Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Playing Both Sides
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Having resolved to fight for what I wanted, I didn't immediately start a war.
Of course not. Sure, I—meaning me—would naturally agree with my own opinion and join the war, but Lushaka Kingdom was no longer just a space for me alone to live in.
It was a place where countless races from across the galaxy coexisted, each with their own ideas and ways of life.
In truth, I'd be the one doing the actual fighting, deploying combat-specialized assets like Treegalaon and others, but war never plays out fairly, does it?
It was obvious that planets affiliated with PATO would be affected, so how could I just unilaterally ignite a conflict?
Instead, I could simply hobble them through means other than outright war.
A war between the Holy Nation and the Empire was inevitable in the near future anyway.
Just a few hours ago, Count Maximilian of the Empire's border marches had crossed the frontier with his personal fleet and unleashed provocative warning shots.
The fuse was already lit.
In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say the war had already broken out.
It was merely a matter of when the formal declaration of war would be issued.
The official PATO stance, decided at the recent conference, was one of non-intervention.
This didn't mean PATO would stay completely neutral in the Holy Nation-Empire dispute.
If that were the case, they would have used the term "neutrality."
What it really meant was that member states could judge and act on their own, but they shouldn't come crying to PATO after stirring up trouble.
So, my goal in this war was to weaken both factions.
I had plenty of money, and they could spill their blood and coolant in my stead. No need to waste my own biomass.
I'd just keep pouring in coins while they fought until they were both battered and their nations left wheezing and feeble.
One side's total annihilation wouldn't do. The survivor would end up too strong.
Fortunately, neither faction harbored any grudges or regrets toward PATO.
Their relationship was just right for friendship—perfect for absorbing them into PATO after shattering them into dozens of pieces.
On the other hand, they had plenty of grudges and regrets toward each other.
They'd probably keep snarling until one side was wiped out.
They might band together if a common enemy appeared, but where would such a force come from?
The galaxy was mostly charted. What, from another galaxy or some other dimension? Ridiculous.
Or if an overwhelmingly powerful faction demanded they stop fighting as friends, even they might bow their heads.
In any case, indirectly intervening in the war between these two nations to cripple their main forces and shrink their influence—ideally incorporating them into PATO for easy manipulation—seemed ideal.
To pull off the scheme smoothly, I first needed forces that could infiltrate both sides and intervene.
The degree of intervention possible from an observer's position versus a participant's was worlds apart.
Participating under the Lushaka Kingdom's banner, however, risked being seen as PATO's official will.
Lushaka held a certain status within PATO, after all.
So, I decided against using the kingdom's name.
It wasn't about openly backing one side—playing both like a bat wasn't ideal either, was it?
The two biggest factors that could sway a war's outcome were surely finances and military power.
Supplying both nations with funds and arms, then steering the war's direction based on that, seemed the most practical approach.
And I'd need to prepare "me"—the one tasked with this crucial role.
Suddenly, patriotic fervor surged in Korallak, a moderately successful merchant residing in the Holy Nation, and Berirak, a wealthy trader actively engaging in commerce across the Empire.
If the nation they currently resided in got embroiled in war, both felt an urge to pour in massive sums, even if it meant emptying their coffers.
And purely by coincidence? They both rapidly amassed fortunes—through tales of wiping out treasure-hoarding pirates or business suddenly booming, among various reasons.
Moreover, purely by coincidence? Feeling frequent threats to their safety lately, they began hiring mercenaries to bolster their available military strength.
Treating the mercenaries like family, they invested their wealth lavishly to upgrade armaments, reinforce ships, and prepare thoroughly for any contingency.
And finally, the Holy Nation declared war on the Empire.
The declaration was broadcast via psionic waves and sonic language in the Oztlan Star System, under the watchful gaze of their great god Oztlan, with ambassadors from both nations gathered.
"The atrocities of these alien scum who call themselves the Steel Empire know no bounds. Thus, the Holy Nation shall gladly draw the sword to protect the rights and interests of those with souls. As the executor of Oztlan's will, I declare judgment upon the enemy for the sake of galactic peace. From this moment, the Holy Nation considers itself in a state of war with the Steel Empire."
The Prophet himself made the proclamation.
He'd been nowhere to be found despite calls—no response, no appearance—and now here he was.
"Ah, the Queen. It's been a while."
Linking my mind to the communication Hirak, the Prophet responded.
"It was a fine opportunity to hear Lord Oztlan's voice. I had no choice but to be away for so long."
Some kind of Prophet-exclusive regular worship?
Never mind that—what the hell has the Holy Nation been up to while you were gone?
"Do you know the current situation in the Holy Nation?"
"Of course. A Prophet must know everything about the faithful. I can hear your thoughts, Queen. You're wondering why we stood by while the Sirtishi were massacred."
The Prophet shook his head sadly and continued.
"The Sirtishi's innate fleshly weakness? If they had accepted Lord Oztlan, that power... It would have been a simple matter resolved by psionics. The Talatulan race lives long by nature, but lesser races don't serve Oztlan for nothing.
Trivial physical frailties can be overcome by the power of the mind. But they neglected mental discipline and indulged in greed, coveting stars that weren't theirs."
The sorrow in his thoughts faded, and the Prophet began to express anger.
"Yet even such fools are embraced by Oztlan's will, so I sought to embrace them. But these aliens exploited the faithful's fragile patience and ultimately butchered every last soul!
What horror is this! I, the Prophet—father and executor of the faithful, conqueror, and sovereign of the Holy Nation—shall never tolerate the Empire's actions."
"Couldn't their minds have been transferred to machines?"
"Hmph. They're already dead. A person's value lies in their mind. How can something without a mind be called human?
Besides, those were Empire-modified cyborgs that invaded the border. How can we guarantee none became Empire spies? If those ten billion spread across the Holy Nation, mimicking memories as the Empire's vanguard—what then? If that leads to the blood and wreckage of our citizens, who takes responsibility?"
"Still, wasn't it a hasty judgment? You could have quarantined the planet."
"Enough. My friend, the only one in this vast galaxy to reach the pinnacle of the mind—you won't convince me. The Tla'Kalan battle priest's actions were radical, but I believe they were right."
Flutter—
The Prophet turned, his cloak billowing, and showed his back.
"Further talk would just run parallel. If you disapprove of the Holy Nation's path, awaken your fleet and raise your armies. Of course, you'll be staking your life and those of your followers."
With that, the Prophet departed for the battlefield.
So, that was the Holy Nation's stance.
They could never compromise with the Empire.
As he said, unless a psionic-awakened machine was born, changing their minds was impossible.
In any event, with full-scale war underway, my two prepped agents began to move.
Korallak, my Holy Nation operative, informed the military of his desire to lead his mercenary group into the war out of faith in Lord Oztlan.
True to the Holy Nation's religious nature, such occurrences were commonplace, with volunteers lining up across the nation to enlist.
Thus, Korallak's mercenaries easily joined the Holy Nation's side.
The Steel Empire side, however, wasn't so straightforward.
"Hm. I understand your intent, Berirak Merchant Lord. But I must cite two reasons for refusal."
"I shall listen attentively."
He had approached Count Maximilian himself—the very hothead who'd recently raided Holy Nation territory.
Though a robot body of steel, his massive frame and fierce visage gave him the look of a classic general.
"First, the Empire cannot trust you. Your mercenary group is newly formed, and you're organics to boot—far too alien from the Empire.
Second, we don't know your capabilities. Even if you're exceptional, the Empire can repel the invasion without outside help.
Thus, I must refuse."
"A pity. I wish the Empire success."
"Mm. Hopefully next time we meet under better terms."
The meeting with Count Maximilian ended abruptly.
Looks like I'd have to support the Holy Nation for a while.
When the house is on fire, they'll take organics or inorganics alike.
Let's see if he stays calm even when shells rain on his castle.