. Peace had permeated throughout the sea region of Terra, making the challenges that they faced worthwhile.


    Somewhere in the ind of Crescere, the fleet admiral was walking along the vast ins of the eastern grasnd with the dragoness right beside him. Calmness enveloped the two of them as they continued strolling aimlessly in the evergreenndscape.


    Now that they had received their well-deserved tranquility after the conclusion of the final battle in Terra, the two had decided to give themselves time with one another. After all, the war against the Colonial Dominion made them far too busy.


    Abraham sauntered along the endless greenery, though while doing so, he took noticed of Lace''s serene smile. It was a smile that he had wished to see once again. It seems that it hade true.


    The edges of his lips rose as hemented to the entranced dragoness. "Does the scenery interest you, Lace?" Hearing his calm voice, Lace stepped out of her trance, her gazeying into the handsome face of her lover. "It''s beautiful, Abraham."


    "The simplest things really shine after a difficult time." She continued, remarking how much of a treasure peace was after experiencing war and conflict against another country. Lace thought she was already used to warfare.


    However, it seems that she overestimated herself.


    "And beauty shimmers when you smile." Abraham stated with a smile, causing the cheeks of the dragoness to be tinted in crimson red. She pouted at the middle-aged man and muttered. "You and your words. You really know how to make me fall in love to you all over again."


    "What can I say. My dragon loves me." He smirked at the dragoness, feeling a surge of confidence and determination. There was a mission he had to do. He had postponed this mission because of the recent war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    But with the Colonial Dominion defeated and peace finally regained. It was time to continue the mission he had resolved himself to aplish.


    "My, my, quite a confident one aren''t you~?" Lace lightly chuckled while she kept strolling in the field of grasnd that epassed the two of them. Abraham escorted her, responding to her remarks with a smile. "Confidence is the key, especially when you have a dragon as your lover."


    "Oh~? Are you implying that your confidence stems from the fact that I''m a dragon." Lace grinned, cing her fingers below her lover''s chin. Abraham held her pale and soft hand, kissing it with grace. "My confidencees from the fact that you are my Lace."


    "It has been a while since I have been this nervous. It''s not the embarrassing type of anxiousness, it''s something else." He continued and took out something from his pocket. It was a ssical wooden box, woven with intricate patterns resembling a dragon.


    "In my world, Lace... There is an oath. A promise of love, the deep affection from your heart and theirs. The vowes from a wooden box, its meaning veiled inside." Abraham slowly kneeled and opened the small wooden box with tenderness.


    Inside was an engagement ring, it wasn''t the most expensive, nor was it the most beautiful ornament in existence. It was merely a jet-ck ring, nothing more, nothing less. However, for the dragoness, it was more than enough.


    After all, she understood what it symbolized as.


    "You might be confused, after all, this is-" Abraham understood the cultural difference between two worlds. But before he could continue speaking, Lace threw herself to the middle-aged man, hugging him tightly as possible.


    He felt pressure starting topress his body, though he remained still, smiling despite oppression brought about by the dragoness''s intimate hug. Most of all, he felt droplets of tears dripping from his shoulder, making him hug her with rivalling fondness.


    "Thank you... Thank you very much, Abraham! I love you, I love it~!" The dragoness, who always prided herself as the apex of all existence, also wished for things that she thought only mortals could enjoy.


    Whether it be love, a family, or a fond rtionship until death.


    These were concepts she thought to be impossible to gain. After all, she was far too different from those around her. Far too unique, far too strong, and far too arrogant. However, as always, Abraham had proven her wrong once again.


    And she was happy.


    "Will you marry me, Lace?" Abraham gazed at the golden reddish eyes of the dragoness, twinkling with beauty he had never seen before. The dragoness couldn''t stop herself from sobbing, though she uttered what he wanted to hear the most. "Y-Yes~! I''ll marry you, Abraham."


    He didn''t hesitate anymore, as he softly kissed the dragoness on her supple lips. A kiss wasn''t that special for the two of them, it was merely a sign of their affection between one another. Though, for some reason, this kiss felt different for him.


    ''It seems that I really love her.''


    ...


    In the calm waters of an all-epassing sea. The entire fleet of the United Navy gathered into one location, filling one patch of the ocean to the brim with warships and ships alike. A few months had already passed since Abraham proposed to Lace.


    And it was already time.


    *Ding!!!* *Ding!!!* *Ding!!!*


    A bell chimed with a resounding voice, echoing throughout the heavens above and the seas below. Everyone aboard the warships and ships wore formal attires, signifying the importance of the gathering.


    To be honest, its significance far outweighs the reverberating circumstance of the sea region of Terra. Whether it''d be the foreign countries outside of the sea region, or newly-established neighboring nations. All of them had given a much needed peace and quiet.


    After all, it was the marriage ceremony of the highest Authority and the Dragon of Liberation. Individuals whose influence go far and wide in the Ferus Sea.


    In the bow of the UNS Trinity of Sce, Old Julius stood with a priest-like uniform. A smile arched on his face as the marriage now would shape the history of this world. He was honored to be the one guiding it.


    Surrounding the beautiful tform riddled with flowers and antiquity were the colleagues of the two. They were quite a hefty bunch from different yet important backgrounds.


    The lieutenantmanders stood side by side, the rear admiral along with the captains of the fleet grouped up together. The first Marines who trained alongside the fleet admiral. And there were even some from the outside, which consisted of the Liberation Front and the entourage of Minos.


    Abraham stood in the tform, wearing a ck suit along with a calm smile. This was his first marriage, his first experience in advancing a rtionship into a much deeper level.


    The boisterous bells chimed once again as the guests made way of the bride in the ceremony. Lace serenely walked through the velvet carpetsid down on the floor. She stood tall, her smile riddled with radiance and pride.


    Upon seeing her, Abraham couldn''t help but wonder if there would be a time when he would get used to her beauty. No matter how much time had passed. His daze-like reaction to Lace was a difficult habit to change. Though, it''s not like he wanted to alter it at all.


    As Lace stood in front of Abraham, the two of them smiled at one another. Their gaze was only at each other, as if the world surrounding the two didn''t exist.


    Old Julius straightened his back, about to begin the most importance part of the ceremony. He observed the couple with satisfaction, delighted of what their future would be, and finally uttered the following words.


    "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two hearts, Mr. Abraham and Ms. Lace, as they embark on the sacred journey of marriage. Their love, nurtured by trust, understanding, and faith, has brought them to this beautiful moment."


    "Today, in the presence of the World that surrounds us and their cherished loved ones, they will pledge their lives to each other." Old Julius dered with a captivating voice, resounding throughout the sea like a promation to the world. He then gazed at Abraham and continued.


    "Mr. Abraham, do you take Ms. Lace to be yourwfully wedded wife? Will you love her, honor her, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?" The guest awaited for his answer.


    Abraham smiled fondly at Lace and answered. "I do," The audience that surrounded them were barely stopping themselves from abruptly apuding as they awaited the finale of the ceremony. Old Julius turned his gaze towards the dragoness and carried on.


    "Ms. Lace, do you take Mr. Abraham to be yourwfully wedded husband? Will you love him, honor him, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?" The old one''s words were as resounding as before.


    Lace''s golden eyes shimmered with unbridled satisfaction as she calmly gave her answer. "I do," The marriage had been given its rightful conclusion, bringing about excitement throughout the sea that surrounded them.


    "Having exchanged these sacred vows, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!" Old Julius nodded at the two of them, giving way for the two to close their vows.


    Abraham and Lace didn''t have a tinge of hesitation as they affectionately kissed one another in the middle of the tform. The guests that surrounded them began to apuse while camera-crews gave live feeds for the entire poption of the United World Government.


    Old Julius raised his hands and dered with his utmost resolve.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to present to you, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd!"

 Chapter 218: | 218 | TIMESKIP: Part Six - Complexities of Pregnancy

    It was in midnight when the Dragon of Liberation went into slumber. It was a highly-confidential news that not even the highest-echelons of the United World Government knew. There were only three individuals with awareness of what had happened.


    First was the Dragon''s Husband, Abraham Shepherd. Second was the Dragon''s Best Friend, Charlotte. And third was the Dragon''s Trusted Attendee, Mercedes. The three of them were there when Lace announced her temporary departure from the United World Government.


    It happened in the twilight of evening, to which the three were called upon by the dragoness herself in the western shores of the ind of Crescere.


    "What do you mean by leaving, Lace?" Abraham uttered, confusing about the words escaping from his wife''s mouth. She had just gotten pregnant, it wouldn''t do good for her and their child to be travelling throughout the sea.


    "I meant what I have said, Abraham. I will be temporarily leaving the United World Government. I simply have no choice." Lace closed her eyelids, trying to avoid looking at the eyes of her husband. She had already made her decision, she didn''t want to leave in regrets.


    "But why? At the very least, I want to know why!" Abraham wondered if there was something wrong with him that caused Lace to leave. It made his deepest insecurities that should have been trampled long ago, arise from the bottom of his heart.


    Charlotte and Mercedes observed the arguing couple. Even though there were things they wanted to say, they felt that it was not their ce to intrude in the couple''s argument. After all, it was in regards to the rtionship between the two.


    It was something that they shall not infringe.


    "I''m pregnant, Abraham. You should know that I''m not a human or a beastfolk." Lace responded and exined the reasons of her departure. "My instincts are calling for destruction to the things nearby of me. I am barely controlling myself, otherwise Dawn City would have been burned into the ground long ago."


    "Time is running out for me. If I am near the United World Government or any kind of settlement, it won''t be long until I''ll instinctively destroy them without a tinge of mercy." The more words that escaped her supple lips, the more heavy the atmosphere became.


    "The birth of a dragon is aplicated matter, Abraham. I apologize that you couldn''t have a normal experien-" Lace gave her apologies with a wry smile, but was immediately interrupted by Abraham. "Don''t apologize! I didn''t marry you to act normal."


    "I understand... I''m not foolish. I know how painful it must be for you." Abraham softly smiled at his wife, whose tranquility was akin to the calm before the storm. A singe tear dripped from her golden eyes as she muttered. "Thank you for your understanding, My Love."


    "I''ll return immediately once I be normal." Lace dered with determination as she turned her gaze towards the two, who were merely observing the two of them. "Charlotte, Mercedes... Take care of this idiot and make sure that he doesn''t do anything foolish while I''m gone."


    Mercedes calmly nodded, understanding the weight of the matter. Charlotte sighed and answered. "That''s already a part of my job since the beginning. Assuring that the two of you don''t do anything stupid." She felt saddened at this farewell as it deeply ached her heart.


    "But... Lace. Take care of yourself, otherwise I''ll be joining him looking for you." Charlotte continued, gazing at the shimmering golden eyes of the dragoness. "Also, don''t fall to your instincts to no matter what."


    "Remain rational as you have done before. You are, after all, Lace Shepherd first, Dragon of Liberation second."


    "Thank you for your support, Charlotte. Take care of him." The edges of Lace''s lips rose as she gave the Prime Minister a hidden yet obvious wink. Charlotte couldn''t help but scoff while shaking her head exasperatedly.


    Lace turned her attention to Abraham who was in utter silence. His gaze was only at her as if imprinted the very image of her into his memory. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "There''s no need to be a worrywart, My Love."


    "It should only take several months to calm my instincts down." She gazed at Abraham''s anxious eyes and softly kissed his lips with a passionate embrace. After a short while, she took a step back and touched her abdomen.


    "I''ll be back, My Love." Without dy, Lace jumped towards the evening heavens and a radiant sh quickly followed. It blinded everyone and everything as a gargantuan eastern dragon slithered into the dark skies, heading towards the endless horizon.


    Silence encapsted the shores in which the dragoness left her three most trustedpanions. Abraham, Charlotte, and Mercedes could only watched as the silhouette of the eastern dragon be a dot of ck in the evening skies.


    A minute passed by before Mercedes straightened her back and saluted to the Authority of the United World Government. She couldn''t help but give a request to the middle-aged man. "Sir, can I take my leave?" Her words were straightforward.


    "You are dismiss, Director." Abraham replied, prompting the silver wolf to nod in understanding. Charlotte could only watch, unmoving, like a spectator. She wanted to do something, but couldn''t act on it. She was a coward, despite being the first Prime Minister of the UWG.


    There were many things she feared, and it was losing everything because of a decision. It was for this reason, despite her confidence in chasing after Abraham, she rarely acted upon her feelings regardless of the support of the dragoness.


    Besides, Charlotte knew that Abraham needed time alone. After all, his wife had just left to spare the United World Government the damnation of a dragon''s wrath.


    She slowly stepped back and uttered to the middle-aged man. "Apologies for not being able to help, Abraham. I won''t interrupt you." Charlotte walked away with heavy breathe, taking a glimpse of Abraham in each and every moment.


    Though, before she could take her dozen step away from Abraham. She remembered the trust that her friend had given to her. Charlotte knew what Lace''s words meant. But other than that, she also knew that Abraham wouldn''t dere a responsibility without reason.


    Through this thought process, Charlotte returned and caught Abraham''s hand, dragging him away from his former spot. It was a lot easier than she expected, though it made her realize that helplessness and weakness that Abraham felt.


    "Cha-Charlotte, what are you doing!?" Abraham''s escaped his helpless trance as he felt a pull that was making him move forward. His darkened eyes had some light of them return as he questioned the actions of the Prime Minister.


    "You need something to lighten up your mood. How about you pay the favor you owed before just recently. I already have a restaurant in mind." Charlotte softly smiled at the middle-aged man while dragging him away. It wasn''t her usual mood to be smiling, and it wasn''t the time to do so.


    But it was a needed expression to help the one she admired.


    "W-What!? When did I owe you a favor?" Abraham was confused, wondering where the favor came from. Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him in the eyes. "Don''t tell me you already forgot about it?"


    "Who do you think prepared you the C-130 you flew on to reach this ind?" Charlotte resisted the urge to grind his forehead for forgetting an important favor. Though, she halted herself and simply continued pulling him.


    Abraham couldn''t resist as his mind was still in the process of understanding the things going on. Everything had just happened to fast for him to even understand despite his evolved mind. The emotional toll of Lace''s departure was too difficult to manage for the middle-aged man.


    Charlotte couldn''t help but feel as though she had made a fool of herself. Her forced smile far from her usual self made her realized something important.


    ''Lace... How ruthless can you be? I can''t believe you wanted me to be the recement of your position in his life while you''re gone. A temporary puppet that would keep him in bay. However, I guess it''s the only thing I amount to.''


    The Prime Minister finally made the decision to dedicate herself into a choice, whether it was the right or wrong one would be for the future to answer. Though, one thing was clear. There was something she wanted to be. And it was to be the moon in his life.


    On the other hand, Mercedes felt tears dripping from her eyes. The departure of her superior had just brought some things in her mind to crash down. Her admiration towards Lace wasn''t to be underestimated. The dragon was her idol, an unstoppable figure in her life.


    The circumstance that brought her superior to leave the United World Government made Mercedes feel weak. It was as though there was nothing she could do, which she hated. After calming a part of her mind, a determine gaze escaped the silver wolf.


    "I will dedicate myself to your calling, Lady Lace." At this moment, she knew better than to disappoint the Dragon of Liberation. It was time to act.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the cold and ck-painted sea reflecting the brilliance of the twinkling stars. Mercedes kept slithering in the ck heavens trying to go as far as possible from the United World Government or any settlement in the Ferus Sea.


    While doing so, she could feel her consciousness waning. She understood that her instincts were beginning to take over. The Dragon of Domination was about to take control of her body. She wanted to fight back, reminding herself of her best friend''s advice.


    ''I can''t waste anymore time! I have to keep moving! I need to be quick!'' Her anxious thoughts resounding, trying to maintain a tinge of her consciousness. However, there was nothing she could do as her consciousness faded into a blip somewhere in the mind of the eastern dragon.


    The gargantuan eastern dragon kept slithering across the night skies, though its golden-eyes were reced by crimson-velvet ones, shimmering like scarlet stars in the night. Its growl resounded throughout the heavens and the earth as it finally opened its jaw, bellowing a thunderous roar.


    *ROARRR!!!*

 Chapter 219: | 219 | TIMESKIP: Part Seven - Passing Months

    The departure of the Dragon of Liberation from the ind of Crescere was secretive. Not even the higher-echelons of the United World Government''s administrative or military personnel knew of her discrete withdrawal. Most merely thought of her long absence as a prerequisite result of pregnancy.


    However, if one peered deeper in the activities of those close to the Dragon of Liberation. They would notice something peculiar from their recent behaviors. It was quite clear, though it appears that many were too blinded by their duties to even distinctly look at their idols.


    First, despite bing a soon-to-be father, the Authority hadn''t emerged that much from the Citadel. It was akin to before, which was something that most were already used to. None seem to be bothered by the inactivity of the Authority despite the needed distinction for his wife.


    Second, the Prime Minister had begun pursuit towards the Authority. The personnel below didn''t think of it as much as they understood why someone would heavily admire the Authority of the United World Government. Though, it was strange for someone hesitant to be full-on embracing it.


    Third, the Director of the As Corporation had transferred herself Dawn City for some unknown reason. Despite mostly spending her time in the Gaea City ever since bing the Director of the Corporation, something appears to interest her in the Dawn City.


    Despite the following peculiarities of the three, it would take some time for their behaviors to be noticed by even the higher-echelons of the United World Government. After all, the following months would be busy with the war between the Pgus Union and the Dominion of Tier reaching its climax.


    To deter a lifetime of harassment and warfare against a hostile nation, the Pgus Union had decided to invade the beaches of the Dominion, intending to end the war by conquering it entirely.


    The United World Government had noments regarding the direction that the Pgus Union had chosen. It wasn''t their job to dictate every move of the Union, but simply give it the ability to act upon itself and guide it to a prosperous future.


    A month after the announced pregnancy of the Dragon of Liberation, the fleet of the Pgus Union has showed up in the southeastern shores of their home ind. The fleet consisted of 12 WWII Frigates, 5 WWII Destroyers, and 3 WWII Battleships, along with arge array of LSTs, LCTs, and many more.


    The Pgus Union were treating the shore invasion with utmost seriousness and a priority that would turn the scales of war towards them. The United World Government had already given the confirmation that no third-party would participate in the battle whether it''d be the UWG or the Colonial Dominion of Mavors.


    The confirmation was already enough for the Pgus Union as they were confident in defeating and conquering the Dominion of Tier alone. Despite the Dominion also equipping themselves with guns, most of these came from stolen supplies before the two tribes severed connection from the Liberation Front.


    In simpler terms, these guns were in the rarer part of the Dominion''s army. Unlike the fully equipped armies of the Pgus Union, armed with WWII-era arsenal, the Dominion of Tier was akin to a transitioning nation with no money.


    It was at dawn when the Pgus Union began the beachhead invasion. Landing crafts carrying soldiers and armored vehicles pierced through the rough waves of the shores, intending tond deep into the southeastern beaches of the Dominion.


    The Dominion of Tier had firmly constructed a long-winded fortress filled to the brim with trenches and bunkers. Most of their advanced weaponry had been sent here, to defend the coastal front of the Dominion.


    The moment the Pgus Union puncture through the coastal defenses, the cities and the capital of the Dominion would risk falling under the control of the adversary. It must be avoided no matter what. They had to defend the coasts with their lives.


    *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!* *BOOM!!!*


    The warships near the shores of the southeastern coast began bombarding the inner beaches of the ind. The trenches and bunkers were being shredded into damnation by dozens upon dozens of seemingly never-ending explosions.


    It didn''t take long before the Pgus Union made theirnding onto the beachhead, immediately bring aboutpanies worth of soldiers and armored vehicles into the coastal battlefront. The moment the ramps of thending crafts opened, all hell broke lose.


    Machine guns were straight up fired at the exiting soldiers of the Union, pummeling them with rain of lead. The severe opposition of the enemy was far from what they had previously expected. The weaponry equipped by these bastards were also somewhat akin to theirs.


    It was beyond surprising.


    Nevertheless, the soldiers kept pushing on, creating cover alongside giant pieces of rocks. The warships of the Pgus Union continued their bombardment, destroy every nook and cranny of the shore''s interiors.


    The battlested for hours as hundreds of thousands of ammunitions were spent from both side. It was a bloody battle, far more bloodier than the entirety of the war between the United Navy and the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    The reason for it was simple. The casualties between two sides were immense, and their determination were ceaseless. Even when cornered, the defenders of the Dominion of Tier kept fighting without care for their lives.


    It would have been easier if the Pgus Union had aerial assets, however, they hadn''t procured such technologies from the United World Government as it was tooplex for them to operate andplicated for the UWG to give.


    However, in the end, victory had given way to the Pgus Union. What was supposed to be a drawn-out conflictsting for years, ording to the estimates of the Dominion of Tier''s higher echelon, concluded in mere months.


    Yes, the price was immense for the Pgus Union to pay. The casualties numbered over a thousand, making the citizens of the Union mourn their lost of loved ones. Some wanted revenge against the citizens of the Dominion of Tier. Few wanted them incarcerated.


    Hatred festered in their hearts, unable to ept the loss in the coastal battlefront of the north. The supreme government of the Dominion of Tier was soon dismantled. The officials and the two leading-figures of the Dominion were brought into the Court of Justice in Dawn City to be tried of their crimes.


    The day the two were ced in court, was a moment of heavy debacle. Everyone in Dawn City watched the trial of the tribe chiefs, whether it''d be the beastfolks or the humans that resided in the massive metropolis.


    It took a couple of hours for the two tribe chiefs to be confirmed of their crimes, and the supreme judge of the Court of Justice sentenced them to death in the capital city of the Pgus Union, Libera. The death sentence sparked a heavy debate upon many people in Dawn City.


    Some argued it was too much, while most thought of it as expected. The two tribe chiefs simply didn''t have a list of their war crimes against the Pgus Union, there were also crimes relegated towards their own citizens. Their deaths were as clear as the sun rising from the east.


    Three dayster after the death sentence, the two tribe chiefs were sent to the capital city of the Pgus Union, Libera, to conclude their given sentence. To be honest, some even wondered why the Pgus Union had sent the two captured supreme leaders into the courts of the UWG.


    But the answer was fairly simple. It was to invoke neutrality and partiality, aiming to categorize the listed crimes of the two tribe chiefs as free from biased. The United World Government had fairly been neutral since the beginning of the war.


    Their programs of modernizing the armies of the Pgus Union had alreadye ahead before the Dominion of Tier dered war. Although, there was a time when some confidential ports of the Dominion disappeared from the map, no evidences simply pointed at the participation of the UWG.


    The conclusion of the war between the Pgus Union and the Dominion of Tier brought peace in the sea region of Terra. Most could finally take their time in handling the pirate and smuggling issue that found itself guing the vast sea.


    The Pgus Union had also once again requested to be a state of the United World Government. And fortunately, unlike beforehand, the Union''s application was finally epted. Turning it into a State of Pgus of the United World Government.


    ...


    Meanwhile, somewhere in Dawn City, a radiant sunlight of the rising sun pierced through the silky curtains that covered the windows. Charlotte felt the light illuminating her face, rousing her up from her deep slumber.


    She slowly rose up from her bed, rubbing her eyes while yawning. Thefy ivory-tinted nket slid down from her body, revealing her ck brassiere wrapping her two gorgeouss. Her eyebrows rose, wondering as though why she was half naked.


    "Hmm..."


    However, before she couldpletely wonder about her unusual state, a voice from the side attracted her attention. It was a man''s voice, a familiar one. It was something she had always heard and greatly admired.


    Charlotte slowly turned her gaze towards the side of her bed and saw a middle-aged manfortably sleeping with his naked body veiled under the thick cover of the nket. Her eyes widened, recognizing it as none other than the one she admired.


    Her body quivered while her heart began to pound heavy out of her chest. Crimson velvet began to tint her face, making it as red as a tomato. Three words could only escape her supple lips as a reaction of the circumstance she found herself in.


    "What the fu-!?"

 Chapter 220: | 220 | TIMESKIP: Part Eight - Surprising Turn of Events

    ''How did it happened?! I can''t remember anything!'' Charlotte couldn''t believe her current circumstance. Finding herself naked in a room with Abraham beside her was beyond what she could have expected. She couldn''t even remember how it took ce, making her further confused.


    Her reactions were far from quiet. Abraham, who was sleeping beside her was rouse from his slumber. He grunted as his eyes fluttered open, looking around the luxurious room. His eyesnded on the crimson-tinted Charlotte who didn''t know what to do.


    "A-Abraham... H-How?... Why?..." She couldn''t make sense as she tried to remember what had happened in the evening that had passed. Fragmented memories struck her mind, as she was reminded what came after the departure of the problem dragon.


    After the problem dragon left the United World Government, she had chosen to pursue Abraham to be his lover. Even if she wasn''t his sun, she would be his moon, shining radiantly in the dark. With this in mind, she began her official pursuit by spending time with him in everyway possible.


    Although, her interactions were him with rather cryptic, many of those around her had alreadye to understand the decision she had made to pursue the Authority of the United Navy.


    But, seduction wasn''t the path she had chosen to walk into when pursuing Abraham. Instead, it was through moments their together, and spending time, trying to tie with one another''s feelings. It first started as Abraham repaying her a favor.


    However, afterward they became drinking partners, who spent most of their times in the bar, talking about their lives in the United World Government. Though, it was mostly Charlotteining about the difficulties of being a Prime Minister and the expectations that came along with it.


    She would have to prove others of her capabilities and also herself to continue her determination in the path of political power. It wasplicated, and there were times when she wanted to quit. For most of her life, she was part of the military, rarely delving into the matters of civilian administration.


    Being unknowingly elected to be a Prime Minister was a heavy road for her. The pressure to uplift herself into understanding an area that was previously unknown to her was a tough process. When hearing herints, Abraham wanted to apologize for haphazardly pushing her on the job.


    Though, before he could do so, Charlotte began listing the positives of her position as the Prime Minister. Despite the job being somewhat difficult, it gave her most of the power in the United World Government, prompting her to have the ability to change it.


    Whether it''d be further advancing the economy of the country or strengthening its military. The effects of the change she brought upon the United World Government was exhrating. Instead of being the one getting ordered, she was the one giving orders for the betterment of her country.


    Naturally, the effects of these orders or changes would be something she would be directly responsible. However, she was never an individual who shy from responsibility, thinking of it as something natural thates along with authority.


    The conversation that Abraham had with Charlotte made him realize that she was far more than a beautiful workaholicdy, who''s dreams appear to consist of making herself busy during the entirety of daylight.


    He had finallye to an understanding that she had aspirations of her own. And most importantly, feelings. As they spent more of their time together, along with months passing by in the blink of an eye.


    The fated night took ce.


    They were supposed to continue their conversations with one another, but Charlotte came in already heavily drunk,ining about the so-called bastards of Austerus trying to settle trade deals along with the creation ofpanies under theirmand in the United World Government.


    At the moment, the As Corporation hadplete monopoly over whates in andes out of the United World Government. The subject of foreignpaniesnding in the United World Government was something that Abraham had long expected.


    It was unavoidable as it was the way for economics to further grow. However, Abraham had established the As Corporation as a way for the United World Government to have some sway in the business world. It was to assure thatter on in the nation''s lifespan, corporations wouldn''t have power to have a sway in politics.


    The creation of a business union was a great subject to start in. Though, it seems that Bestian Confederacy wished for their so-calledpanies to bepletely private from the United World Government, which was bullsh*t!


    There was no way that the World Government wouldn''t regte the bastards outside from their country. Otherwise, they would be seeding in trouble forter generations toe.


    Naturally, as the Prime Minister and the representative of the United World Government, Charlotte hade to reject their ns. She stated the reason why, which was primarily due to their problematic and sketchy governance.


    Rebellions seems to love popping up in the confederacy, confirming that their governance were tight or their poption satisfied of their rule.


    There was also the impossibility of thepanies beingpletely private only for the confederacy. These businesses stand upon thend of the United World Government and will interact the citizens of the country. As such, regtion in some way was mandatory.


    Her reasoning caused them to haphazardly storm off, returning immediately to their country.


    Abraham could only lightly chuckle, which caused her to pout. The word cute emerged in his mind at this moment, it was rare for the Frozen Empress to be this delicate in front of him, providing a rare insight to the middle-aged man.


    Out of nowhere, however, without a tinge of hesitation or dy, Charlotte hopped onto hisp and hugged him tightly with her arms. Her giants enveloped his face as she muttered about being jealous about the problem dragon everyday.


    She had rarely shown her feelings to other people, which was why she couldn''t fight against the dragon in their battle of love. She would lose as she was simply inexperience in organizing or portraying her feelings.


    The words that shook his body was the following.


    "Abraham... Help me..."


    Returning back in the dawn of morning, Charlotte''s crimson face became redder as she was reminded about how she managed to put down the Authority of the United World Government on afy bed.


    At first, Abraham entirely dominated their sessions as she was barely to maintain her consciousness as he ravaged her body from the bottom to the top. Though, it seems that Charlotte had the same peculiar capability as Abraham. The ability to adapt.


    The sexual adventures between the twosted long as Charlotte was someone who would never give up. Despite her stamina unable to rival the problem dragon or Abraham''s, she had the perseverance topensate.


    Even if she had no stamina left, Charlotte wouldn''t forget to taunt Abraham. As a result, their intercourse with one anothersted longer than expected.


    "Oh my..." Charlotte was obviously embarrassed as memoriespletely returned to her mind. Abraham gazed at her, misunderstanding her state as mortification. Resolved gripped his heart, understanding the situation before him. What he had done was a crime.


    And he was ready to face it all alone.


    "Don''t worry about it, Charlotte. I''ll take Lace''s beating." He was determined as he was the one that let temptations control him despite being the man with the most control over it. His adventures with his wife had madesting expressions on him.


    It torn down his defenses, making it easy for him to fall for those who he already have feelings of.


    "I-I... I''m not someone who will run away from responsibility, Abraham. Besides..." Charlotte feltplicated as to how to rify the situation. After all, it was Lace who started the debacle of opening the gates to her husband.


    The bastard hadn''t forgotten to always remind them about how it would be open to them despite being already married. Her logic wasn''t normal, to which Charlotte understood as she wasn''t a human to begin with.


    "Besides, what?" Abraham raised his eyebrows, confused about the hesitance of Charlotte. He had already taken up the courage to face the wrathful dragoness the moment she returns. What he had done was a sin of their oath. He was supposed to be only for her, and he had already failed.


    "Besides, it was Lady Lace that opened you up to the two of us, Sir Abraham." An unknown voice emerged from the conversation of the two. A silver tail rose out of nowhere, embracing the middle-aged man''s naked body.


    "That was the best moment of my life, Sir. It was the greatest thing I have ever felt. To have you in me, to have you f*cking me like a beast." The seductive voice continued, shocking Abraham and Charlotte out of their stupor.


    "What the-" Abraham backed away, residing beside Charlotte. He didn''t remember another girl with him. It was only supposed to be Charlotte. She was the only one he remembered taking to the hotel that night.


    "Wait, what? Mercedes, how the hell are you here?" Charlotte squinted her eyes and quickly realized that it was none other than the silver wolf lycanthrope, the Director of the As Corporation, Mercedes.


    "How ruthless for the two of you to forget about me, especially you, Sir Abraham. I can''t forget about the time when you dominated me. It was the first time I felt fear and lust." Mercedes shook her head, acting like a victim of a forgotten y.

 Chapter 221: | 221 | TIMESKIP FLASHBACK: Part Nine - Intensifying Desires(R18)

    In the serene evening of Dawn City, the radiant sun has long set from the lines of the boundless horizon, reced by the pale moon gleaming amidst the darkness of the night sky. Twinkling stars shone through the ck canvas, bringing in a beautiful scenery of sce.


    Somewhere within the calm streets of Dawn City, Abraham walked through the sidewalk, carrying a gorgeous officedy behind his back. A tint of red was on his cheeks, remembering what had recently happened in the bar.


    Charlotte, the supposed Frozen Empress, became bold, sitting on hisp and kissing him while seducing him with words filled to the brim with desires. His mind surged withplicated thoughts, unable to understand what to do forward.


    Perhaps what they did in the bar was already enough for the two. There was no need for things to be quick, besides Lace hadn''t returned yet. He didn''t want to break his vows as it wasn''t his character to do so.


    "Sir Abraham..."


    However, before he could determine himself in trying to take the situation calmly, someone called out to him. He turned his gaze towards the direction of the voice, seeing another beautiful woman with silver canine ears and a fluffy tail.


    It was Mercedes, the Director of the As Corporation.


    Like Charlotte, Mercedes had been pursuing Abraham in her own way. It was through various personal business meetings, and the act of wanting to hear his suggestions regarding how she should move the As Corporation forward into the future.


    "Mercedes, it''s nice to see you. What are you doing here during this time?" Abraham wondered, curious about why the silver wolf lycanthrope decided to wander in the tranquil streets of Dawn City in the advent of evening.


    "It''s nothing much, Sir Abraham. I was just nning to head somewhere. Unexpected to see you with the Prime Minister, enjoying yourself huh?" Mercedes tilted her head, a calm expression stered on her face.


    Abraham wryly smiled at the remark of the Director. It would be lie to deny that he didn''t enjoy himself. There was just a strange attraction towards Charlotte slowly encapsting his heart. It was weird, and the first he ever felt it.


    Though as said before, he already resolved himself to be with Lace until the end of his lifetime.


    Mercedes raised her eyebrows as if noticing the thoughts surging through the head of the highest Authority in the United World Government. She walked nearer towards him, asking him something important.


    "Sir, do you know where the Prime Minister''s home is?" It was a good question as Abraham didn''t know where Charlotte''s home was. He gazed at the silver lycanthrope who was in her human form and questioned. "Do you know where?"


    "No, in fact, I do not have an idea where she lives in Dawn City." Mercedes straightforwardly answered with a calm voice, which almost made Abraham facepalmed for expecting some information to escape her supple lips.


    It felt as though he was directly or indirectly fooled by the canine.


    "But there is a hotel owned by my corporation nearby, I could help you get a room." Mercedes continued, suggesting what he would consider a good idea, or momentster, a good yet bad idea.


    "Alright, it''s better than spending more time in the open." Abraham epted Mercedes''s offer, and the three headed towards a tall skyscraper in downtown of Dawn City. It was a popr hotel for wealthy intrapreneurs, which was on a steady rise in Dawn City.


    Whether it''d be human or beastfolk, a wealthy ss was slowly being formed as more time passed by. It was understandable as there was no way for people with a semnce of intelligence or freedom to be equal.


    To make them equal would be to control them in their entirety, their limits, their lives, their mindset. The only assurance that the wealthy ss wouldn''t go out of control was the existence of the As Corporation, a line that they would never be able to cross.


    Though, as generations go by, local corruption might steadily rise as even the As Corporation wouldn''t have such grasped into everything and everyone. It merely serves as an insurmountable wall that would stop business getting politically-inclined.


    Even though, in the end, the As Corporation was a state-fundedpany.


    As the two got into the lobby of the hotel, the staffs quickly tended to them while Mercedes stormed off after giving Abraham and Charlotte a room. Before leaving the two, the silver wolf remarked. "I''lle byter after taking care of something."


    She smiled at Abraham and Charlotte, understanding that this was the fated moment that Lady Lace was trying to orchestrate.


    After Mercedes left, Abraham carried Charlotte into the spoken room, which was a luxurious suite at the top of the hotel. It was beautiful, although not as good as his Executive House in the Citadel.


    He walked into the master bedroom, gently cing Charlotte on the bed. However, as he was about to take a step back, he felt her hands over his neck, softly pushing them towards her. His lips touched her supple, velvet lips.


    The two kissed for a second time in the evening, with his chainspletely broken.


    "You''re not getting away," Charlotte smirked at Abraham, hugging him as tightly as possible. He could feel her hot breath, along with her softs touching his chest. Abraham closed his eyes, trying to control himself of instincts and desires that would soon consume him.


    "Ady is asking you to attend her, Abraham. Do you not know manners?" Charlotte tilted her head with a pout, a bit annoyed by Abraham''s hesitance. On the other hand, the middle-aged man was barely controlling himself, reminding his mind that she was merely drunk.


    "It''s hot." Sheined, opening her arms from Abraham''s neck, allowing him to step back. She slowly stretched her body, each movement of her arms was seductive as she began taking off her clothing.


    Charlotte nced at her ck leggings, taking them off with a subtle allure. Her pale skin emerged from the confinement of her clothing as she quickly threw her leggings towards the middle-aged man, who couldn''t dodge, or had no n in dodging.


    Itnded on Abraham''s face as his calm facade broke one by one. Desire was starting to take control of his body as he took a single step forward and suddenly kissed the gorgeousdy who was in the middle of stripping her clothes.


    "Uhmp~" Charlotte had no idea that Abraham would be the one that would start the evening battle. She felt her lips ravaged by his, while his tongue plundered hers. His hands slowly slithered along her seductive body, gently ying with her chest in the process.


    It was an overload of sensations to her mind, but she was a soldier before bing the Prime Minister of the United World Government. Perseverance were amongst the many skills she had learned in the military.


    Undefeated, she began pushing for control, beginning hugged his neck tightly towards her body. After a couple of minutes savagely kissing one another like animals, the two halted for a moment, panting out heavy and hot breaths from their mouth.


    Saliva escaped both of their lips, likely already blended during their intense battle of the mouths.


    "Hehehe~ As expected, my expectations didn''t disappoint." Charlotte grinned at Abraham despite being exhausted by the sexual sh she had gone through. She would have been satisfied to end it here, but unfortunately for her, he wasn''t.


    "I apologize, Charlotte..." Abraham muttered in his breath, prompting her to tilt her head in confusion. "What do you me- Ah!" Before she could question his words, he began his second charge into her. He kissed her pale neck, his fingers treading lower into her abdomen.


    Feeling a slit from them, Abraham smiled while Charlotte quickly felt an intense carnal desire at the bottom of her body. His fingers softly got through her pussy, pleasuring them with expertise.


    "Ah~ Abraham~" Charlotte moaned out loud, clenching onto his shoulders, unable to contain her body from going through an orgasm. Despite her great efforts of trying to stop it, it was of no use as fluid found itself dripping from her pussy.


    She was no dragon or superhuman, her stamina wasn''t that good whenpared to literal demi-gods. It was understandable for her to be exhausted, after all, it was rare for people to go at it without rest for hours and hours.


    Though, sadly for her, he wasn''t done yet. "Abraham~ I can''t~" Abraham took off his pants and underwear, presenting his great rod of liberty to the weary Prime Minister. Charlotte gazed at it, and despite being tired, there was desire in her eyes.


    Atop Charlotte, Abraham began kissing her while slowly pushing into her pussy. It wasn''t good to be a brute, especially when uncovering one another for the first time. "Ah~" Charlotte moaned as she felt something prating her bottom.


    It felt strange, an intrusion of some sort. However, most importantly, it felt good for some reason. Charlotte felt her walls opening up to his gargantuan frame as if making way for their supreme ruler. She subconsciously tightened them up, causing Abraham to groan.


    It was a pleasure, which he hadn''t felt for quite some time. It made him somewhat sensitive, as he slowly increased the pace of fucking the beautiful Prime Minister. Moans echoed throughout the room as Charlotte had her fingers clenched over his shoulder.


    Abraham was pumping into her like turbocharged v12 engine, unable to stop. Charlotte felt her consciousness fading, though she continued to cling into it despite pleasure consuming the entirety of her senses. It was quite an adventure for the two.


    "Abraham!~ I-I''ming~" Charlotte moaned as she felt orgasmed swallowing her body. Abraham also ejacted inside, pumping her womb into the brim with his white seed.


    Heid down beside her, breathing in and out. The experience was exhrating for even someone like him. But most importantly, it was a wonder how shested an hour from getting fucked by his rod.


    "I didn''t expect you to be a beast, Abraham~ Fuck! I can''t feel my legs~" Charlotte cursed out, though she rose from the bed and adjusted her position. Her ass was there for Abraham to see while cum dripped from the reddish pussy.


    "But... Don''t they look hungry~?" She smirked at the Abraham.

 Chapter 222: | 222 | TIMESKIP FLASHBACK: Part Ten - Another Joins The Battle(R18)

    Walking in the long-winding hallway filled to the brim withvish paintings of all kinds, a beautiful youngdy with silver wolf ears and tail found herself crestfallen after going through a lengthy and exhausting meeting. Being the Director of a massive corporation was far from easy.


    There were many things going on, all at once. Handling it one by one was out of the question as any slight dy would cause some significant changes in the market. The business world of the United World Government was practically in her shoulders, assuring their dominance over the market.


    "Though, that is one lengthy report. How do they even find the time to create such presentations." Mercedes shook her head, annoyed by the amount of things she had to do. However, in the end, it was her duty since she was the Director of the As Corporation.


    The rtionship between countries was for her to handle as the As Corporation would enter a country with the intention of purchasing and selling products to the local popce. Most importantly, the As Corporation would buy the rights of mining the oil scattered throughout their country.


    The local poption or the surrounding countries hadn''t taken notice why the As Corporation was buying mining rights and acquiring the monopoly over something that they could only consider as the water of hell.


    However, since money was speaking, the foreign governments merely didn''t care as long as they received money from the As Corporation, which it has a lot of.


    There was a lot of work assuring that the ignorance was maintained. At least for a couple of months until the As Corporation and the United World Government consolidates their power over the monopolized oil.


    Though, once the true worth of oil would be revealed, it was fairly obvious that the local government wouldn''t be happy to have the As Corporation maintain control over it. There was a possibility that the countries would seize the resources, and so, a counter-strategy was created.


    It was through a private military organization secretly funded by the United World Government and the As Corporation through dozens of ghostpanies scattered throughout the country. The name of the private military organization was Cerberus, the hell guard.


    "The creation of Cerberus is nearly reaching itspletion." She muttered to herself, heading towards the hotel suit where Abraham and Charlotte resided.


    The Cerberus waspany of veterans across multiple battalions in the United Army, Marines, Navy Seals, and the Special Response Division. They were equipped with technology and arsenal, only built in the depths of the Research & Development Department inside the Citadel.


    One could consider them a dagger that would do the dirty work for the United World Government, whether it''d be intelligence-gathering, assassination, and escort.


    The private military organization waspletely under her supervision, assuring that they would be a weapon that the As Corporation could use when cornered. Anyhow, the Cerberus was for the future, for a time that she wish would nevere.


    But it was inevitable as the assets bought by the United World Government and As Corporation would be under fire even if it was purchased through legal means. The realization of wealth was simply too much for local governments to resist.


    Heck, the countries surrounding them had no idea how to refine oil into its current state, so perhaps they would merely seize it for them to make the United World Government rent it for any price wanted.


    Mercedes shook her head as the United World Government had several alternatives that they could choose. Naturally, they would pick the cheapest to rent on. But that would only be possible if the World Government gives up thend they purchased.


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    ''Which is impossible.''


    As long as money were spent, the United World Government wouldn''t back down. Especially with oil on the line. It was for this reason that the Cerberus was created.


    "I wonder what they''re doing?" Mercedes wondered to herself, arriving before the front door of the luxurious suit she had given to Charlotte and Abraham.


    But as she walked closer, she heard the moans of Charlotte, who was being ravaged by the beastly Abraham, pumping her pussy over and over again. The supposed stone-faced Prime Minister was acting like a cat in heat, begging for Abraham to fuck her further.


    A shade of red tinted Mercedes''s face as her minds surged with erotic thoughts. She wasn''t particrly pure on the subject since she had made her research before nning to pursue the highest authority of the United World Government.


    "I expected them to do it. But I didn''t think they would be acting like animals." Mercedes muttered to herself as she slightly opened the front door, peeping inside the luxurious suit. It was then she saw Charlotte getting fucked from behind by Abraham, sensual sweat wrapped all over their body dripping all throughout.


    ''Wow... Is this what it looks like. It''s far wilder than the videos I have seen.'' Mercedes thought to herself as she glimpsed even more through the thin opening between the door and the bedroom. Though, when she peered through, she found no signs of Abraham.


    "Hello, there." Hearing a voice from behind, Mercedes unconsciously backed away falling into the front door with a wry smile. "Well, hello there, Sir Abraham. Apologies for peepin-" She couldn''t continue as his rod of liberty was there for her to see.


    It was long and thick as it was coated with Charlotte''s orgasmic liquid. Mercedes felt her abdomen heat up, feeling pure lust for the first time. "Are you sure you only want to watch, Mercedes?" Abraham asked with a smile that reminded her of the dragoness.


    It was a calm and innocent smile that seemed to emanate domination. Mercedes couldn''t help but gulped, subconsciously holding onto the cock of the middle-aged man. It was hot, wet, sticky, and most importantly bulky. It would destroy her if it ever got inside.


    "I-I don''t want to watch... I want to feel it!" The more she held it with her fingers, the more she was ovee by the feeling of lust. It was as though she was in heat with the one that could resolve it in front of her. She wanted to feel what Charlotte and Lace felt.


    She wanted to be filled to the brim with his seed.


    "Alright, I won''t make you regret it." Picking up Mercedes from the ground, without a tinge of hesitation and dy, Abraham kissed her supple lips, ravaging it. The strength of the man before her was too much as she simply couldn''t fight against it.


    Mercedes''s heart pounded as her body temperature increased through time. Abraham continued savagely kissing her lips, while also pecking on her neck like a beast. She was supposed to be the beastly one, why was she surrendering in his might.


    Her clothes was quickly disregarded, leaving her naked. On the other hand, Charlotteid on the bed, exhausted from the fight between her and the highest authority of the United World Government.


    As Abraham was about to continue, he stopped, gazing at Mercedes with a serious gaze. The silver wolf lycanthrope, who expected to be dominate in and out felt confused by the pause of the middle-aged man.


    "Mercedes, why are you in this form?" He softly questioned her while also caressing her hair. Mercedes''s current form was akin to that of a nekomimi. A human girl with animal ears and tail. However, he wasn''t ignorant, understand that it wasn''t her true form.


    "What do you mean?" Mercedes was confused, wondering if there was something wrong with her current form. "This is our first time together. I don''t want it to be in a false form of you." Abraham straightforwardly responded, making her paused.


    "I-I..." She didn''t know what to say as she thought that Abraham was only interested in this form of hers. It wasn''t within her expectations for the highest authority to be attracted to her beastly form. After all, it wasn''t human-like unlike her current one.


    "I don''t want to base my attraction in appearances, Mercedes. You know the kind of person I am, right?" He whispered softly to her ears, causing it to ruffle.


    "If you say so, Sir Abraham." Mercedes responded, turning to her beastfolk form. Abraham smiled at the sight and muttered. "Beautiful." After spending time in the new world, his sense of beauty had undergone through a change.


    It was for the better as it helped him realized the beauty of things that weren''t human.


    Despite avoiding his gaze, Mercedes found herself entrance by his kiss as his fingers slithered from her tummy and to her abdomen. Usually, he would help them adapt first from the pleasure, but... It was bing more difficult to control himself.


    Abraham aimed his rod of liberty onto her pussy, slowly pushing it onward. He felt a tussle of hair, which was strange as it tingled his cock, though perhaps it made him even more arouse as his rod stood more steadily than ever before.


    "Ah~" Mercedes moaned as Abraham began pumping her pussy in and out with his cock. She felt it expanding her walls, barely touching her womb like a siege engine preparing itself. Pleasure consumed the entirety of her body as she released one orgasm after another.


    But Abraham never stopped fucking her as though he had be a wild beast in heat. It was his first time fucking a beastfolk, and it was arousing him more than he had expected. He didn''t know, but there was something in her pussy that was begging him to continue.


    "Ah~ Ah~ Ah~" Mercedes''s moan ruffled as she could barely control herself with Abraham fucking her with his massive cock. It was her first time doing it with someone, and it was the greatest thing she had ever felt in her life.


    ''I m-might get a-addicted from t-this!''


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 223: | 223 | TIMESKIP: Part Eleven - Troubles of a Foreign Country

    Somewhere in the Frontier of the Ferus Sea, a lone country of beastfolks was dealing a troublesome problem they had never seen before. Their ce of worship had been conquered by a powerful beast from legends brought about by their ancestor.


    Though, much stronger and bigger than the monster that dwelled in their myths.


    In the throne room of the beastfolk kingdom, a general kneeled with his sword sheathed beside him. Before the beastfolk general was the monarch of the kingdom, Anaconda. He was a silver snake beastfolk, akin to an anaconda breed.


    His name was Eunectes, a long lived cold-blooded king of Anaconda. Laying on his throne riddled with the most grandeur of wooden garnish and rare metals, Eunectes coldly red at the general in front of him.


    "My general, the problem that has tarnished our ce of worship hasn''t been solved. May I hear your exnation?" Despite his voice brimming with calmness, there was an underlying dread. The general flicked his tongue and responded to the monarch.


    "The dragon is too much for us to handle, my liege. If we dare to provoke it much longer, the kingdom mayy in ruins. Hundreds of my best warriors have fallen in a single moment against the dragon who''s akin to a moving mountain range."


    "I beg for the liege to stand down andy low against this ferocious foe." The general lowered his head even further, wanting the monarch to halt their assault against the dragon. He understood of its powers which could sink inds.


    He didn''t want to see the same of the kingdom he served.


    "Are you deciding for me, my general?" Eunectes questioned the serpent general in front of him. The general quickly shook his head and replied. "I am not, my liege. I am simply giving us a way for the kingdom to survive."


    "If we ever provoke the dragon, our kingdom would sink into the bottom of the sea. I have seen the god-like being sink inds before my eyes. There was nothing we could do but watch when it sunk one of ours." The general continued, wanting to rify himself.


    "I see... You''re a worrisome serpent, aren''t you, my general?" Eunectes''s slitted eyes narrowed as he continued. "But I don''t want the onemanding my armies to be a coward. I want them to follow mymands without hesitation or dy."


    "As such, you have fallen from your position, my general. Consider yourself as fortunate, death would have been your fate against the disrespect you have portrayed in my court. Undermining my authority before the figures of my kingdom is akin to treason."


    "But as a merciful ruler, I shall forgive you, because I can." His words echoed throughout the throne room as serpentine soldiers quickly marched forward, dragging the general who was crestfallen. "You have no idea what you''re doing. You mustn''t disturb its nest no matter what!"


    The general tried to persuade the monarch, but simply couldn''t. He was dragged into the dungeon, where he would spend his time thinking about the actions of what he had done. Meanwhile, someone else would rece his rank as the sword of Anaconda.


    "Will you follow mymands, my esteem general?" Eunectes calmly asked the new general who''s much burlier than the former one. The new general deeply bowed to the monarch and responded with respect and courtesy. "Your wish is ourmand, my king."


    "Good..." A smile formed on the king''s face as someone who was willing to follow him had finally emerged amongst his ranks. "Take our greatest army and burn the nest of that dragon. We must confront it for tarnishing our ce of worship!"


    "It will be done, my king!" The new general saluted and walked away from the throne room, intending to aplish the task that the monarch had given him. Eunectes merely grinned, imaging the word of their victory against the monster.


    Perhaps, he might have a dragon''s head beside his threr. The thought was enough to make him delighted as it would signify him as the greatest ruler of Anaconda. The only one who has in a dragon.


    On the other hand, the former general found himself in the swampy dungeon at the bottom of the castle. His body was shackled all throughout, preventing him from even enacting a tinge of what could be considered a movement.


    "They do not know what they will be fighting! It is the God of Destruction that they will be facing!" The former general cried out, his voice echoing throughout the gloomy dungeon. However, he only heard the chuckles of prisoners like him. Humiliating him for being stuck with them.


    However, he didn''t care for honor as the countdown of their destruction might begin.


    And he was right, for what the monarch had brought for was the destruction of their kingdom.


    ...


    A couple of monthster, above the heavens as a C-130 soaring through the azure skies. It was amongst the reconnaissance aircrafts sent to spy other countries and perhaps search for more. Its code name was Columbus 0-1.


    "This is Columbus 0-1, we are currently in the airspace of the supposed kingdom of serpents, Anaconda. Observing the sea below, no inds sighed. Continuing observation..." The aviation officer reported through the radio.


    There were reasons as to why they were sent into the middle of nowhere. Farrger than searching for countries in the Frontier, it was to find a loose dragon. The mission was of highest confidentiality, directly managed by the Authority himself.


    "The Dragon of Liberation has gone far away to protect us from devastation. It is our duty to pay the favor back. The Authority of the United World Government has given us the honor to find her. And we must do so no matter what."


    The leading aviation officer aboard the aircraft uttered to his personnel, who nodded in agreement. They must find the dragoness so that the United World Government wouldn''t be ignorant of her status and location.


    Columbus 0-1 continued soaring through the skies with no hesitation or dy. They got closer and closer to the presumed coordinates of the home ind of the Anaconda Kingdom. However, the situation was far from simple.


    "A storm is ahead of us, Sir... Should we continue?" The aviation pilot asked the leading aviation officer, who thought about it for a moment. He nced at the pilots and questioned them instead. "Can you handle the storm in front of us?"


    One of the pilot smirked and responded. "We''ve gone through worse, Sir."


    "Alright, continue and assure that the ind remains our target." The leading aviation officer nodded in agreement and ordered the pilots. The aircraft was currently on a cruising speed, and the turbulence of the storm might bring some problems.


    However, with liberty, freedom, and the Authority in their side, there was nothing impossible.


    The aircraft got closer to the storm as the metallic interior began trembling from the turbulence. All of the aviation personnel held on to what they could hold with their hands and braced for what was about toe.


    *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*


    Radiant shes that blinded through the windows roared ahead of them. The pilots continued to control the aircraft in a steady altitude, assuring that it doesn''t fall out of the sky out of nowhere. Though, the intense storm wasn''t helping them.


    "Only a few dozen kilometers from our target. It should be in sight within a minute." One of the aviation officers reported, earning the nod of the leading aviation officer. "Keep up and don''t let the storm take this bird down."


    "Our target shouldn''t be too far. We must keep flying!" His words echoed in the cabin of the C-130, assuring the aviation personnel under him. Trusting his words, they continued in their duties and fought against fear with their sheer loyalty towards the Authority.


    *BANG!* *BANG!**BANG!*


    Bolts of lightning slithered across the ckened heavens covered by the storm. These bolts were of all-kinds of color, ranging from blue, yellow, red, and to even ck. It was the strangest storm they had ever gone through. It might not be strange for them to return in the past with how things were going.


    "Ten kilometers left, Sir! It should be visible below us!" The aviation officer operating the radar reported to the leading aviation officer. They quickly turned their attention at the reconnaissance officer, who was already utilizing the recon cameras equipped in Columbus.


    As the camera focused on what was down below, what they saw next shocked them to their very core. The hair of their skin stood in dread while chills echoed in their body. Below them, the Anaconda Kingdom, a country of serpentine beastfolk was nowhere to be found.


    In its ce was an ind burning in the fiery mes of inferno. Destruction consumed the entirety of the ind as the sea surrounding it slowly devoured its shores. The ind was sinking, and the cause of the devastationy at its center, encircling a copsed castle.


    "T-That''s..." One of the aviation officers muttered in horror, unable to understand the ruin below them. Most importantly, the one that brought destruction was none other than their savior, the Dragon of Liberation.


    Her serpentine body epassed the entirety of the capital city of Anaconda, its very movement bringing about more havoc to the already ruined city.


    "Lieutenant Colonel Lace..." The leading aviation officer continued, but immediately noticed the gargantuan dragoness staring at them with its crimson-velvet eyes filled with overwhelming dominion.


    "Sh*t! We don''t have time. Activate Hermes!" He quickly realized what was about toe and ordered the activation of Hermes, their only path of survival.


    The pilots quickly followed his orders, already prepared for the activation of the magi-technology. With the push of a button, Columbus 0-1 avoided death through spatial transport.


    They practically teleported away from the kingdom of Anaconda.


    In their spot, however, was a brilliant light that encapsted the darkened heavens consumed by the vast storm.


    *BOOM!!!*


    The Columbus was but a moment away from death.

 Chapter 224: | 224 | TIMESKIP: Part Twelve - A Voyage To Conquer My Wife

    In the crown of the towering structure that pierced through the heavens, the metallic doors of the elevator slid open, revealing a lone intelligence officer with an important report. She walked forward into the house of the executive, standing before a dark-tinted wooden desk.


    "I have a significant report, Sir." She softly reported as the luxurious office chair pointing towards the windows slowly turned towards her. Sitting on it was none other than Abraham, whose cold expression unveiled authority that was only his.


    "I presume it''s about Columbus..." Abraham remarked, earning the nod of the intelligence officer. He had sent various personnel to find his wife as there were only three months left before a year had passed.


    Even though he was ignorant of the duration of pregnancy his wife might go through, ignorance wasn''t a bliss for someone like him.


    A lot of things have happened since Lace''s departure. His rtionship with Charlotte and Mercedes had grown further than what he had expected. He had learned to love them far beyond a close friend and more like a lover.


    However, all of them understood that such a rtionship must be inplete secrecy. He was a married man, and he needed to handle the wrath of his wife, regardless of how the twomented about him misunderstanding something.


    In simpler terms, the guilt and the desire to meet his wife consumed him. Even if he wanted to abandon the Naval Task of not interfering with the operations of the United World Government, he wasn''t that confident in actually leading them in his current state.


    "Yes, Sir... Columbus has made a significant breakthrough. It has made contact with Lady Lace somewhere in the Frontier, in the ind kingdom of Anaconda." The following words of the intelligence officer shook Abraham down to his core.


    His mind was awakened as his back straightened. From the following failures that could be counted in dozens, he didn''t expect Columbus to find his wife. His expectations was practically below the abyssal depths of the ocean floor after the insurmountable failures.


    "Where is she? Is she okay!?" Naturally, Abraham was excited, wanting to meet his wife. The intelligence officer lowered her head and continued her report. "There were some troubles in the contact, Sir. Columbus almost got annihted."


    "Columbus 0-1 was supposed to go through a reconnaissance of the ind kingdom of Anaconda. However, they were met with a horrible storm and a terrifying sight of the country. ording to the aviation personnel onboard, it was burning while steadily sinking into the seas."


    "Pictures have been fortunately retrieved from the data center in the aircraft, and they weren''t wrong." The intelligence officer calmly ced pictures that the reconnaissance officer had taken of the ind of Anaconda.


    Abraham gazed at the pictures and saw nothing but pure destruction. Crimson fiery mes of inferno devoured thendscape as the shores slowly sunk from the tides of the rough seas. Most importantly, there was a gargantuan serpentine dragon in the devastated capital city of Anaconda.


    He was sure of it, the dragon was none other than his wife, Lace. But, if she resided in the capital city of what was supposed to be a country, it would mean... A country has been destroyed, and the culprit was her.


    "Has anyone else learn of this information?" Abraham questioned the intelligence officer, who shook her head and responded with calm. "Aside from the aviation personnel who conducted the search and myself, the intelligence remains confidential."


    "Good, keep it that way. I don''t want anyone learning about this information. Make it disappear." Abraham ordered as he stood up from his chair and continued. "Prepare a ne for me, I want to head towards the burning and sinking country."


    "Affirmative, Sir. Documents and hard data about the information will be promptly destroyed. However, I do not rmend a trip towards Anaconda. Lady Lace might not be in the mental faculties to recognize anyone."


    "I''m not foolish as to think that she would still remember me. My Lace wouldn''t destroy a country and burn it into the ground. I have to make sure that the situation doesn''t worsen. Otherwise, a line might be traversed through if we let her go at it."


    Abraham wasn''t dumb enough to think that his wife would still be able to recognize him. The moment she goes near him, she would probably try to kill him. But letting her go would bring about greater problems that wouldplicate the future.


    There were many beastfolk countries in the Frontier, a few of them near Anaconda. If her scope of destruction gotrger andrger, it would bound to reveal her identity. And it would be hard for the United World Government to support her after the destruction she brought upon into a random country.


    "I shall see to it, Sir." The intelligence officer understood that the Authority had made his decision. He was a stubborn man who would go through the path of the choices he had chosen instead of backtracking from its dangers. Perhaps, it was why she admires him as the Authority.


    "Wait, before leave. Make sure that the aircraft will be equipped with HERMES. The newest model of the R&D Department." Abraham remembered the spatial transportation project of the R&D Department, codenamed HERMES.


    It was a spatial-transmission engine that would help the logistics of the United Army, Navy, and Air Force of the UWG. At the moment, thergest equipped with HERMES were transport aircrafts like the C-130. Warships found it difficult to undergo spatial-transmission without breaking apart.


    However, reverse engineering the runes of former battleships of the Colonial Dominion of Terra had elerated the pace of research in the field. It might not be long for the United Navy to procure the ability of teleportation.


    "Understood, Sir. It will be done. A new prototype will be installed into Columbus 0-2." The intelligence officer nodded in agreement, returning to the elevator to follow through the orders given to her.


    ...


    A couple of hourster, Abraham arrived in the western airfield of the instation riddled with aircrafts of all sort ranging from attack helicopters, transport helicopters, fighter aircrafts, and even bomber. It was filled to the brim with aviation personnel, assuring the proper maintenance of the spoken aircrafts.


    As he walked through the western airfield, a C-130 already resides in the beginning of the runway, ready for take off. An aviation officer stood before him with straightened back and the usual salute. "Sir, Columbus 0-2 is ready for take off."


    "The newest prototype of HERMES has already been installed with the coordinates of the destination recorded in our system." The aviation officer quickly reported, earning the nod of Abraham. "Good, let''s leave immediately."


    "The more time we waste, the riskier it bes." Abraham got inside the Columbus and immediately strapped himself into a seat. The aviation personnel made their final preparation and swiftly closed the ramps of the aircraft.


    The propellers of the C-130 turned on, rotating rapidly by the moment. Thrust was soon made as the transport aircraft started moving in the runway. They soon gained speed, propelling forward while the the aviation pilot turned the ps at an angle. Experience more tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    The transport aircraft steadily soared into the skies, heading towards the direction of its destination, the fallen kingdom of Anaconda. However, to go there as quickly as possible, was a problem for their new magi-technology to solve.


    "Hold tight, Sir. HERMES will soon be activated." An aviation officer stated while holding on into what was hard. Abraham merely nodded at him, but kept hisfortable posture. The pilots made preparations for the activation of HERMES, which was aplicated one.


    There were several sensitiveponents in the aircraft that might be affected by the intense internal turbulence brought about by the spatial transmission. Naturally, the current and newest prototype assured the survival of sensitiveponents, making it reliable for quick transport.


    After making their preparations, the aviation pilots nodded at one another and turned the key for activation. The aircraft soon trembled as if it was hit by the greatest turbulence it had ever gone through. Everything was quivering, leaving some wondering if it would break apart amidst transmission.


    Everest satfortably in his seat, seemingly unaffected by the effects brought about by spatial-transmission. His body was too rigid for something like a tiny spatial quake would affect. Though, he did notice the advancements that the R&D Department had made regarding spatial-transportation.


    However, it was far from the essibility that the Colonial Dominion of Terra had. There were many more things that could use improvements such as the lowering of the intense shaking. The vibrations will cause problem for the aircraft in the long-term, even with initial maintenance.


    But he didn''t ride the Columbus to criticize Hermes. He went in a voyage to get back his wife.


    The turbulence soon calmed down and the blue skies beyond the circr windows of the aircraft turned dark. Lightning roared in the background, illuminating in various colors. The Columbus had sessfully transported itself near the fallen kingdom in an instant.


    Abraham stood up and dered to the aviation personnel nearby. "I''ll handle her alone. The ne should return to the Citadel, otherwise it wouldn''t be able to survive with the intense conditions amidst the storm."


    "I''ll fare better if I am alone. At the very least, I wouldn''t be worried about you guys getting hurt." Abraham continued, shotting down their rejections. "Open the ramp and let me drop from here. Remember to heed my words and retreat immediately."


    The aviation personnel opened the ramps, bringing about a surge of wind in the interiors of the aircraft. Abraham stood while gazing at the burning ind below with a cold expression on his face. Though, a smile formed on his face as he nced at the men behind him.


    "Consider this a matrimonial problem, the usual when marrying a feisty girl, right?" He smirked and promptly jumped from the aircraft.

 Chapter 225: | 225 | TIMESKIP: Part Thirteen - The Man Versus The Dragon

    In the ck-painted skies consumed by a catastrophic storm of untamed proportions, Abraham found himself falling amidst the cold heavens as shes of thunder roared beside him. He gazed at Columbus slowly fading amidst the storm and turned his attention towards what was below.


    Staring at the capital city of the fallen kingdom, his eyes steadily furrowed. The destruction that shrouded thend was far beyond what his imaginations could perceive. It was as though he had entered theher realm filled to the brim with the mes of inferno.


    "This has to end now." Abraham muttered under his breath, resolving himself to stop the whims of the dragoness he was about to meet. The massacre of an entire poption was something that was difficult for him to ept. They would probably need to have a talk for what had happened.


    As he got nearer to the ground, the gargantuan body of the serpentine dragon emerged in the background. It wrapped around a ruined castle burning aze the darkest storm. His doubts were confirmed when he saw her.


    The dragon was none other than Lace, his wife. Though, somewhat different than before. Lace was someone who wouldn''t haphazardly throw her dominating intent around and has great control over it. The one before he had no control at all, and most importantly was the color of her eyes.


    It was radiant gold, glimmering like a luminous gemstone. It was a treasure to behold. The current one in front of him had crimson red, although still beautiful like a ruby, it was cold. Itcked the warmth that his wife provided.


    If there was a description he could use towards the current Lace. It was like seeing the God of Destruction. There was no sign of the Dragon of Liberation.


    Abraham soon reached ground level and made hisnding with his feet. It was clean one as the ground didn''t crack upon his arrival, which was something he was getting used to. A good and slicknding was always better than a destructive one.


    "But damn... It looks like I haven''t exercise my body enough." He remarked while shaking his arms and legs. It has been a while since he had gotten a move out of this body of his. Spending most of his time at the Citadel didn''t do good for him, but it wasn''t enough to be detrimental.


    Abraham straightened his body as the dragon had its gaze pointed at him. Its crimson slitted eyes narrowed as it began moving, slithering like a snake. However, he did notice a peculiar behavior from it. The dragon kept itself wrapped around the castle.


    Walking towards the dragon, he cracked his fingers as he uttered at the repti- Ehem, his wife. "You have done a bad job at keeping this ce, my Love. I don''t remember you being the troublesome typ-."


    "Oh, wait... I mean, I don''t remember you being the type who loves fire and wrecking things up." He shook his head as his words were bing iprehensible even to him.


    At any rate, Abraham got closer to the serpentine dragon who opened its jaw and quickly released a crimson st. It surged onward towards him as he could only sigh to himself. The st quickly enveloped his body, though in actuality, Abraham stood beside it unaffected.


    "You have to do more than that if you want to take care of your husband, my Love." He smirked while he clenched his fist and leaped towards the serpentine dragon. He arrived before in an instant and was about to strike its head with his fist.


    However, its body abruptly moved, swatting him away like a fly. Abraham was thrown away into the burning capital city, an explosion resounding upon his crashnding.


    *BOOM!!!*


    ck smoke and dust enveloped his surroundings as he dusted off his clothing. The runes engraved on it weren''tsting long, so if he wasn''t careful. He would have to fight his wifeter. Though, it''s not like it was something new to him.


    "Though... You hit hard! Do you not treat me with care anymore?" He remarked, shaking his head in disappoint. Getting swatted from the sky while performing a punch wasn''t something he was delighted to experience.


    *BAM!*


    Another st enveloped hisnding spot, but he already dodged away, sprinting towards the serpentine dragon at full speed. ''Not even a tinge of patience, huh?''


    ''I guess you really are my wife!'' Abraham appeared beside it and immediately threw a punch. His fistnded as the dragon''s head was blown to the side, though it merely growled in annoyance. It opened its jaw, releasing another beam of destruction.


    "You''re really hard to deal with." He muttered to himself, barely dodging another beam. Although, it wouldn''t instantly kill him. It might burn his skin and most importantly, destroy his clothing. Fighting amidst a hellscape wasn''t something he was interested in.


    The serpentine dragon of destruction was aggravated by the fly that kept bothering it. This bastard was a lot different than the insects it had destroyed before. For some reason, it felt a bit of hesitance. There was also the endurance of the fly and its speed.


    It understood that there was more to be done if it wanted to take care of the insect. With this in mind, the serpentine dragon unwrapped its body and slithered into the ck-painted heavens. Thunderous lightning rumbled beside it as it red at Abraham, who stood below it.


    "It looks like she''s getting serious." Abraham knew that it wasn''t the time to be ying around. His wife could punch a pack, and if he wasn''t cautious, he might die with his body burning to crisped. Even with his unnatural resistance of the natural, his wife was a skilled maniptor of magicraft.


    He clenched his fist and narrowed his gaze at the serpentine dragon. He could jump at the dragon once again to punch it, however, using the same strategy over and over again was insanity.


    ''External Release...'' Abraham pulled his fist and suddenly threw it forward. It was as though he was punching the air, but in reality, the air was sting at what he wanted to hit. As if following his rhythmed, both the heavens and the earth surged onward, barreling towards the soaring dragon.


    The serpentine dragon opened its jaw, conjuring another st of destruction. It didn''t fear anything below it. Its arrogance paramount to everything above. It stood as the highest of all what nature could create. The apex sapience of the world. Its heaven.


    It wasn''t wrong to say the least.


    But in the world of the unnatural, the heaven and the earth can sometimes flipped in the whims of those that will it.


    As the burst of air surged into the skies while a beam of destruction sted into the earth, their impact brought about a fusion of energy that awakened the radiance of creation. A shockwave took shape, so strong that it opened up the previously darkened skies consumed by an unending storm.


    The rays of sunlight returned, piercing downward. The blue skies emerged, signifying the end of the devastation that enraptured thend below. It was a beautiful sight. Though, a gargantuan serpentine dragon still loomed over the sinking ind.


    Wrath consumed its crimson eyes, angered by the fact that a mere insect dared to douse the destruction it had brought upon to itsnd. However, it had forgotten the fact that the mere insect was far from gone.


    Above it, Abraham gently fell and threw a soft punch to its body, It wasn''t extremely fast, nor was it very strong. It didn''t even cause a disturbance in its surroundings. However, the serpentine dragon felt a force that pulled it to the earth.


    The gargantuan predator couldn''t resist and was flung to the capital city of the fallen kingdom. It crashed with a manganous explosion, resounding all throughout.


    *BOOM!!!* Waves of smoke and dust consumed the devasted capital city as Abrahamnded on the ruinedndscape of what was supposed to be a sizeable settlement of creatures. It was all destroyed, barely a trace of its past.


    "I hope you wake up, Lace. I know you can. But I need you now." Abraham uttered amidst the debris covered terrain. The massive silhouette of the serpentine dragon soon faded, bing smaller by the moment.


    Hope returned to Abraham''s eyes since Lace had finally returned back. It seemed to him that there was no need for more violence. After all, no one would want to be fighting to the death with their lovers. Besides, he might actually die if the sh continued.


    The only reason why he was alive was the simple fact that the dragon wasn''t taking him seriously at all. A fly might buzz around your body, annoying you. But you wouldn''t use a bomb to kill it.


    However, unfortunately for him, things were far from over.


    As the dust and smoke faded into the background, dissipating through time, a gorgeous figure walked out of it with silver hair ruffling from the windyndscape. Abraham had a smile, at first, thinking that it was his wife returning to him, though looking at her irises...


    It was scarlet-crimson.


    The beautifuldy, who was Lace, calmly sauntered towards him with a smirk stered on her face. It didn''t take long for her to stand in front of him, but he remained frozen unable to move. It was not like he didn''t want to move, but more like he couldn''t.


    ''A spell?'' Abraham raised his eyebrows as the dragoness touched his chin, maintaining her arrogant smirk. "I was wondering why the hesitance of this body of mine. It looks like you''re him, huh? Abraham Shepherd, the one that captured my heart."


    "Interesting..."

 Chapter 226: | 226 | TIMESKIP: Part Fourteen - Dragon of Destruction

    Unable to move, Abraham found himself in the mercy of the dragoness before him. An arrogant smirk remained on her face, looking down on everything that wasn''t herself. However, there was a tinge of glee as though she had found a toy to y with.


    "You aren''t Lace... Who the hell are you and what are you doing with her body?" He furrowed his eyebrows and questioned the dragoness with a scrutinizing gaze. The scarlet crimson irises were already a sign, resulting in his doubts. But speaking to her made him confirmed it.


    There was no way she was his Lace, his wife.


    "Please... Don''t misunderstand." The edges of her lips rose further as her fingers slithered across his body. "While I''m not exactly her, I am her. We are one in the same, two sides of the same coin."


    "Confusing, isn''t it? I too was confused by the strangeness of our circumstance." The dragoness lightly chuckled, standing behind the middle-aged man. "However, after seeing you with my own eyes, things seemed to have been clearer."


    "So, a dual-personality? You''re another personality of her?" Abraham raised his eyebrows, finally understanding the situation of his wife. But a personality disorder was something he didn''t expect Lace to have. She was the one with the most control of her life.


    It was strange to see her lose control of her body to an alternate personality.


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    "Perhaps, maybe, I don''t know and I don''t care." The dragoness continued chuckling as she stood in front of Abraham, wearing Lace''s face. "What matters is that with you by my side. Things will be bound to be interesting. After all, you''re the only one I can''t feel arrogant towards."


    "I am not here to y games with you. I want my wife back." Abraham dered, determined to get back Lace. What he wanted was his wife, not an alternate personality masquerading as herself. Though, his words merely made her amused.


    "You want your wife back... Are you sure you really want her back, my Love?" The dragoness remarked, tilting its head. He found himself confused as to what it was trying to say. But her following words brought his resolve to a halt.


    "I can smell other women from your body, my Love."


    "My, my... What have you been doing while I''m far from home?" She inquired with a sly smile, whispering over his ears. "It must be them, correct? The stone-faced girl and my subordinate. From the smell of it, their efforts must have taken months."


    "Quite longer than expected," She shook her head, disappointed by how it took for them to take Abraham for themselves. "I should be feeling saddened, like a usual life, but I hope you haven''t forgotten the deal we made."


    "W-What deal?" Abraham didn''t remember making any deals with Lace. They haven''t been betting in anything since the creation of the United World Government, so... It was at this moment that he remembered her words before he final battle against the Colonial Dominion of Terra.


    "It seems that you already remember."


    "I''m delighted that your memories didn''t dwindle to dust while I was gone." She chuckled once again, pinching his chin and pulling it closer to hers. "Since victory is mine to attain, I hope you will follow your end of the deal."


    Abraham had no idea what she was talking about. While he remembered the two of them making a deal whether he could maintain his monogamous beliefs, he didn''t know what would happen to him if he would ever lose.


    "Don''t be afraid, my Love. I won''t be harsh." The dragoness slowly slithered her fingers from his chest towards his pants. He quickly understood what she was trying to do and declined. "We can''t do this. You''re pregnant."


    As dragon autonomy was different than that of a human, he had no idea whether or not doing it while being pregnant was safe or not. He''d rather not risk losing his child over a moment of pleasure.


    "There''s no need to worry, after all." The dragoness guided his hands and ced them into his stomach. Touching it, he could feel nothing peculiar. It shook them down to his very core, a realization striking him.


    "Such despair, my Love. But you seemed to have misunderstand. Our child doesn''t reside in my womb anymore." The dragoness smiled and turned her gaze towards the ruined castle of the Anaconda Kingdom. "It is in the form of an egg, incubating to be my next kin."


    Abraham understood that his realization was fortunately wrong, but he red at the dragoness, his resolved increasing by the moment. "That deal was with Lace. I can barely consider you as her. So, don''t you dare touch me."


    "You have no hold over me, Dragon of Destruction!" Breaking away from the control magic, Abraham backed away, narrowing his eyes at the dragoness, who merely gazed at him with intrigue. "I already expected it to be difficult."


    "After all, there''s no way for the mate I have picked to be so spineless." It seems that his rejection merely brought excitement to the dragoness. Though, whether it brought her excitement or not didn''t matter. He must bring out Lace from whatever she was currently in.


    Abraham rushed forward and was about to throw a punch towards the dragoness, aiming to knock her out. But, a barrier quickly separated the two of them, resulting in a shockwave sting out towards him. He clenched his fist, not hesitating to strike once again.


    ''External Release...'' He thought as the heavens and earth surged onward towards the dragoness. But in mere moments, several spell circles materialized in thin air, rotating and revolving around her. As they made their revolution, an array formed, directly pointed at the middle-aged man.


    A brilliant light gleamed, blinding everything in its way. Abraham had no choice but to squint his eyes and slightly cover his sight with his arms. It was too blinding, an ordinary creature would have their eyes burnt into crisped.


    What followed after the unparalleled radiance piercing throughout every direction was a deafening roar that sted everything in its wake. It reverberated, like a thunderous bell dering the birth of destruction.


    *BOOOOOOMMMM!!!*


    "Damn it!" Abraham was blown away by the shockwave, propelling him a distance away from where he stood. He gracefullynded amidst the rubble, his gaze directed at the dragoness, who stood idly without care.


    "You''re far from an ordinary human, my Love. I thought of it as power brought about by my blood, but it seems that there are things even I don''t know about you."


    "But I guess, that makes things exciting for me." She softly sniggered, not taking him seriously at all. Although, Abraham wasn''t that much bothered by it as he had already seen what would happen if she was taking something seriously.


    He would have gotten burnt to the crisps the moment he made hisnding into the devastated capital city of Anaconda.


    Abraham disappeared from his spot, leaving no trace of him behind. The dragoness calmly gazed at the surroundings filled to the brim with silence and sce. Her eyes moved as though tracking something that wasn''t there.


    She slightly moved to the side as the air beside her was sted away. She shifted back, as the surge of wind shattered everything in front. Each attacks were easily and efficiently dodge with less movement as possible.


    It was clear that she was stalling, like a predator ying with its prey.


    Abraham emerged behind her and was about to give her a kick into the side, but she quickly countered with her own, instantly hitting Abraham''s body. But his body soon became mist, as a fist appeared from her side.


    *BOOM!!!*


    Another explosion resounded as the dragoness was blown away. She quicklynded a couple of meters away from her former position as a barrier fractured from the side of her body. She had no injuries as magicraft took care of the fist that was about to strike her down.


    "He''s learning..." The dragoness muttered to herself as a soft smile formed on her face. The relentless attacks of Abraham were beginning troublesome to handle with time. His ability to adapt to ovee his circumstance was remarkable.


    "It looks like you weren''t wrong about everything you said about him. You win." The dragoness quietly murmured with a sigh as Abraham emerged in front of her and was about to throw the strongest punch he could ever conjure. After all, there was no used holding back against his wife.


    She was too strong for him to handle. His strongest attack might not even bother her at all.


    Abraham''s strikended, bringing about an even more stronger explosion. The winds surged outward alongside the dust of rubbles left behind by the devastated capital city. The middle-aged man felt a bit of relief when his attack finally hit its target.


    Though, as the dust surrounding them faded. His relief would soon turn to worry.


    He felt something clenching over his fist, signifying that his attack was ineffective at all. It made him feel powerless, even though he was merely fighting against his wife. But light quickly returned to his eyes as an annoyance sigh resounded.


    "I can''t believe you were throwing damnable punches near our child." Her voice resounded, a tone he was familiar with. Lace''s golden irises shimmered, its beautiful enrapturing him once again. "Looks like you''ll need to be taught a lesso-"


    Before she could continue, Abraham hugged her as tightly as possible. The edges of his lips rose as he muttered towards her pale ears.


    "You''re always a problem dragon, aren''t you?"

 Chapter 227: | 227 | TIMESKIP: Part Fifteen - Laplaces Return

    "Does my husband want to cuddle?" Lace teased with a grin as Abraham hugged her tightly. He quickly halted his embrace, coughing to calm his pounding heart down. He was delighted beyond expectations as if the world had returned to what it once was.


    "Sorry, couldn''t control myself there." Abraham wryly smiled, but Lace merely chuckled before kissing him for the first time in several months. "My husband deserves a reward for waking me up."


    Their lips and tongue entangled with one another, saliva melding with glee. It was a long passionate kiss, a much needed embrace for the two of them. The two backed away after spending a fiery moment together as Lace took notice of a bump on her husband''s pants.


    "Quite a greedy one aren''t you?" Lace smirked, shaking her head at his antiques. It appears that her husband didn''t change during their time away from each other. It was a good thing as she didn''t want her husband transformed into someone else without her by his side.


    "Ehem... Let''s not talk about that." Abraham cough, embarrassingly rubbing the back of his head. But as he nced around, he took noticed of the destruction brought about by their recent battle. The ruinedndscape of the capital city had long faded, reced by a t surface of dust and ash.


    Other than the devastated castle in the center of the capital, there were no structures around. It reminded him of the fallen country that had faced its destruction from the wrath brought about by the Dragon of Destruction. Although, it was an alternate personality, it was still his wife regardless.


    The gears inside his mind began turning, trying to solve a troublesome issue that was about toe. But before he could find a solution, he must truly understand what the Dragon of Destruction really was.


    Turning his gaze towards Lace, he calmly remarked. "I''d like to hear some exnation about that alternate version of you. It was problematic to fight her in your body. I found it difficult to go all out." His words made Lace raised her eyebrows, staring at the destruction that surrounded them.


    Abraham merely avoided her questioning gaze as he couldn''t deny that it was mostly his attacks that ttened the ground around them. After all, it was his External Release which affected the heavens and earth, aiding him in his battle.


    Her spells were merely a beam of light, leaving nothing but craters and fissures on the ground. Its destruction wasn''t as expansive as his, which practically manipted the ground to crumble under hismand.


    Lace soon sighed as she understood that a civilization once stood in the ruined, sinking ind. Her golden irises shimmered as she exined her thoughts about what had happened.


    "When I was leaving the sovereignty of the United World Government, heading towards the Frontier. I lost my consciousness to my instincts, bing nothing more but a wild animal. As you would expect, a pregnant wild animal tend to be sensitive in their surroundings."


    "Anything they perceive as a threat would be or should be destroyed. It was for this reason that I left the United World Government. I couldn''t trust myself to not perceive anyone other than myself as a threat. I didn''t know what happened after I cked out."


    "But there are some tiny bits of fragmented memories going around. I found a great spot to incubate my egg, but needed a few months to release it from my system. I drove out the locals guarding the ce and made it my home."


    "It must have been an important ind as they seemed ferocious and determined to get it back. First they started an army, then after all were decimated, they began sending scattered groups across the ind. Naturally, all ofthem died."


    Lace had no regrets as she spoke of what she remembered. While she shouldn''t have intruded in a popted ind, there were many better ideas than trying to fight a dragon, a gargantuan one at that. Even a normal dragon would have been so feared, so it made her wonder what had gone through the minds of those guys.


    "To warn them, I had to sink a few inds nearby. But from the looks of it, the warning never gone through them. After all, they sent another army much bigger than before. The ind I considered a temporary home was practically under sieged."


    "I was angered by the arrogance of such insects. I destroyed their enemies one after another and made them retreat. Though, I simply didn''t end it there. I followed their retreating fleet back to their homnd and gave them about a week to leave their country."


    "They seemed to be stubborn with the monarch stopping anyone from leaving his kingdom. However, burning through the castle practically let them all loose. Most citizens evacuated this kingdom, but many warriors stayed behind for their honor."


    "I don''t remember much about them, perhaps they were too weak for me to remember." Lace ended her exnation, bringing about silence on the way. She lowered her head, understanding what she had done. But she felt her husband''s hand over her head, patting it like before.


    "No matter how much I preach about things. I''m still a human, and I tend to be biased to my family. Quite an unpleasant personality, indeed." Abraham lightly chuckled as his gaze narrowed, realizing about what he should do regarding the fallen kingdom.


    From the words of his wife, the citizens of the kingdom were still alive. Somewhere in the Frontier, perhaps roaming through the seas or already colonizing another ind. Since months had already passed, he would have to investigate their whereabouts. Readtest stories on m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    Them being alive made thingsplicated. At the very least, if there was no one, he could pin the me to someone or something else. But with witnesses numbering in the thousands, it was troublesome to handle without some maniption within the poption.


    "If you have an unpleasant personality, then I might have a crazy one. We already lived in a civilized world, after all." Lace muttered, shaking her head. What she had done was wrong regardless of her reasons.


    "Well, I think I''m already deranged man for marrying a crazy woman." Abraham responded with a smile, making the dragoness give him a side eye. "Even in this situation, you still find various ways to seduce me. What a bad man you are, Abraham."


    "What can I say? My wife is too beautiful for me to resist." Abraham said as the edges of his lips rose, though before he could continue speaking. He felt Lace pinch his ears, dragging it along with her while heading towards the castle.


    "So, I remembered about the think about Charlotte and Mercedes." She uttered while keeping her fingers to his ears. Abraham didn''t resist and replied while getting dragged away. "Well, it wasn''t their fault. I simply made them do it." He tried smiling, but it wasn''t a good one.


    "Bullsh*t, my Love. You think I don''t know what kind of man you are? Unless they put their pussy on your face, you would never notice them making a move." Lace''s words were worrisome and straightforward, but it wasn''t wrong.


    "I- Please forgive them, Lace. I wi-" Before Abraham could continue apologizing for the two, Lace asked a question that dumbfounded him. "Hmm... How did it happen and how did the three of you do it? Did you take them one by one?"


    The question was too astounding even for Abraham, but noticing the scrutinizing gaze of his wife. He didn''t have a choice but to answer. "Eh, well... It was only for one night. It started with me and Charlotte, but Mercedes joined along the way."


    "Damn... Threesome? How lucky!" Lace pouted as she was annoyed that the two managed to experience it before her. On the other hand, Abraham felt the gears of his mind breaking into pieces. He couldn''t help but wonder if he had actually married a crazy dragoness.


    "So, regarding Mercedes. How did the two of you do it?" Lace continued her questioning like a vexing fan discussing about her favorite erotica in the open. "I- What do you mean by that?" Abraham had a question mark, curious about what Lace meant.


    She shook her head annoyance as if looking down on her husband for not being able to answer it. "You understand what I mean." Lace showed off her body as if trying to give her husband a point. It took some time, but Abraham finally realized what she wanted to know.


    "I don''t know how to say it, but... I guess we did it in her beastfolk form." Abraham rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed by the questioning of Lace. "So, you did it with her fur around?" Lace had a shocked expression, while an unexpected monotone voice emerged out of nowhere.


    | A Furry |


    ''Systema?'' Abraham was somewhat surprised as she wasn''t the type to be active when it wasn''t something important rted to the United World Government. But, to think she would merely leave a goddamn remark after abandoning him.


    "It seems that you aren''t as much of a conservative as I thought, Abraham. I didn''t think you would fuck her with the fur around. Damn..." Lace felt as though she was hearing about a strange telenov about a beastfolk and a human.


    "Hmm... Would it work in my dragon form." She quietly murmured to herself, curious about the thought. Meanwhile, Abraham heard her words, resulting in shivers into his spine.


    "Please don''t."

 Chapter 228: | 228 | TIMESKIP: Part Sixteen - Daughter?

    Walking into the halls of the ruined castle of the fallen kingdom, Abraham found himself staring at the decors of serpentine beastfolks. Despite the devastated state of the structure, they remained intact, keeping themselves to the walls. Explore stories on mvl


    "It''s beautiful." He murmured while gazing at all kinds of statues and paintings throughout the long-winding halls. Lace nced at him with a smile, cing both of her hand at her back and remarked. "I wouldn''t have picked it, if it wasn''t."


    "Is the owner of this ce dead?" Abraham questioned, curious about the monarch that had owned the castle beforehand. The edges of the dragoness''s lips rose as she calmly responded with a tinge of sarcasm. "The king couldn''t abandon the castle."


    "For without it, he wouldn''t be a king at all." Lace stated the reason why the king didn''t leave along with the evacuating citizens nor did he even agree to their evacuation. He was afraid of losing his power once the country was lost.


    "I see... I guess it is what it is." Abraham muttered to himself, nodding in understanding. Perhaps death was better for the king than the lost of authority that woulde after the fall of the kingdom. Especially if he wasn''t extremely popr with the people.


    "Anyhow, Abraham. I''m curious about the development of the United World Government. How far of our country had grown?" She tilted her head, wondering about the advancement they had made regarding their sovereignty within the Ferus Sea.


    "Development, huh? Well, I guess immigration is increasing by the moment. Beastfolks and humans alike are entering our country, mostlynding themselves into Dawn City. To be honest, the city had grown spectacrlyrge, there should be more than two hundred thousand people in it by now."


    "They call Dawn City as the City of Opportunity, I don''t know where they got that from. At any rate, most of theme from the Frontier, and their immigration is constantly affecting surrounding countries. This cause our rtionship with them to be rather tense."


    Abraham sighed to himself as he had already decided to not intervene with the United World Government until thepletion of the Naval Task. Things seemed to be going well, of course, he hoped it would go well.


    "There are bing more of us, huh?" Lace was a bit surprised that the United World Government had grown farrger than ever before. Especially Dawn City, which was the metropolis under her guardianship.


    "I''d like to be the bearer of good news, but criminal activities have been growing fast in Dawn City. Since your departure, criminal organizations have popped up one after another. Fortunately, the rate of increase hadn''t affected other nearby cities."


    "Though, it did make Dawn City the most dangerous city of the United World Government with how much crimes happened inside. Slums are also being created as therge number of immigrants have been oversaturating the city with people."


    "While there are jobs, most of them need strict requirements. Most of the lower ie jobs have been taken by those before them. As a result, the existence of the slums further increased criminal activities in Dawn City."


    Abraham didn''t hesitate to discuss about the bad news brought about by the massive increase in terms of immigrant poption in the city. The UCIS, or the United Citizenship and Immigration Services were having a difficult time handling the poption boom.


    "I see... I guess I will have to go do some clean up once I return." A scary smile formed on Lace''s face as though preparing to clean some filth that had snuck into her home. Abraham didn''t find it troublesome as criminal activities might lessen once Lace''s around.


    There would be no need for him to intervene.


    "Other than that, the As Corporation have grown overseas. They have constructed branches in nearby countries, superseding the trade between the United World Government and the foreign neighbors that surrounds it. Mercedes is doing great as the Director."


    "There''s also the Bestian Confederacy. Its confederate government is currently undergoing through structural purge after someone almost assassinated the confederate leader in a conference. The country is quite chaotic, especially the warlords that reside south of it."


    "Are you letting it fall?" Lace asked, curious about the ns of her husband. Abraham looked at her for a moment before replying. The edges of his lips rose as he replied. "The Bestian Confederacy is not that much different than the warlords below it."


    "While keeping it would give us a semnce of stability in the surrounding sea region, we can''t stop destiny from taking what it had imed. If it copses, it copses. There''s no need for the United World Government to intervene with the politics of foreign powers."


    "Alright, though I didn''t expect by husband to be so rigorous, but that''s what I love about you." Lace smirked at Abraham, who nced away, pretending to not understand the meaning of her words. Before the two could continue conversing however, a voice interrupted the two of them.


    "Mother, is that Father?" It was a soft-spoken voice, akin to that of a child. When Abraham heard it, his eyebrows rose as he turned towards the direction of the voice. In the long-winded hall was a small girl wearing a pearly white summer dress of some kind.


    The little girl''s hair was pitch-ck as her golden irises shimmered with radiance, like Lace''s. Silver dragon-like horns protruded from her head along with an ivory-tinted tailying behind her. An aloof expression covered her face as she held a dragon plushy in-between her small fingers.


    She was a beautiful little one, and mostly importantly, very cute.


    Abraham nced at Lace as though asking for confirmation. The dragoness smugly nodded as she ran onward to give the little girl a tight hug. "My cute little lizard," She pinched the little girl''s cheeks, snuggling her face.


    The little girl could barely resist the onught of her mother. She was within the dragoness''s mercy, and there was nothing she could do about it. Abraham stood behind the snuggling Lace, and also softly touch the little girl''s cheeks.


    Only one word could escaped his mouth.


    "Cute..."

 Chapter 229: | 229 | TIMESKIP: Part Seventeen - The Little Dragon

    "Of course, I''m adorable." The little dragon pouted at the middle-aged man, who wryly smiled. Abraham stood beside Lace and steadily pulled her away from the child, wanting to get some answers from the dragoness.


    The two adults stood in front of one another while the little dragon idled nearby, holding into the stuff dragon toy between her fingers. Abraham gazed at Lace''s golden irises and asked. "So, Lace... My Love, how is our daughter already looking like a two-year-old child?"


    Lace merely raised her eyebrows from his question and slowly presented herself as the answer. Abraham couldn''t help but facepalmed, understanding that his question was a dumb one. He sighed to himself and continued speaking.


    "Is this how it usually goes for dragons?" He questioned, earning the nod of the dragoness and her following exnation. "Dragon children are somewhatplicated, but in simpler terms, they are thebination of you and me."


    "I mean... Isn''t that usually how children goes?" Abraham was confused as to what Lace was trying to say. Of course, their children would be abination of the two of them. Why wouldn''t it be? Noticing his confusion, Lace sighed and thoughtfully exined it as detailed as possible.


    "When a new dragon gets birth. They take memories of their parents with them as to assure their survival after being born. After all, usually, a newborn dragon gets abandoned by their parents after being incubated as an egg. Their survival practically depends on whether or not they could actually survive or not."


    "To have an assurance of their survival, the incubation would speed-up the process of growth. The moment they break away from the confines of the egg, they would be a dragon youngling." Lace pouted, disappointed that she had to exin it all to her husband.


    "I see... I guess it all make senses now. Wouldn''t that mean that she would have both of our memories from past to the present?" Abraham asked, to which Lace calmly nodded.


    "She will have our memories, although the most useful ones. Even then, such memories would be fragmented to a certain relief." Lace continued, rifying how much of their memories would bebined together.


    "Our memories will be a library of knowledge for her to use. Is that what you''re trying to say?" He inquired, making the dragoness nod in agreement. "I guess a library is a good metaphor for it."


    "Dragons are usually considered as the apex of nature, which means that many would be hunting its young. The transfer of knowledge is needed since it would assure that she wouldn''t be ignorant of the truth of this world."


    "As long as it doesn''t affect her too much, it''s all goo-"


    "Are the two of you done?" Before Abraham could continue, a soft-spoken voice emerged below him. It was none other than his daughter, who gazed at him with her golden irises. Abraham softly smiled, pinching her cheeks and remarked. "I''m sure you understand the importance of adult meetings?"


    "Eh... The two of you are taking too much time talking. I mean, I understand. Being separated apart for far too lon-" The little dragon was pinched once again by both Abraham and Lace, who didn''t need a reminder about their circumstance.


    "When did you learn to be so cheeky, Little Lizard? I wasn''t this cheeky when I was young." Lace remarked with a tone of exasperation. "Excuse me? I was a good boy when I was young too." Abraham couldn''t take the usation, though his defense ended when the little lizard pointed at him.


    "Ehem... I mean cheekiness is good too." Abraham straightened his back and rubbed the back of his head from embarrassment. He didn''t remember himself to be someone like that. But it appears that his memory has failed him.


    "Anyhow, does our daughter have a name?" He questioned the dragoness, who nced at the little girl and promptly shook her head. "I haven''t name her yet. Do you want to name her, Abraham?" Lace grinned at the middle-aged man.


    "My naming sense is horrible, so I guess not." Abraham responded, understanding his skewered naming sense. He didn''t want his daughter to fall victim to it. "Come on, my Love. You can do it with enough resolve!" Lace dered with captivation.


    Falling into it like he always would, the middle-aged man regained some of his confidence in naming and gazed at his daughter. The little girl stood and tilted her head while staring at him. Her face remained aloof, though puff and cute.


    After a short while of thinking, Abraham finally concluded his thoughts and reawakened back with a name in mind. "What about Tiamat? I mean, it isn''t cute. But it sounds good, right?"


    "Tiamat?" The little girl walked forward, her golden irises sparkling. Her eye-color soon changed, bing sapphire-like. Abraham nced at Lace, a bit worried by the change. Though, she gave nothing more but a thumbs up, not paying it a heed.


    "Looks like my little lizard finally has a name for herself, Little Tiamat, huh?" Lace hugged the little girl, snuggling her cheeks with the soft face of her daughter. It was difficult to maintain herposure when her daughter was so cute.


    Abraham looked at the two of them with a smile, wanting their family to be together forever. He couldn''t help but nced at the horizon with a simple wish of peace in mind. Although, it also made him more resolved than ever before.


    To have peace was to have power. Enough power that would keep everything and everyone away from hurting his family. If they do, however... It wouldn''t merely be his wrath they would be facing. The wrath of the United World Government would consume them and their allies.


    "But Abraham, how did you manage to find me here? I thought that Anaconda was far from the borders of the Frontier. It shouldn''t be easy for anyone to find me." Lace asked while snuggling with Tiamat, who had already given up struggling against her mother.


    "Well, magi-technology has been advancing fairly well in the United World Government. The R&D Department have created a spatial-transmission engine called HERMES to facilitate the possibilities of utilizing spatial-maniption in our military and perhaps general infrastructure."


    "It''s the kind of technology that has been proven well through the Colonial Dominion. If we managed to utilize such technology, it might propel us further up in the powers of the Ferus Sea." Abraham coolly answered, while patting the head of his aloof daughter.


    Even he, himself, couldn''t resist her cuteness.


    "Teleportation, huh? Quite a troublesome variable to handle." Lace remarked as she understood theplexities and the troubles thate along with the piece of technology. "I hope its tightly secured. Even if runic spatial-transmission is popr with humans, it''s still a piece of dangerous technology."


    "It''s not a problem, my Love. The R&D Department has been considered as a highly vital and confidential part of the United World Government. Other than the higher echelons of the World Government, they are the most protected personnel in the country." Abraham answered with confidence.


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    The security and intelligencework that the United World Government had formed within its interior and the outside had long been realized. The foundation of such an array was something that would take years to uncover. The prime minister of the UWG, Charlotte, made sure of it.


    "At any rate, how about we return to the United World Government? They must be worried sick after I left without warning." Abraham uttered with a smile, to which Lace furrowed her eyebrows while staring at him. "You left without giving at least a sign?"


    "I apologize for the failure, my Love. I was too worried about your safety." Abraham stated with a smile, making Lace blushed. Although, Tiamat tilted her head and remarked. "Isn''t father merely worried about mother causing more trouble for him?"


    The words of the little one echoed throughout the ruinous hall of Anaconda. Abraham froze and felt cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Lace kept smiling at him, though the smile was something he was familiar with.


    It brought him chills while remembering what it was.


    "It seems that my husband has grown to be a liar since my departure. How should I deal with this peculiar problem, Tiamat?" Lace pouted though her eyes remained cold as she inquired her daughter. Tiamat nced at her mother and felt a bit of chills while Abraham gazed at his daughter with hope.


    "I think the reason why father doesn''t want mother to cause more trouble is because he is worried for her safety." The little one responded, earning the narrowed eyes of the dragoness.


    "I guess that make sense. I always trust you, my Little Dragon." Once again, Lace snuggled with Tiamat, who couldn''t even mount a struggle. Behind Lace, Abraham gave a thumbs up, promising himself to pamper Little Tiamat once they return.


    "Ehem, we should return home, Lace." Abrahammented while the dragoness was in her snuggle session with her daughter. Lace halted, realizing that this wasn''t the time or ce to snuggle. With this in mind, she nodded in agreement and asked her husband.


    "Do you want to ride me, my Love?" Her words resounded, causing the middle-aged man to blush. Lace merely smirked and continued. "Of course, I don''t mean it that way. We can do that once we return home. Perhaps more with Charlotte and Mercedes in tow."


    Meanwhile, Little Tiamat gazed at the two of them with an aloof expression. She had already given up trying to find some normality from her strange parents. Struggling would merely prolong a needless suffering. It was better to let go than maintain expectations of some sort.

 Chapter 230: | 230 | TIMESKIP: Part Eighteen - Ladies Dialogue

    In the United World Government, Charlotte had just heard the news about the disappearances of the Authority from Citadel. It practically brought about a maelstrom from the lowest to the highest administrative and military personnel.


    The disappearance of their leader brought greater effects, but fortunately, she managed to calmed things down after assuring the innumerable personnel of the United World Government of the Authority''s safety.


    "Abraham... I can''t believe he left without warning." Charlotte shook her head in annoyance, not wanting to think about the troublesome man that had left some kind of mental pandemonium in the country.


    "It seems that Sir Abraham has found Lady Lace." In front of the Prime Minister was the Director of the As Corporation, Mercedes, a silver wolf beastfolk. The lycanthrope had a good point as Abraham wouldn''t leave the Citadel with clear reasons.


    "Lace, huh? It''s been several months since she departed the country. I hope she''s alright." Charlotte remarked, a bit worried about the status of the dragoness. Even though Lace was a dragon, she was still a pregnant woman with the usual troubles of one.


    "I''m sure that Lady Lace is in good condition. She''s stronger than anything in the United World Government." Mercedes smirked, confident about the capabilities of her superior. In her mind, Lace was far more powerful than anyone else.


    Perhaps, only Abraham, himself, could rival her.


    "I guess that make sense."


    "Anyhow, our economy has been on the risetely. It''s all thanks to the As Corporation advancing the foreign trade onward. Neighboring countries are purchasing our products in bulk, which deals a great benefit for the United World Government." Charlotte smiled at the silver wolf.


    "The As Corporation is merely managing trade. Companies have been popping up buying and selling our products to foreign countries. From hygiene products, pens, books, and many more. Besides, there''s farrger problems to handle." Mercedes stated, earning the frown of Charlotte.


    Charlotte wasn''t ignorant of the circumstance in Dawn City. Since the disappearance of Lace, criminal activities have been steadily rising along with criminal organizations popping up in the slums. "The slums... Has anyone found a way to solve the problem?"


    She questioned the silver wolf, wanting to know about the ns they had regarding the growing slums. The eyes of Mercedes narrowed as she thought about ways of solving the slums. But it was aplicated problem that needed a much moreplex solution.


    "The slums have been created because of the booming immigrant poption of Dawn City. There are more jobs than people, specifically, lower-end jobs that can be easily caught on even with measly education. We can increase the amount of jobs, but it all depends on the market demand."


    "Otherwise, we would risk inting it instead."


    "There''s also the question whether or not they would be willing to go onward. Maybe they are alreadyfortable in their situation, not wanting it to be disrupted in some way." Mercedes responded as she herself had no idea how to solve it despite heavily thinking about it.


    "Many areining about the increase in criminal activities near and inside the slums. Ourw enforcement can''t get into it without riling up the locals inside." Charlotte sighed to herself, annoyed by the troublesome situation at hand.


    "How do you propose in taking care of it?" Mercedes asked, curious about the idea that the Prime Minister had in mind. "That solution of such a problem is for the governor of Dawn City to handle." Charlotte chuckled, remarking that it wasn''t her problem.


    "At the very least, the increase in crime rate hadn''t affected nearby inds as well. Otherwise, it wouldn''t do us any good."


    "That''s what you keep saying to yourself." Mercedesmented as she knew more about theplexities of the immigrant poption throughout the states of the United World Government. The State of Minos along with the State of Pgo have been facing increased immigration since the past month.


    With it,w and order has been difficult for them to enact as there were too much foreign poption to handle than expected.


    Hearing thements of Mercedes, Charlotte wryly smiled as she wondered how she had gotten it wrong. Maybe if it was Abraham leading the United World Government, the problems now wouldn''t have popped up to be so troublesome.


    Noticing the doubts in Charlotte''s face, Mercedes sighed and calmly uttered to the Prime Minister. "Leading a country isn''t always without troubles. What matters the most is how you handle it. The policies you enact would be your weapons and tools against the problems you face."


    "If you need help, you could always call the As Corporation to take care of the hustling part of taking out trashes." Mercedes winked at Charlotte, who promptly smiled at her words. "I''d rather not let them face a corporation''s brutality."


    "But thanks for the suggestion."


    "I guess a meeting should be made to open up theplex issues at hand. At the very least, I would be able to hear the suggestions and thoughts of the senate before enacting a policy to the popce." Charlotte muttered to herself, earning the nod of the Director.


    "Hearing the opinion of others is a good start, though if it was my superior, she would have raided the slums in its entirety in the name of peace." Mercedes chuckled, feeling a bitplicated since it felt as though she was badmouthing Lady Lace.


    As she turned her gaze towards the Prime Minister, Mercedes noticed the frozen face of Charlotte. The silver wolf raised her eyebrows, slowly turning to back. At the same time, her body froze in shocked, unable to believe the scene before her.


    "W- What?" Standing in the front door of the Prime Minister''s office was a gorgeousdy with silver hair and golden irises. Her body emanated the pressure of dominion as though making others instinctively kneel before her very presence.


    "It seems that the two of you have learned to badmouth me while I''m gone. Do you not understand how disappointed I am?" The gorgeousdy narrowed her eyes, seeing that her supposed friends tarnishing her while she was away.


    "They aren''t badmouthing you, Lace. The two are merely speaking of the trut-" Before Abraham could continue, Lace softly elbowed his stomach, halting him from talking further. The middle-aged man felt chills in his spine, deciding to retreat for the meantime.


    Returning her attention to the two, Lace smirked and opened her arms, quickly hugging them in session. "It''s been a while, my friends. I have heard a lot about your escapades with my husband. How dare you do a threesome without me."


    Her remarks caused Abraham to facepalmed, giving up in understanding the dragoness. On the other hand, her words caused the twodies to wake up. The first to mutter a single word was Mercedes. "L-Lady Lace... You''re back?"


    "Of course, I''m back. Do you think I''ll be gone forever while you try to eat by husband behind my back?" Lace puffed up her chest, not backing down against the twodies that had touched her husband. She would be willing to fight for love if needed to.


    "Eh... Lace, great you''ve finally returned." Charlotte had aplicated smile as she had troubles in processing the emotion that had consumed her mind. It was strange, to say the least, but most of all, she was relieved.


    Her eyebrows quickly furrowed as she red at the middle-aged man beside the dragoness. "Abraham Shepherd, you dare leave without warning? Do you know that you brought pandemonium into the government with your disappearance?"


    "How dare you leave me with a problem." Clearly, she wasn''t happy with his untimely disappearance in the Citadel, which caused chaos in the military and the administration of the United World Government.


    "Don''t worry about him, Charlotte. I already had a talk with me about that." Lace waved her hands back and forth, making the Prime Minister calmed her rage into its minimum levels. "I guess I shouldn''t be too angry about it."


    "Apologies for acting like a child." Charlotte once again sighed to herself, lumping her body into the seat. Lace walked around the table and stood beside the Prime Minister, massaging her shoulders. "It seems that our stone-faced girl has been working hard."


    "Leading a country must be difficult, huh?" Lace remarked as she kept massaging the body of Charlotte, who steadily rxed herself. The Prime Minister aloofly uttered. "Going to war is far easier than trying to make an entire nation stable."


    "Heh... You ran out of luck the moment you got elected as the Prime Minister." Lace chuckled at the suffering of the stone-faced girl in front of her. Charlotte merely raised one of her eyebrows, but decided to let it go instead.


    "Anyhow, I want the two of you to meet my child." The moment the dragoness uttered such words. Charlotte and Mercedes finally remembered that Lace was previously pregnant to begin with. It was due to this that she needed to temporarily leave from the United World Government.


    Their backs quickly straightened as Abraham carried a little girl forward like a cat with its paw onward. The little girl had jet-ck hair and sapphire-like irises, though her silver horns and tails practically dered whose daughter she was.


    "Meet my daughter, the cutest of the world, the most adorable dragon that has ever existed, Tiamat!" Abraham ced her on top of the table as if he ced the greatest treasure that has ever been hailed in the United World Government.


    Tiamat gazed upon the twodies, deciding that acting like a child would do her better faith. Eating up her pride, she looked at them cutely and move her hand forward like a paw.


    "Rawr..."

 Chapter 231: | 231 | TIMESKIP: Part Nineteen - Tiamat

    "Oh my~ She''s too cute..." Charlotte couldn''t resist the adorable temptations of the little dragon as she softly pinched the tiny girl''s mushy cheeks. The Prime Minister had been charmed, especially after the little one''s attempt in giving a roar.


    It felt as though she might get a heart attack from the sweetness if she wasn''t careful enough.


    On the other hand, Mercedes felt her tail wagging from behind, somewhat excited towards the little dragon in front of her. The tiny girl was none other than the daughter of the Authority and the Dragon of Liberation. She was practically their spitting image.


    The twodies werepletely entranced by Tiamat''s adorable charm. They were quickly defeated in mere moments after the little girl''s appearance.


    "Isn''t she the most cutest daughter? I can''t believe she''s mine~" Lace didn''t hesitate and joined in, snuggling her face with her daughter''s cheeks. Her dragon tail swayed left and right, delighted with the praise that her daughter had gotten.


    Abraham observed the two, sighing to himself, Charlotte and Mercedes seemed to be ignorant about the elephant in the room. Though, he couldn''t gather the resolve to interrupt their moments with one another.


    Especially when it was his daughter at the middle of it.


    "Her name is Tiamat, a little dragon and my daughter." Abraham remarked, his voice echoing throughout the office of the Prime Minister. The two stopped snuggling with his little girl, slowly turning their gaze towards middle-aged man.


    "I can''t believe you would interrupt our time together, my Love. Look, your daughter is disappointed." Lace pointed at Tiamat, who remained as aloof as before. Her sapphire-like gaze remained distant, as expected of a dragon daughter.


    On the other hand, Tiamat had realized that the cute strategy wouldn''t work against her mother and her entourage. She needed some change of strategies, otherwise she would be a dressing doll amidst the group ofdies.


    Just the thought of it gave her shivers.


    There was only one person that she could rely on. And that was none other than her father. With determination seeping into her body, the little girl jumped down, running beside Abraham and hugging his leg tightly with her tiny hands.


    She gazed at thedies, who looked at her like hungry scavengers and pouted. "Father is mine." Her words echoed in the office, bringing thedies out from their hunger for cuteness


    "My, my~" Charlotte muttered to herself, a bit astounded by the deration of the little girl. Meanwhile, Mercedes''s eyes lit up as the little dragon was acting the same as her superior, already marking her subjects.


    But Lace humphed and pouted at the sight of her daughter hugging her husband''s legs with such determination. Her golden irises glimmered as she remarked. "I can''t believe my daughter is trying to take my husband away from me."


    "When did my innocent little lizard learned such things?" She mumbled, greatly saddened by the actions of her daughter. Although, it was clearly an act as both Abraham and Tiamat looked at her withplicated gazes. It was as though they were trying to hide their disappointment.


    "Come here, how about I take you around the city?" Abraham pulled Tiamat up, carrying her with remarkable ease. The little one nodded, her sapphire-like irises brimming with luster. She was curious about the world around her.


    Despite having some of thebined knowledge of her parents, there were still many questions that emerged within her mind. She wanted to find the answer of such questions, bing knowledgeable instead of being ignorant. Chapter Find:


    Besides, she also wondered about the United World Government, the country that her father had established. Although the nation maintained a democratic order through elected official such as the Prime Minister, her father stood at the top regardless..


    An eternal emperor.


    She was amazed how her father achieved such wonders. The ability to bring forth authority that controls hundreds of thousands of lives that were willing to follow not out of fear, but through loyalty and admiration.


    Perhaps it was her draconic blood yearning for dominion over what it considered as insects. Nevertheless, spending time with her father wasn''t a bad idea either.


    "Lace, how about you have a talk with your friends. It has been a while since the three of you got together, after all." Abraham suggested before walking out of the office. Lace softly smiled, calmly nodding at her husband while waving goodbye.


    "Alright, I''ll stay here for quite a while. Take care of the little lizard, my Love." Her voice muttered tranquility, the sound of a satisfied mother and wife.


    Abraham nodded as he opened the door to the office, leaving the three all by themselves. Silence soon encapsted the interior of the office as Lace''s golden eyes narrowed before questioning the two. "I heard that trouble has been popping up in this city."


    "Yeah, although I''d hate to admit it, those bastards have been building up criminal organizations in the slums. Their tendrils are beginning toy onward into the business district and downtown. It''s a bit difficult forw enforcement to handle them without inciting violence in the slums."


    Charlotte sighed to herself, clearly tired about the troubles of tiny cockroaches that never seemed to disappear no matter how much they get stomp.


    "How about the Special Response Division?" Lace asked, inquiring about the organization she had built from the ground up. While the SRD was reserved for handling problems with magicraft, she had never taught them to be ignorant of their surroundings.


    "Espada has been temporarilymanding the division in your stead. Though, he had maintained his distance from the problems of normality. To be honest, since your departure, the SRD has been the least active military organization of the United World Government."


    "I have been thinking about cutting some of their budget to allocate them into somewhere else. After all, even if they are useful against magical threats, the issues we face now are entirely domestic. Besides, the Cerberus have been quite popr because of their versatility."


    "They can handle anything and anyone as long as you order them to." Charlotte remarked, praising the organization under Mercedes. Lace leaned on the table, her arms folded across her chest. A cold expressiony over her face as she divulge.


    "I''ll be starting a purge in this city."

 Chapter 232: | 232 | TIMESKIP: Part Twenty - Beginning of the Purge

    Somewhere nearby the ports of Dawn City, an emptynd was filled to the brim with houses constructed from the barest of materials. Months had passed since the first settlers of the slums built the first houses. Thousands have emerged since then, and along with it, was crime.


    The settlers of the slums came from the Frontiers, searching for a ce to reside, one they could call home. When they heard of the United World Government, a country outside of the Frontier that treated beastfolk and humans as equal, they were delighted.


    It was a chance for a new beginning.


    However, reality was always disappointing. Their dreams for a new life was never a simple goal to attain. The moment they couldn''t adapt to the new society before them, they huddled together for warmth, building a ce for themselves instead.


    They were fortunate to have constructed their slums after the departure of the dragon. Otherwise, it wouldn''t havested more than a single thought from their minds if the dragon kept gazing down into the City of Dawn.


    It was early in the morning when posters fell from the sky, dropped down by a cargo transport aircraft. In the posters were warning for relocation as the government of dawn had decided to purge out the criminal organizations that had popped up within the slums.


    Naturally, the beastfolks residing in the slums were shocked. The government barely attended into their matters, they previously thought they were independent. After all, they had already built a ce for themselves, a ce they could call home.


    But nevertheless, they built their dwelling in thend of the United World Government. And it will take it back, for it wouldn''t be merciful against conquerors.


    "What do we do? They are giving us two days to prepare!"


    "I must warn our boss about this!"


    "Damn it, they are trying to exterminate us!"


    Crime-affiliated individuals were the most affected by the news as their organization would be affected by the relocation project of the World Government. Their gangs would be stripped apart from power, its members thrown away, leaving to rot beside the streets of Dawn.


    The reactions was the same throughout the slums. Many didn''t want to leave their homes. After all, they had already invested too much to build it. Although their way of life wasn''t satisfactory, there was no going back now.


    Within one of the crime den within the slums, a beastfolk ran forward, panting for air and exhausted by dashing as fast as possible to the den. He gazed forward, staring at an individual sitting on a throne of some kind. "Boss, the World Government is beginning to act."


    "They are starting some strategy to purge us."


    The lone beastfolk felt shivers as this was the greatest threat they had ever gone through. Fighting against gangs for territory in the slums had never felt so foreboding to himpared to this. It was as if death was beginning to creep into their door steps.


    "The government purging us, huh?"


    "They must think that those puny officers could handle the slums. Foolish and arrogant bastards!" The boss of the gang mmed his fist into the wall, annoyed by the government that had dared to impede the existence of his gang.


    There was no way they would be willing to get exterminated without fighting back. They weren''t cowards who weren''t willing to die, especially when they had gone through hell to reach the so-called dawn of their lives.


    Hearing the words of the boss, the surrounding members became agitated, cursing the World Government with what ever curse they could conjure. It wasn''t simply one gang, desiring to fight against whatever upation that the UWG ns to do.


    All of the gangs were willing to fight for their existence in the slums. Something that would have never happened several months ago. The relocation of the settlers would bring about untold chaos. But the path for peace was never a clean one.


    The Dragon of Liberation had returned, its nest beginning to be filled with filth. Obviously, it would burn every filth that it could see and fell, which was all of the filth in the nest.


    But bureaucracy was aplicated process. Even the Dragon of Liberation would have to build the logistics in undertaking such task. There might also be others in the government, resistant against the purge of the slums. But the dragoness was never someone who would shy away from conflict.


    So, a confrontation was enacted.


    In the headquarters of the Special Response Division, Lace walked through the hall, her steps steady and calm. Nheless, each of her steps resounded throughout the hall, calling about her presence, which forced everyone within to kneel.


    A cold expression smeared all over her face, disappointment and disgust clearly evident throughout her entirety. The members of the Special Response Division felt chills as her words soon echoed in the silent hall filled to the brim with dominance.


    "I have returned, and I see nothing but filth in my eyes. What has be of my division? For it to fall from grace, nothing more but a parasite seeping into the resources of the World Government. I didn''t train any of you to bezy, so I expect some exnation for this."


    "Otherwise, I will personally disband this organization and build another one from the ground up. I have all the time in the world to do so, along with the authority." Her voice wasced with piercing words, she was clearly in the bad mood.


    Lace shook her head and continued walking, reaching the elevator of the hall. The elevator slid open as she entered, pushing the button up. As the elevator closed, climbing upward, silence remained in the hall of the Special Response Division.


    The emergence of the dragoness was something they didn''t expect. Although not many knew of the reason regarding her departure, they weren''t ignorant about her pregnancy. They merely thought of it as her spending some time away with the Authority of the World Government.


    At any rate, none could utter a single word. They understood that the dragoness was disappointed by what the Special Response Division had be. Hailing as one of the popr military organizations in the United World Government since the beginning, it had fallen from its standing since her departure.


    There was also the policies of its current acting leader to not disturb the natural order of Dawn City, which was where its was based at. Policies which the Dragon of Liberation would have eradicated as she was part of the reason why criminal activities was at its lowest in Dawn City.


    Returning to Lace, she stood in the elevator, tapping her foot on the floor. She was impatient, ready to punish the bastard that was running the Special Response Division.


    "Espada, I didn''t let you be the leader of the Special Response Division to throw its hard work to the mud." She muttered to herself, remembering why she had made the Special Response Division as it was.


    Lace wanted to assure that the beastfolks had some power within the society her husband was building. Through the Special Response Division, they would be making a difference in the country, not some random saps awaiting for damnation.


    As the elevator reached the top floor of the headquarters, its metallic doors slid open. Stepping out of the elevator, she found herself in a familiar long-winded hallway. Turning her attention to the direction of her office, the dragoness walked towards it with wrath.


    Opening the doors to her office, she saw Espada, the acting leader of the Special Response Division. An expression of surprised was all over his face as she walked towards him with anger. "Espada, tell me a reason why I shouldn''t cripple you?"


    "M-Major Lace... I- I wasn''t trying to undermine your hard wor-" Before Espada could continue, Lace mmed her fist into his table, breaking it into pieces in mere moments. "You bastard! What the hell are you trying to do with the Special Response Division?"


    "I didn''t intend to overstep my bounds. I just didn''t want the Special Response Division to handle lower problems that weren''t against a militarized enemy." Espada stated his reasons as he merely made sure that the division remains on its goal to take down the Magus.


    "What the- What kind of bullshit is that? Lower problems? Do you think you''re some kind of god of some sort?" Lace couldn''t believe what she was hearing. While the Special Response Division was a military organization, its members were citizens of the United World Government.


    Regardless of reasons, they could aidew enforcement in suppressing crime when possible. The moment they stop doing so, the division would be disconnected with society, detached from its people.


    "Alright, get the hell out of my office. Don''t let me throw you out through the windows." She could barely calmed herself down. While not helping wasn''t a problem, directly issuing policies that forbade doing so was beyond foolish.


    It was the decision of the members whether they wish to aide the people of the UWG or not. And she didn''t teach them to be heartless bastards who only knew war.


    Espada scurried out from the office as the dragoness walked towards the windows, standing in front of it. The society of the United World Government was beginning to be detached with one another. It was the same as the countries she had seen before.


    And those countries had long be ruins forgotten in the annals of time.


    The United World Government must not fall to the degradation from divide. It seems that she would have to talk with her husband about this. Dawn City was beginning to copse under the pressure, it wouldn''t be able to handle more.


    They needed time to stabilize, otherwise anarchy would soon follow.


    The borders must be closed.

 Chapter 233: | 233 | TIMESKIP: Part Twenty One - The Relocation

    As the posters regarding the relocation of the slums fell from the heavens, the local governor of the City of Dawn rified the uing strategies of the relocation. From his words, it has been concluded that the existence of the slums threatened national security.


    The existence of gangs permeating in the interiors of the slums suggest that the security of the area had beenpromised. An action must be taken quick before the gangs could consolidate their power in the slums. Otherwise, it would be difficult to remove them from the City of Dawn.


    Anyhow, the news regarding the relocation and the purge of gangs caused somemotion throughout the City of Dawn. It was a bit astounding as the government never seemed to be the type to enact such a reckless n.


    The reactions of newly-integrated beastfolks were alsoplicated. Some understood the reasoning of the World Government in handling the slums and the gangs within it. Others thought of it as a mismanagement of authority.


    But the oppositions were silenced when it was revealed that the Dragon of Liberation had proposed of the n. Regardless of their ns in democracy and freedom, power reign supreme and most weren''t ignorant of the power that the Dragon of Liberation have.


    After all, she was considered to be the strongest within the United World Government. Only the Authority could keep her on a tight leash, but from the looks of it, the Authority appears to support the purge in the slums of Dawn City.


    Anyhow, the situation was far from simple. It wasplex, and troublesome. But nevertheless, the dragoness was never the type to think of retreating against a peculiar problem. She was a dragon, the apex of nature itself. With the power to destroy a country on her own, she had weight.


    Somewhere in the slums, the Dawn Police Department had began to barricade the surrounding area. The chaos that was about to unfold must be kept within. Afterward, numerous trucks containing swat teams entered the enclosed area to manage the relocation.


    One after another, the settlers of the slums were forced to leave the confines of their homes. There was no mercy as the slight resistance would result in the armed personnel to arrest the perpetrator. After leaving their homes, they were lined up along with their memories and guided to their respective busses.


    The destinations of such busses were newly-constructed districts that still had a number of jobs and a cheap real estate. The families or individuals would be given support upon their arrival, assuring that they would be integrated into the society of the World Government.


    The process was strict as the gangs of the slums were known to be merciless in their ways. It would be too dangerous if a confrontation urred amidst the relocation process of the settlers.


    Amongst the settlers was a family of cayote beastfolk. The father of three children walked forward, with his wife holding into their kinds. The man was faced with a table, another beastfolk sitting in front of him. She was part of the immigration office, which was supposed to handle this job in their office.


    Unfortunately, the immigration officer was deployed into the frontlines to assure the process of relocation in the slums. The slums was dangerous, everyone in the City of Dawn understood such simple fact. But nheless, it was their duty as immigration officers to handle it.


    So, there was nothing she could do but ept it with a smile.


    "Please fill up the following document, Sir. I will be processing your relocation." The immigration officer smiled at the father, who merely nodded with a tinge of anxiousness. The father filled through the document, ranging from his name to his most proficient skillset.


    After filling up the document, the immigration officer epted it with the same smile as before and checked some integral information before concluding the process. The information filled up in the document wasn''t wrong. It directly corrted to the previous data regarding the individual before her.


    "Alright, this should be it. Please get inside the bus 05. Your destination will be a newly constructed district." The immigration officer nodded at the father, who gave way to his wife. A coyote woman nervously walked up, beginning the same process as her husband.


    The process went as smoothly as before, but sadly, the rm rang up from behind. Several swat personnel moved through the lined crowd, apprehending a gang member who was strapped with explosives. How they manage to acquire such resource remained a question.


    But nevertheless, the gang member was in an erratic state, threatening and cursing the authorities while holding a remote. The swat personnel surrounded him as the lined crowd became chaotic and tense at the sight of the encirclement.


    "To think they would send a suicide bomber in the relocation processing camp. Here I thought they would be busy fighting against my men purging them from every nook and cranny of this ce." A soft, seductive voice resounded, calming the tense crowd.


    As the crowd heard her voice, they turned their attention towards the direction of such soothing sound. It was then they saw a gorgeous silver-haireddy with golden slitted irises. It was as though they were gazing upon a beauty sculpted by the deities themselves.


    The beautifuldy had a silver-hair and radiant golden-irises with slitted pupils. The most prevalent of her appearance was the pair of dark horns protruding from her head along with a ck dragon tail from behind her waist. It was at this moment when they realized who she was.


    As if surrendering to their instincts, the crowd immediately kneeled as though a goddess from the heavens had descended into the lower world below their gardens. Before them was the Dragon of Liberation, a mythical figure, and most importantly, the Guardian of Dawn.


    "Let me ask you a question. Do you wish to blow yourself up or not?" Lace calmly asked, her words echoing throughout the camp. Silence perpetuated as the swat personnel surrounding the suicide bomber opened up, giving way to the dragoness.


    The suicide bomber was a lone beastfolk, a young one at that. Probably a teenager. Kids are the most easily manipted beings in reality. They believe everything in face value, making their views upon the world one-sided, not out of willing ignorance, but unknown ignorance.


    The teenager who had recently arrived in the camp as a bomber felt shivers in his spine. His instincts were screaming at him to run as the one before him was a behemoth. Even if he exploded a thousand times, it wouldn''t matter against the monster in front of him.


    But... The people in front of him must pay!


    Gritting his teeth, the lone beastfolk closed his eyelids and pressed the button on the remote. However, nothing happened. There was merely the pitch-ck. He couldn''t even open his eyes once again, forever sumbing to the ckness of eternity.


    Meanwhile, in the present, the crowd watched as the bomber turned into nothing but dust with a single flick of a finger. The beastfolk practically disintegrated into nothing, leaving not a hint of his existence behind. It was a horrifying death.


    Lace narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze towards the crowd within the camp. The edges of her lips rose as she remarked. "Please don''t mind the trouble. Continue filling up your documents for relocation. Staying here would be detrimental to your lives."


    When the crowd heard her not-so-soothing words, they quickly nodded in agreement, not even thinking of disagreeing against the dragoness before them. There was nothing they could do as in the face of power. They were but mere insects.


    Seeing that the relocation process continued without a problem, Lace turned her attention away from the trouble that was dusted into oblivious. Taking out a phone from her pocket, she called for themand center of the Special Response Division, who were in the process of purging the gangs in the slums.


    It didn''t take long before someone from the other side answered her call.


    *How may I help you, Major Lace?*


    "How is the current status of the operation?" Lace questioned, wanting to know about the current progress of the Special Response Division. Themunication operator from the other side paused for a short moment before responding to the question.


    *Apologies, Major Lace. The current status appear to be not up to satisfactory.* The reply of themunication operator made Lace raised her eyebrows as she wondered about what the operator meant. "Please expound."


    She needed to know why the progress wasn''t satisfactory.


    *The operation''s progress is slowing down significantly due to the intense resistance of the gangs. The Special Response Division has only taken down one of the many gangs residing in the slums. There''s also seems to be hesitance amongst beastfolk personnel.*


    *Cases of personnel being stabbed by a suspect has been on the risetely since the beginning of the operation. We are six-hours behind schedule.* Themunication operator calmly reported to the dragoness of the Special Response Division.


    "I see... Thank you for the overview." Lace halted the call and sighed to herself. She didn''t think that the problem would be far deeper than what she had initially thought. It was an issue that she herself never understood. Perhaps, she would have to inquire about it through her husband.


    "Abraham might know a thing or two about it." She muttered while turning her gaze towards the slums. To think that such an invasive thing could have grown so fast in mere months. It was akin to cancer that would degrade society through generations of growth.


    It must be solved, though she didn''t know a different way other than dominion.

 Chapter 234 | TIMESKIP: Part Twenty Two - The Purge

    Chapter234 | TIMESKIP: Part Twenty Two - The Purge


    Operation vus was the purging of all gang-rted elements in the slums of Dawn City. Its operatives consisted of the Special Response Division, who was personally ordered by the Dragon of Liberation to capture the hostiles residing within the slums.


    It was the first mission of the Special Response Division for the past three months. But from the looks of it, things weren''t going well for the operatives within the slums. Urban warfare was a much moreplicated problem than they had expected.


    There was also the usual hesitance as they were afraid to raise their arms against the people they considered as their own. It was a strange stance, and a foolish one. For an organization that seemed ready to fight against the Colonial Dominions of Humanity, they couldn''t even fight against their own.


    It makes them a niche, which wasn''t good for the versatile doctrine of the United Military.


    Anyhow, since the beginning of the purge, designated sectors throughout the slums were riddled with conflicts between the division and the gangs. The beastfolks were quite determined in fighting against the operatives of the World Government, willing to sacrifice themselves for their gangs.


    The situation further worsened when seemingly innocent families were nothing more but nted dangerous elements of the gangs, backstabbing operatives who were evacuating them into safety. The status of the operation was severe, and naturally, the Dragon of Liberation must step in.


    The purging operation started as nothing more but a test for the Special Response Division. Lace wanted to understand the current status of her organization, whether itsbat capabilities had degraded or not since her departure.


    From the situation at hand, it seems to be the former. The Special Response Division has degraded, their capabilities akin to the locally trained swat personnel of the DPD, or the Dawn Police Department. It was a disappointing sight, but an understandable one.


    The policies integrated by Espada into the Special Response Division was self-destructive. Lace didn''t know what had gone through the mind of the giant Minokin. She trusted him as one of the most experienced members, and to think that he would fall this far.


    The istionist policy of the Special Response Division had done great damage into the pirs of the organization. The dragoness even wondered whether or not there was a point of the continued existence of the division.


    Though, it current sat in the desk of Abraham, waiting to be approve.


    At any rate, what Lace was trying to utter, was the simple fact that Special Response Division was getting left behind. The more time had passed, the less they mattered to the United World Government. In mere months, they became a husk of their former selves.


    After all, the anti-magic capabilities of the United Military had gone far stronger than ever before. Thanks to the Research and Development Department, the technologies of the United Military had advanced into greater heights. There were even discussions regarding thergest project ever conducted by the United Military.


    Though, it current sat in the desk of Abraham, waiting to be approve.


    At any rate, what Lace was trying to utter, was the simple fact that Special Response Division was getting left behind. The more time had passed, the less they mattered to the United World Government. In mere months, they became a husk of their former selves.


    What was supposed to be the elites of the elites within the United Military had be the lukewarm version of their selves. Lace stood atop the rooftop of a small and thin building, gazing at the group of gang members gathering in a small square of the slums. They seemed to be preparing for ast stance as they armed themselves with weapons that they shouldn''t have ess to.


    It made her wonder if corruption had degraded the roots of Dawn City. It was rather fortunate that the phenomenon remained contained within the sprawling metropolis. Otherwise, the United World Government would be facing an enemy that was far greater than anything or anyone before.


    And that was themselves.


    ''I should investigate the state of Dawn City. It seems that smuggling, corruption, and many more problematic internal issues had pierced deep inside the government. It mustn''t be left alone. Its destruction should be paramount.''


    Lace quietly thought to herself before disappearing from the rooftop of the building. She quickly arrived at the bottom, appearing amidst the gathering gang members of the slums. She had always been curious about how such gangs had managed to form.


    It was also somewhat surprising for its members to be loyal to them. It signified that the control of the gangs in the slums were far greater than what she had expected. It wasn''t a natural loyalty, yet it appears as so. "My brothers and sisters! We will fight against the tyranny of the World Government! They think we are mere insects that they can trample upon with ease. But we are much more than that!" The gang leader raised his hands as his members followed.


    "These weapons we have acquired will turn the tides of this war. With this, we can control the slums, maintaining our authority over it. Not even the United World Government will be able to touch u-" The gang leader couldn''t continue as all of the members disintegrated in mere moments. They couldn''t even react as nothing more but their ashes were left behind in the small square. The gang leader felt shivers in his spine as he turned his gaze towards the culprit of the massacre. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead as he quickly call forth a spell.


    It was a much more different spell, a mind-control spell.


    "You bastard!" The gang leader yelled as he tried linking with the mind of thedy before him, trying to gain control over it. However, the link fractured before it could even reach the dragoness, as it melted into nothing more but mana.


    "Wha-" The beastfolk was obviously surprised for the spell to be ineffective. It had always worked even if his enemies were much stronger than him. Meanwhile, the edges of Lace''s lips rose as she muttered to herself. "I finally understand now."


    "The degradation of society, the uselessness of my organization, and the intense loyalty..."


    "A conspiracy, huh?"


    "Interesting."


    The dragoness was excited as she felt her blood boiling for violence and dominion.

 Chapter 235: | 235 | TIMESKIP: Part Twenty Three - Conspiracy

    A day had passed since the enactment of the operation within the slums of Dawn City. Despite numerous setbacks, under the lead of the Dragon of Liberation, the Special Response Division manage to conclude their mission, albeit barely reaching the satisfactory.


    Lace walked through the halls of the Citadel where her husband led her little daughter to spend time with after going through the entirety of the city of Dawn. Taking care of the slums and the gangs within was trying, fortunately, only Dawn City had been infected with such a disease.


    The former settlers of the slums were sessfully relocated into newly built districts, reintegrating back to the society of the United World Government. Though, the dragoness wasn''t satisfied as she was barely able to keep herself from getting disappointed.


    The spell that the gang leader had managed to conjure was aplicated one. But it was a psychic spell, in simpler terms, a mind control spell. How the gang leader managed to acquire such spells was a principial question, and most importantly, how did all of the gang leaders manage to acquire these spells.


    Lace was confident by her thoughts. A conspiracy was residing within Dawn City, and it threatened the dominion of the United World Government who seems ignorant of it. Because of this, she quickly made her way to the Citadel to meet with her husband.


    After all, the two of them needed to have a talk about the current circumstance.


    Arriving in the elevator, the dragoness calmly waited as it rose up into the apex of the Citadel. Lace lightly tap the floor with her ck heels thinking about the past regarding her former organization bing a monstrous version of itself.


    The Revolting Tide, an organization that was supposed to liberate the Frontier from the tendrils of humanity. It became despicable through time, bing something that she herself couldn''t tolerate. She should have destroyed it when she had a chance.


    But she hesitated, after all, within were decades long of memories, reminding her of where she stood in the vast world filled to the brim with peril.


    The metallic door of the elevator soon opened, revealing the house of the executive, or Abraham''s home for short. Sitting on the table was Little Tiamat, dangling her feet and gazing at the boundless lines of the endless horizon.


    Beside the little dragon was her husband, Abraham, who was currently going through some paperwork regarding a particrly big project that would advanced the military capabilities of the United Navy by leap and bounds.


    When the elevator doorpletely opened, the middle-aged man raised his eyebrows and looked forward. There, standing in the elevator, was his beautiful dragon wife, Lace. The edges of his lips rose as he remarked. "Tired of the job, My Love?"


    "Here I thought you would have an energy capacitysting several months at minimum." Lace being exhausted was rare, so Abraham didn''t hesitate to state his opinion about it. However, Lace''s calm expression made him furrow his eyebrows.


    "Is there something wrong, Lace? Did something happen in the operation?" Abraham questioned, wanting to know about what might have happened to bring such an expression to his lovely wife.


    Lace walked forward, leaning onto the desk and not forgetting to pinch the cheeks of her little lizard. She turned her gaze towards her husband and muttered. "Dawn City is falling apart, My Love." Her words resounded, confusing the middle-aged man.


    "Falling apart? I don''t see any wrong with the metropolis. To be honest, it seems to be greater than ever before with itsrge economy." Abraham couldn''t understand her words, speaking about what he thought about the city of Dawn. There was nothing wrong about it as it was working as intended.


    "It is getting richer, and much more powerful amongst the states of the United World Government. However, its insides and roots are beginning to rot. The metropolis is degrading, turning into a mush of what it once was."


    "I was confused about how it happened. It has been mere months yet the city had changed. It might look grander, but to me, it felt sad. It wasn''t the metropolis that I have given my oath to protect. It was something else."


    "Anyhow, I now understand why the city had transformed into something else. It confirmed many of my confusions and suspicion regarding the current state of the metropolis." Lace continued, her calm-spoken words echoing throughout his office.


    Instead of questioning her thoughts, Abraham decided to scrap that idea and wanted to ask how she had managed to arrive in that conclusion. After all, he might be able to receive some of her views regarding the current state of the city.


    "How did you conclude that thought process, Lace?"


    "Well, this view of mind had been around since my return. The current state of the Special Response Division, and the fact that Espada had be a fool was something my mind couldn''tprehend. My subordinates were idiots."


    "But they weren''t foolish people. They understood what must be done, yet they have be but a husk of their former selves. I can''t even look at them without the urge to express my disappointment." Lace shook her head as her golden irises glowed.


    "The final nail in the coffin was during the operation to which I face one of the gang leaders within the slums. After disposing of his men, he conjured a psyche-spell and directed it at me. It was this that made me confident."


    "Confident of what?" Abraham asked as a serious expression covered his face. He had finally realized that the country that he had thrown to be independent without much of his interference was undergoing a significant change. And it was a dangerous one.


    "A conspiracy, My Love. The City of Dawn has be tainted with a conspiracy. A psyche-spell is a mind control spell with the ability to affect the minds of those cursed by it. It doesn''t even have to be total control, you could make your opponent a coward, a maniac, or a bastard."


    "You could simply watch from the back as they destroy themselves from the inside. It is a terrifying spell, not even humanity dared to dwell in such branch of magicraft. It was too dangerous, especially for the Magus Tower who valued its authority above all else."


    "The fact that it had made itsndfall into the City of Dawn means that they have set their sights towards our country, My Love." Lace''s golden irises glimmered as her emotions were bing intense by the moment.


    "Who are they, Lace? And mind control?..." Abraham understood what mind control meant and the danger it represented. It was at this moment that he had realized something crucial. When was thest time had he seen the loyalty of his men towards him?


    ording to Systema, their loyalty was absolute. It was impossible for a mind control spell to make them betray him. However, ording to his wife, it doesn''t even need to be total dominion over the mind. Controlling their emotions, and a tinge of their thoughts were enough.


    An answered of Abraham''s question followed, and it didn''te from Lace''s supple lips.


    "They are the Revolting Tide, Father. The former organization that was created by Mother. The one that resides in the Frontier, the overlord of beastfolks." Tiamat''s soft voice resounded in the office as Lace merely gaze at her before nodding in agreement.


    Tiamat had both the memories of Lace and Abrahambined within her mind like a library of memories. It was through these libraries that she remained knowledgeable about her surroundings despite not being a month old.


    "The Revolting Tide, huh? I see... They must have prated through the immigrants of the Frontier that the City of Dawn took in. I didn''t think we would invite a monster in our country." Abraham had a wry smile on his face, realizing that peace wasn''t theck of conflict, but the preparation for the next one instead.


    ''Systema, is there any way for you to get the statistics about the current status of the United World Government?'' The middle-aged man questioned inside his mind. A mechanical bell then rang followed by a monotone voice.


    | 9.56% of the poption has been infected by some mind-afflicted phenomenon. |


    It was immediate as Systema gave the numbers regarding the current psyche of the popce. The 9.56 percentage must havee from the City of Dawn as it was amongst thergest poption centers in the United World Government.


    Nevertheless, he didn''t think that it would be so high.


    "Is there any way to solve this problem?" Abraham questioned as it was a troublesome issue that must be solved as fast as possible. Lace narrowed her eyes and thought about it. Psyche-rted spells were problematic, not because of their dominion over the mind but instead how they could affect it by itself.


    "The knowledge of psyche-spells are dangerous as it was easy for them to spread and for others to learn. It was practically forbidden knowledge that its mere presence would destroy a country and make it copse into itself. The moment mortals gain power, it makes them uncontroble."


    "It would also be difficult for them to forget such power. When I first discovered its existence. A vige had already fallen into the deepest abyss. I burned it all into the ground leaving nothing behind as to save the remaining viges of that ind." Lace''s words implied one thing.


    Luckily, Tiamat was there to continue.


    "But there is one way to solve it, Father. You must capture the one that brought the spell into the city and make them dispel it. The reason why Mother had to burn the vige was because the one that brought it into the settlement was already dead when she arrived."


    "It meant that once the original caster was dead, there would be no saving them." Tiamat expounded, earning the proud smile of Lace.

 Chapter 236: | 236 | The Revolting Tide

    Since the tendrils of humanity encroached upon the Ferus Sea, those that remained unconquered became the frontier of mankind. The Frontier was a vast part of the Ferus Sea consisting of various species, most of which were ancient beastfolk kingdoms who stood the test of time.


    However, with the intrusion of humanity into the sea of beastfolks, an organization that stood for liberation was born. It was none other than the Revolting Tide, and abined group of liberators who made the decision to stand against the authority of humanity.


    The one that stood above this organization of liberation was the sole dragon that existed in the Ferus Sea. Lace, the Dragon of Destruction. It was through her power that the borders of the Frontier remained clear as ever.


    No human fleet ever made it out of the Frontier as the Dragon of Destruction guarded its borders.


    Slightly below the Dragon of Destruction were the three beast deities who remained integral figures of the Revolting Tide. These deities were the Albuma, the Tigris of Authority, Velvet, the Vermillion of Opportunity, and Solstice, the Tortoise of Protection.


    Along with the Dragon of Destruction, Lace, these three were the gods of the Ferus Sea, worshiped by all beastfolks that desired for their protection. And until the present, they remained as the gods of the Frontier.


    Though the Dragon of Destruction fell into madness, forcing the three gods to cast her out from the organization, bing the sole deities of the Revolting Tide. However, it all changed when the United World Government was created.


    The creation of a new country in the middle of humanity''s colonial dominions was an astounding news. The country also consisted of beastfolk and humans alike, living together in harmony. To those within the Frontier, it was as though the heavens had fallen into the earth.


    Such a ce couldn''t have existed. It sounded more like the heavens of those deities were food, shelter, and safety weren''t scarce. Despite the doubts of beastfolks and humans throughout the Ferus Sea, some still decided to find the country.


    After all, while most wouldn''t dare to risk their lives for some fruitless endeavor. There were few who were willing to sail through the treacherous waves and reach the so-called paradise.


    These few numbered in thousands.


    Even though the Frontier remained outside of humanity''s dominion, the lives of the ordinary beastfolk within weren''t that much different from the beastfolks'' under humanity''s control. They still needed to ve away their bodies for owners.


    Although the practice was rare before the Dragon of Destruction fell into madness, since her disappearance in the apex of the Revolting Tide, very had be frequent. It made many wonder what the Revolting Tide was supposed to stand for.


    Did it really stand for liberation? Why were they still ve? Where was their freedom? Such questions resulted in the death of many, as such those who remained didn''t dare to question thews of their society.


    It had be a fact, aw of the world. It was as natural as the heat of mes, the hardness of stone, and freshness of water. It was their destiny until the very end of their lives.


    The paradise within the dominions of humanity gave them a tinge of hope. Even if it was nothing more but rumors, they wanted to reach a ce better than the Revolting Tide or the Colonial Dominions of Humanity. As long as it was a tinge better, they would call it paradise.


    The deities of the Revolting Tide didn''t care much about the United World Government. They didn''t think of it as much since it didn''t threaten their rule over the Frontier. But when the news about the Dragon of Liberation came to be. They were reminded of the Dragon of Destruction.


    Although the Dragon of Liberation seemed much more stronger than the former colleague, they still needed to confirm what or who it really was. As such, along the refugees that wished to reach paradise, they sent one of their treasured followers.


    A priestess skilled in the art of psychic magicraft, a forbidden study of magic. The quests given to her by the three deities were to find out the identity of the Dragon of Liberation, sow discord within the new country, and destroy it if possible.


    It was fairly clear, and the priestess was confident in destroying the new country with remarkable ease. But it all changed when she arrived in the United World Government, specifically the City of Dawn. It was a ce where all kinds of beastfolks along with humans dwelled.


    It was the perfect city, the best ce for her magicraft.


    The priestess targeted the beastfolks that reached the city with her. They were easy to entice as her psyche spells were easy to learn and were pretty powerful against those without power. After getting inside the city, she managed to meet the temporary director of the Special Response Division.


    The supposed organization that would take care of anything rted to magicraft. As long as she could take a tinge of control over the organization, she would be free to wreak havoc in the city. It would be hers for the taking and there would be nothing that could stop her.


    Or so she thought, oh, how she was wrong.


    ...


    After discovering the conspiracy unfolding within the City of Dawn, Abraham had temporarily given Lace his entire authority over the country. While the circumstance was precarious, the duration of the Naval Task was almost reaching its end.


    He didn''t think that it would require his full intervention. Though, to assure that Lace doesn''t go wild with his authority. He decided to have his daughter who seemed to be more sound than the two of them to take care of her mother.


    For a 1-month child, she was a genius. That was all he could say.


    "It looks like Lace is nning to utilize the United Navy and United Airforce to blockade the entirety of the City of Dawn. This would ensure that no more of the psyche spells would be scattered to nearby cities in the region."


    Abraham muttered to himself and continued. "It doesn''t sound bad, but it would incite the most panic. No one wants to get trapped by mind-controlled people. Though, I guess from the poption statistics, most of them had already been affected by the spell one way or the other."


    "For the situation not to worsen, Lace only has a couple of hours to find the culprit of the conspiracy and take them under our custody. And it should be easy to capture the bastard. After all, tracking down refugees who have be wealthier in a short timeframe is simple to do."


    "The problem with anything rted to mind control is the fact that it corrupts. It makes one''s arrogance higher, thinking that there would be nothing and no one that could stop them. After all, who could? The operation in the slums might alert them, but its already toote."


    "I can''t wait to meet whoever this bastard is." The edges of his lips rose as he coldly smiled while gazing at the city below the Citadel. Instation 0 had berger than ever before, transforming into a city of its own. It was practically the capital of the United World Government.


    Though, the hidden capital.


    The United World Government officially resides in the City of Dawn, making it the formal capital of the country. While he hadn''t been active in the politics of his country, he had been suggesting some ideas in the corner.


    He wasn''t directly ordering his subordinates, so it still remained in the confines of the Naval Task. Amongst such ideas was ensuring that magicraft had no power within the Citadel and it surroundings. And they were almost there, along with the most biggest project of the United Navy.


    "The future is intriguing... I can''t wait."


    Meanwhile, within the City of Dawn, martialw has been dered as everything had been temporarily suspended. Within the Office of the United World Government, the House of Oriens, the Prime Minister found herself confused by the deployment of all military organizations in the country.


    Even her subordinates were unable to figure out the unexpected martialw and deployment. The only one with such power was the Authority, yet she remained ignorant of why it was dered towards the City of Dawn.


    Mercedes walked through the halls of the Oriens and soon arrived at the office of the Prime Minister. She saw Charlotte who was going through several calls from concern higher personnel throughout the City of Dawn.


    "Charlotte, was this your doing?" The Director of the As Corporation questioned the Prime Minister, who merely furrowed her gaze and replied. "Does it look to you that I''m the culprit of all of this?"


    "The United Navy and United Airforce just got deployed. They are blockading the ind and making sure that none could go in or out of the city." Charlotte continued while rubbing her eyebrows. It has been a while since she felt so powerless.


    "Do you think its Abraham?" Mercedes asked the Prime Minister as he was the only one with the authority to override everything and everyone within the country. Charlotte narrowed her gaze at the Director and responded. "He''s the only one I can think of right now."


    "Hey, don''t look at me like that. The Cerberus also got deployed without my directive. My own and personal organization turned up out of nowhere without giving me a warning or two." Mercedes wryly smiled as Charlotte wasn''t the only one feeling powerless.


    "There''s no need to feed bad, Aunties." Out of nowhere, a soft voice resounded. It came from a little girl with jet-ck hair and sapphire-like irises.


    It was Tiamat, the little lizard.

 Chapter 237: | 237 | Containment

    Standing in the bow of the capital battleship, UNS Trinity of Sce, Lace gazed upon the City of Dawn, to which was blockaded by the Fleet of Aegis. The blockade of both sea entry and airspace assured that nearby cities wouldn''t be affected by the psychic phenomenon in Dawn.


    Otherwise, it would have been troublesome if other cities were also affected by the psyche-magicraft.


    The United Military would have to partake in extreme measures by then, undertaking strategies that would be scrutinize in the future toe. They were fortunate that whatever scattered the psyche spells hadn''t thought of extending their tendrils into nearby cities.


    At any rate, with the authority bestowed by her husband, Lace didn''t hesitate to deploy United Military as hesitance would be nothing more but foolishness. It was to ensure that the problem doesn''t be worser than it currently was.


    "The first part of the containment should be under process. The United Military would start the magic detoxification of the poption by setting up camps throughout the City of Dawn."


    "I''m lucky that the Research and Development Department were quick to produce an anti-psyche spell with the help of their strange machines." Lace sighed to herself as anything psychic-rted was tooplicated for her. The only solution she could find was having the first caster disband it.


    But even if the spell was disbanded, there would still be traces of its mana stuck in the bodies of those affected by it. So, it wasn''t an assured solution to the problem. The United Military was smart, and nned a strategy against it. Through them, a cure became the priority.


    And now, the containment would begin to scatter the cure throughout the poption of the City of Dawn.


    Before the dragoness could continue with her thoughts, the phone within her pocket rang. Taking it out, a voice escaped the phone,ing from one of themunication operators of the Forward Operating Base within Dawn City.


    *Major Lace, the first phase of the containment procedure is nearing itspletion. The poption of the city has been marginalized and the military has gotten control of everything. It shouldn''t take long before the anti-spell gets administered to the popce.*


    "That''s good... How about the reactions of the United World Government? Are they opposing the martialw?" Lace questioned, understanding that her extreme maneuver left no chances for the World Government to understand.


    *There are some resistance in politicians here and there, but the United Military has sessfully assured your control over the city. No one and nothing should be opposed to the martialw. If there was, it should be the culprit.* The words of themunication operator echoed.


    "I see... Thank you for your hard work. I''ll begin the second phase of the containment." Lace responded with a smile before cutting off the call. Afterward, she decided to call for the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. It was time for the deployment of special operatives.


    The phone rang for a short moment, though someone from the other side quickly picked it up.


    *What are your orders, Major Lace?*


    "Begin the phase two of the containment, send in the hounds." Lace ordered for the enactment of the second phase. It was the phase that would assure that the trouble doesn''t start anywhere in the United World Government ever again. They would be capturing the culprit.


    *Affirmative, starting the phase two of the containment procedure. The Cerberus will be deployed in the specified coordinates of the target, Major Lace.* Themunication operator from the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas immediately replied and ryed the orders to themanding officer of the warship.


    "Thank you," Lace uttered as the breeze of wind passed through her body swaying her silver hair left and right. It was calming despite having arge amount of arsenal surrounding a metropolis of over hundreds of thousands.


    Themunication between the two soon got cut off and silence perpetuated the bow of the capital battleship. Now that she thought about it, Tiamat should be with her. Though, the little lizard seemed to have disappeared.


    "My little lizard has already be a rebel." Lace muttered, not epting the fact that her daughter was growing up fast. It has been merely months and the little one was already rising up against her. As expected of kids, they always want to be independent.


    ''Wait, was I a rebel?'' The dragoness thought, questioning the memories from her childhood. She didn''t start as the liberating Dragon of Destruction. There were times where she would steal some livestock from nearby viges or burn fortresses down for the heck of it.


    ''I guess she got it from me.'' Lace lightly snickered to herself, seeing a little version of herself as Tiamat. Though, the little lizard was milder than young Lace. The dragoness from before was more of a bastard than anyone else.


    ...


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the skies of the City of Dawn, an Osprey was soaring through the clear azure expanse with a path in mind. Inside the transport aircraft was a Cerberus toon, the private military of the As Corporation.


    The Cerberus was an elite private military force of the As Corporation. It was a ssified one, not meant to be known by others outside of the corporation and the highest of the World Government. It wasprised of the best of the best from all organizations within the United Military.


    Whether it''d be from the United Marines, United Army, Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Rangers, and the Special Response Division. These personnel had their identities bolted into the archives of confidentiality, forever forgotten by society.


    In simpler terms, they were amongst the best weapons of the United World Government and the As Corporation. The warriors that would strike everything in their path under the authority of the UWG. The only one that could deploy them was the Director, and the Authority.


    The toon leader of the Cerberus soon got up from his seat. He gazed at his colleagues andrades before briefing them of their mission. It was ssified, so most didn''t know the entirety of the mission at hand. They merely had tinge of intelligence from their handlers.


    "Alright, the top has given us a mission to take down a bastard that tried to mind control Dawn City. The metropolis is currently under containment procedure to cure the poption, but the culprit is still out in the open, free from the consequences of their actions."


    "Luckily, the intelligence division already got a target painted for us. So, we don''t have to worry finding them out ourselves. The culprit and the target for this mission is this woman. A beastfolk, and a refugee that madendfall a couple of months ago."


    "The intelligence division have been investigation this woman for quite a while. Despite being a refugee from the Frontier, she rose fast in the elite circles of Dawn City. She''s part of the fox family within the beastfolk species, and she appears to be a beauty for the beastfolk poption."


    "At any rate, she has be popr not only because of her quick rise to wealth, but also herpassionate acts of donating money into supporting the beastfolks who had recently arrived in Dawn City. In simpler terms, she got them on her side."


    "Her name is Viagra, and she''s always surrounded by a security personnel 24/7. They always surround her, and most of them seemed to be from the Special Response Division." The revtion of the Special Response Division brought grunts to his colleagues.


    "Anyhow, the mission is to capture the target and exfil from the location without anyone noticing. We have to be fast in our operation as the moment we get discovered, problems would flood us like a tsunami." The toon leader of Cerberus merely smiled at the reactions of his subordinates.


    "Am I understood?" He questioned hisrades as they nodded at the same time. "Affirmative, Sir." Their words resounded in the metallic interiors of the transport aircraft.


    "Alright, why don''t we begin the operation?" The toon leader smirked as the pilots quickly opened the ramps of the Osprey. The red lights emanating in the background turned green, announcing that it was time for them to take a dive.


    "I already said this before, we have to be quick. Don''t waste any more time and take down any hostile you might encounter." He gave his final remarks as the Cerberus operatives dived out of the Osprey, falling into the azure heavens that expanded beyond the horizon.


    ...


    On the other hand, back to the Prime Minister''s office, Charlotte and Mercedes were dumbfounded by Tiamat''s emergence. The little lizard was really the daughter of Lace. The way she appears out of nowhere was akin to that of her mother''s antics.


    "What do you mean about feeling bad?" Mercedes furrowed her eyebrows as she didn''t feel bad about being left in the dark by her own subordinates. She just felt a bit betrayed, that was all there was.


    Though, Charlotte had apletely different reaction. It seems that her priority was something else.


    "Wait, what? How am I an auntie? I''m not that old." Charlotte couldn''t believe the words that escaped the little lizard. She considered herself as a young fertiledy who hadn''t reached the age to be called an Auntie. When did she be a middle-aged woman?


    Tiamat and Mercedes turned their gaze towards the Prime Minister as they couldn''t understand her reaction against age. Noticing their eyes pointing at her, Charlotte lightly coughed and changed the subject like a naturally born liar.


    "So, it was Lace that enacted the martialw, huh? I hope that we''d receive some exnation about this."


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