The Birth of the Federation
I stood up from the gathering of sheep, looking down at the campfire that was warming the cool night air. Now that my body was stretched and ready, shall we get moving again? For the time being, this fire would keep a massive amount of the Empire's manpower tied down here. If left alone, the entire area would burn to ash. Unless the Empire completely abandoned this region, they had no choice but to deploy troops. And the manpower gathered here would naturally loosen the tightening dragnet around us. The traces we left behind would be washed away just as naturally.
I had agonized over our next destination. By now, the Empire had likely figured out our patterns. The places we had struck so far were industrial zones and granaries—regions where the Empire's core strategic resources were concentrated. Therefore, from the Empire's perspective, predicting our next target wouldn't be difficult. They simply had to guard their key industrial and agricultural hubs.
"Prophet. We've intercepted reports that reinforcements have completed their deployment to both the Trafalgar and Kenashi regions," Blue and Justice informed me, having intercepted the enemy's communications. The Empire's front lines had been reorganized far more quickly and efficiently than I had anticipated, judging by the troop buildup in the very areas I had been targeting.
With our current military strength, we could probably strike about two more locations if we were willing to accept some casualties. Even an empire didn't possess infinite troops, and since they couldn't defend everywhere, gaps were bound to appear. However, my plans changed entirely thanks to Pax's brilliant performance. She had opened up a path to a place we wouldn't have dared dream of targeting under normal circumstances: the Jaran Transportation Hub.
The roads, magic teleportation pathways, and railways of the entire Empire intersected at this single hub. Troop movements, supply lines, communications, and rear support—every logistical flow converged here. Naturally, it was heavily garrisoned at all times. It was a place a mere ten thousand men could never hope to breach. It boasted the latest magitech weaponry, countless knights, ironclad walls, and defensive barriers. And rigorous security checks. A frontal assault was utterly out of the question. I looked at Pax. "Can you do it?"
The goal of this operation wasn't destruction, but chaos. If we could throw this place into utter disarray, even the most formidable military system and supply network would be paralyzed in an instant. The entire Empire would become like a body that had lost its nervous system. Unable to move, unable to help one another, they would be nothing more than a dead organism, no matter how massive their army. Her ability was the absolute lynchpin of this operation.
Pax flashed her trademark, confident smile. "Leave it to me, Prophet." She nodded and quietly slipped into the hub, accompanied by a few acolyte priests.
From a distance, I watched Pax strike up a conversation with the guards. The imperial soldiers, who had been stiff and cold just moments ago, underwent an instant transformation the second Pax pulled back her hood. Rich, golden hair fit for a high noblewoman cascaded down, revealing her voluptuous silhouette beneath. Her finely tailored, low-cut attire naturally drew their eyes. Before they could even gather their wits, a mesmerizing, honeyed voice flowed from her lips. The guards' vigilance melted away in an instant.
A moment later, she emerged from an adjacent building holding a transit pass. She tossed a subtle wink in my direction before breezing right through the inner gates of Jaran. Is this what it feels like to hire an experienced rookie? I shook the idle thoughts from my head. Well then, it was time for me to do my part.
We didn't need a large force for this operation. Only Pax and the ten subordinates accompanying her had slipped inside. Thanks to that, our main force remained completely intact. We had already agreed on a rendezvous point beforehand. Since we couldn't just let our men sit idle... "Let's move." This would be our final raid. Just one more industrial zone. The Empire was rich enough to afford it, after all.
Pax was in a good mood. To be precise, an exceptionally good mood. The Prophet had recognized her abilities and entrusted her with this solo mission; the idiotic guards had handed over the transit passes with glazed eyes the moment she lowered her hood; and no one suspected a thing as her priests casually strolled in and out with smiles on their faces. Every single bit of it was perfect.
"You all remember the rendezvous point for later, right?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Don't make a single mistake. If anyone messes up, I won't let you off easily. Got it? Just don't get caught, handle it smoothly, and act like the professionals you are."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The work proceeded smoothly. Pax pulled a time bomb from her magic bag and carefully slid it near a ventilation shaft behind the subway platform wall. Avoiding the gaze of the public, this was already the third bomb she had planted. Click. Just as she was about to pull another one from her bag, her fingers slipped. A small device fell to the floor, letting out a sharp, distinct metallic clang. Clang—clack. Tap. A sudden silence fell over the quiet platform.
“Hey, what did you just do?” Footsteps approached from behind. Pax immediately bent down, scooping the bomb back into her bag as she spoke. “Oh, my apologies! It's just a personal magic hand warmer.” An imperial soldier, his face full of suspicion, had already closed the distance to within a few paces. “A magic hand warmer?” “It's just been so chilly around here lately, hasn't it? Because of the cooling magic devices... my hands were freezing...”
The soldier's eyes narrowed. Just before he could press further, a voice laced with amusement chimed in from across the platform. “A hand warmer is indeed the best remedy for a cold day. Especially for a lady as delicate as yourself.” A man stepped between her and the soldier, wearing a greasy smile. He wore a red coat adorned with silver trim, his appearance as overly dramatic as his tone. Pax didn't know who he was, but she had experienced this kind of unsolicited goodwill enough times to recognize it instantly. A sucker.
Pax let a pure, innocent smile grace her lips as she shyly bowed her head. “Thank you... I was just so startled.” The man turned to the soldier and said, “I have verified it. It is merely a civilian's personal item.” “But—” “That is an order.” At that firm command, the soldier bowed his head and retreated. He holds a higher rank than I thought. Not just some ordinary noble brat.
"Are you unhurt, my lady?" The man took a step closer, puffing out his chest. Naturally, her eyes drifted to his chest. A red coat, an eagle crest. The Imperial Red Hawk Knights. Seeing her gaze linger on the insignia, he flashed a triumphant grin. “Are you... perhaps interested in our Red Hawk Knights?”
Normally, she would have feigned a quiet gasp of admiration and slipped away, but she changed her mind. “…So you are a hero of the Red Hawk Knights.” His smile widened even further. “Are you interested?” “Yes. Truly... it is an order I have long admired from afar.” “Is that so? Bwahaha! You certainly have an eye for greatness.” After a brief moment of deliberation, he looked at her and spoke, offering without her even having to ask. “The interior is strictly off-limits to outsiders... but if you are with me, I can arrange a brief tour. Today, I, Jack Serpence, shall personally guide such a beautiful lady.”
Pax beamed radiantly and bowed her head. “It would be an honor,” she said, while inwardly muttering, What an absolute dumbass.
A short while later— BOOM! CRASH! A series of explosions erupted in rapid succession. Pillars of black smoke billowed from various points across the hub. Surely, even Pax couldn't have touched the actual 'core' of this place. It wasn't a place that could be breached so easily... "Prophet!" Pax cried out, throwing herself into my arms. “I blew up one of them right inside the Knights' headquarters!” “…What?” How? No, more importantly, was that even possible? The Red Hawk Knights' headquarters should have had ironclad security checks. But... somehow, I was too afraid to ask. Before I could open my mouth, her eyes spoke for her. They sparkled with intense anticipation, her face practically screaming, Ask me how! "Are you curious?" "No."
We had shaken them up thoroughly enough. Now, they wouldn't be able to transport supplies like they used to. Having suffered an internal strike, security checks would be tightened, which would inevitably trigger a domino effect of delays, confusion, and misunderstandings. Without a shred of lingering regret, I pulled our forces out of the Karis Empire.
People often harbor a certain misunderstanding about me. They think I rose up to champion the weak. But this fight was never about justice. I am not foolish enough to swing a sword at a giant simply because I 'dislike' the Empire. I attacked the Empire for one reason, and one reason only: because it benefited Elium.
The war between Tarand and Karis. A conflict that should have ended in a swift, overwhelming victory for Karis within a year. I had no intention of letting it fizzle out so easily. The moment one side claimed total victory, the smaller kingdoms would be swallowed up one by one by the triumphant empire. There was no telling when a heavyweight match like this would ever occur again. Until then, we had to tread so lightly we barely dared to breathe. From what I recalled, the Empire only began clashing in earnest once there were virtually no other neighboring kingdoms left to devour. First, we needed to level the playing field. War is a black hole that halts the economy and swallows the national power of even the grandest empire whole.
My goal was simple: to keep the balance of this war from tipping. In other words, to drag out the conflict between Tarand and Karis as long as possible, ensuring neither side could easily concede defeat. This surprise raid had achieved exactly that. Karis wouldn't be able to seize the upper hand for a while, and Tarand would gain precious time to recover and reorganize. Of course, the immense wrath of the Karis Empire would now be directed squarely at Elium—the culprit behind this entire disruption. They had to be absolutely furious. But—
“So, what are you going to do about it?” As I've mentioned before, Elium is not an isolated island. It is surrounded by five kingdoms: Zenith, Franz, Ilium, Cross, and Orion. To strike Elium, the Empire would have to march its armies through the territories of these five kingdoms. In the past, they might have hesitated in the face of the Empire's wrath, their disparate interests keeping them divided.
But now, Elium and the five kingdoms shared unprecedented profits through the Holy Water trade. An unparalleled era of prosperity, bound by a web of mutual interest. And it was blindingly obvious whom they had to 'cherish' to protect that prosperity. In this situation, no matter how much Karis pleaded, not a single kingdom would grant them passage. ...Well, unless the Empire could offer them even greater benefits. But was that even possible?
On top of that, the guy everyone thought was a terrifying older brother was currently whining in pain after getting beaten up by his younger sibling. Would anyone still find him scary? A total pushover who just had his logistics hub, granaries, and industrial facilities ransacked by his little brother? Not long after I arrived back in my office, urgent footsteps echoed outside, followed by a frantic knock on the door. "Enter." The door burst open, and a messenger gasped for breath as he cried out, “Prophet! The Karis Empire has declared war on Elium!”
I took a sip of my tea, offering a calm smile to the panicked messenger. Immediately after, a succession of footsteps rushed through the open door. “The Orion Kingdom has expressed deep regret over Karis's actions!” “The Franz Kingdom has condemned the Empire and declared diplomatic pressure!” “The Ilium Kingdom has stated that this declaration is a clear violation of the laws of war!” “The Cross Kingdom has proposed a royal coalition treaty!”
We were no longer alone. A single strand is easily broken, but when five are woven together, even the mighty Karis Empire would find the burden too heavy to bear. Then, the final report rang out. "The Zenith Kingdom has dispatched an envoy to Elium!" Even Zenith, a vassal state of the Karis Empire, had chosen to practically betray its master. This wasn't mere diplomacy; it was a declaration of changing sides. Now, the grand picture I had been painting was nearing completion.
"The Holy Federation Empire." A massive system where the five kingdoms moved as one, centered around Elium. The birth of the Holy Federation Empire was at hand. Who would stand at the center of this alliance? It had to be fair. It had to be done in a way that no one could dispute. The right to be king is not determined by steel and blood alone. Political justification and symbolic consent—both had to be satisfied simultaneously. And as it happened, there was a symbol in the capital of Elium that perfectly met all those conditions. A method that was flawless both politically and symbolically. “Naturally, the one who draws the sword must be the king, shouldn't they?”