Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Holy Union's Border Fiasco
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Securing the Lourka Star System didn't mean the job was done.
A leader always had to prepare for the worst.
In reality, the chances of it happening were practically zero, but what if they entered a state of war with the Holy Union and the Holy Kingdom and Empire refused to open their borders?
The Lourka Star System would be isolated, forced to endlessly fend off the Holy Union's assaults.
To solve this, they needed a way to reach Lourka without other nations' permission.
If that wasn't possible, the only option was for the Lourka Star System to produce its own necessary supplies while constantly repelling invaders.
Since most organisms could be converted into organic matter, self-sufficiency was easier than for mechanical engineering, which required specific minerals.
Conveniently, there was an ocean planet perfect for cultivating organic materials.
True to a star system boasting a rich marine ecosystem, the star's energy output was just right.
This setup was more than sufficient even for charging solar beams.
If no viable size had emerged, they would have decided to abandon the system in an emergency.
It was too far from PATO territory—defending it might have been pure greed.
But given the Holy Union's national power, defense seemed feasible without issue.
No reason not to invest, then.
He wanted to bring the entire Lushaka Kingdom fleet here alongside PATO forces and station them all, but these Treegalaon swarms consumed too much organic matter.
Once Lourka Planet was fully converted into a perfect food production base, it might be possible.
Lourka Planet's oceans were remarkably similar to Earth's.
Thankfully, no methane or nitrogen seas—nightmares for Earth life—just normal H2O-based waters.
That didn't mean they could transplant sea plants grown on Earth directly.
They had to consume local plants, blend them with their own genetics, and cultivate high-productivity variants for planting.
To boost the locals' work ethic, they exported various cultural goods without forgetting.
People worked when they needed money, after all.
Lushaka would provide improved seeds too—they just had to hope the locals worked hard.
If they could smoothly send Lushaka-modified seeds and troops to Lourka, everything would wrap up neatly.
"The Holy Union Supreme Council expresses deep regret over the recent defection of the Lourka Union from the alliance and voices concerns regarding PATO's actions. The Holy Union believes this decision warrants reconsideration as to whether it truly reflects the free will of the nation in question."
"Such actions by PATO risk unnecessarily heightening galactic tensions. To maintain order and peace among alliance member states, the Holy Union hereby announces temporary restrictions on border crossings by foreign nationals."
"We hope this matter resolves amicably through rational dialogue."
The Holy Union had slammed its borders shut.
Having sorted things internally, they acted swiftly.
From merchants and travelers to diplomats like envoys, all foreign border crossings were controlled.
PATO personnel inside the Holy Union showed no overt interference on the surface, but clear surveillance had been attached.
No more meddling would be tolerated.
Yet they displayed a mix of firm resolve and a low posture.
Emphasizing it was "temporary," they signaled no intent to sever ties with foreign nations.
"We'd appreciate your understanding. You all know how big a deal it is when an alliance member defects, right?"
It was their circus—preserving Holy Union territory intact while avoiding wrecked diplomacy.
Why act so pathetically? Should've managed it better from the start.
"We need to head to the Lourka Star System to protect our PATO member nation, so please open the borders."
Not trying to scam you—open the damn gates. I'm busy.
"Hah."
What the hell were these guys?
They were closing borders because of you.
That single syllable packed doubt, bewilderment, and fury.
What? Got a problem?
Speak up if you've got complaints.
Not the Holy Kingdom or Empire, but some upstart blocking PATO over borders?
Living in the Holy Kingdom's shadow must've blinded them to galactic realities.
"We'll give you one month. Open the borders."
"What do we do now?"
"What do you mean? We absolutely cannot open them."
The Holy Union leadership had headaches.
PATO's response was more aggressive than expected.
The Holy Union hadn't closed borders lightly.
Though splintered into countless nations with meager tech, they knew each was meddling in the alliance.
The problem was detecting those schemes.
They hadn't anticipated PATO's involvement, but mechanization rates climbed in nations bordering the Empire.
Faith deepened daily in those near the Holy Kingdom, fueling defection sentiments—and they couldn't ignore it.
Thus, while seeking ways to stabilize internally, the unthinkable happened: the Lourka Union defected.
This jacked up the Holy Union's vigilance.
PATO agents had only recently been detected, yet they'd fully seized a nation already.
Unlike the Holy Kingdom or Empire, locals were claiming it themselves—no steel overhauls screaming Empire, no zealot faith.
If PATO wielded this influence from the galaxy's far side, how much pull did bordering Empire and Holy Kingdom have?
The Holy Union couldn't help but feel their own power's inadequacy.
Ultimately, leadership decided on preemptive surgery before nations were too infested to touch.
With states already shaky, they couldn't let fractures fester.
Block external meddling, purge traitors, keep true Holy Union remnants—even at the cost of blood.
PATO's role in the defection gave perfect pretext.
Holy Kingdom and Empire's interventions were unofficial—they couldn't quibble.
PATO, being distant, had limited reach; as the defection's architect, they'd have the decency not to interfere—or so they thought.
"They're gearing up for war?"
"Bluffing. How would they supply from there to here? Impossible."
"Couldn't Lourka handle supplies?"
"How, in a system that's all ocean? Think—repair ships with seaweed or... something..."
"..."
"..."
"...Open them?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
Fortunately, the Holy Union's tantrum ended as a farce.
With rational dialogue, most worldly problems could be solved.
The Supreme Council took massive political hits and became a laughingstock mere days after their bold statement, retracting the policy.
The seeds and fleet headed for Lourka Planet arrived safely, dramatically boosting the planet's food production.
Locals ignored space, living contentedly underwater—no heavy management needed. Not a trade hub like Hong Kong or Macau, so no external relations to fuss over.
As a purely military outpost, the system's fleet would expand to match self-sustaining food levels.
With new sentient entities paired with spawning units and evolution specialists accompanying the fleet, they could manage without homeland support.
Yet the Empire showed zero reaction to the Holy Union's outburst.
Hadn't they fully secured states leaning their way?
The Holy Union called it temporary.
But prolonged indefinite closure could forfeit Empire's painstakingly built human networks.
Having operated in the Holy Union far longer than PATO, they'd surely act to preserve influence—or so expected. Nope.
No response before, during, or after PATO's moves.
Thankfully, the Holy Union cleared the mystery.
Why would they explain the Empire's inaction?
"We can no longer tolerate the Supreme Council's incompetence and arrogance. The Ozutlan Democratic Republic opposes Holy Union rule and declares its independent path."
"You don't seriously think that'll fly? Crush them."
"Says who?"
Suspected Empire-influenced states declared new nations and independence.
And predictably, the Holy Union had no intention of letting it slide—a civil war erupted within the alliance.