One Step to the Great War (5): The Humanity Brotherhood
The Humanity Brotherhood—those pathetic fucks reeking of dog-shit orc cum and cheap knockoff jjajangmyeon—emerged from a grueling 69.74-second marathon meeting on their planet Nova Roma and declared what they called total war, throwing damn near everything they had into it.
Of course, for a mere warlord outfit like them, "total war" was about as imposing as some basement-dwelling Lü Bu with family power struggles. Still, they had keyboards in hand, so they could swing 'em—and yeah, getting hit by one hurt like hell. In that sense, the hundred warships they'd scraped together, mobilizing almost everything they had, looked pretty damn painful on paper.
The Brotherhood's fleet centered around a refitted Eldra obsolete cruiser, the flagship Gladius Nova Roma—named after Governor Lilian's Nova Roma's Sword—a Frankenstein heavy cruiser patched together from ancient Eldra scraps. They headed straight for Forge, arriving in no time flat.
"It's red...!"
Governor Lilian blurted out her first impression the moment they arrived at Forge, where the holy war between the Human Empire and inferior races was raging.
"Such a beautiful red. We need a factory planet like that ourselves...!"
She entertained that cute, knockoff-human thought for a split second before realizing how inferior it was and shoving it aside. No, why envy it? We're humans anyway. Just take the planet's ownership from those inferior Eldra scum and build one. We're superior, so it's fine.
The planet called Forge was shrouded in smog and the smoke of war, its orbit lined with the Human Empire's massive warships parked in neat formation—looking way too cool no matter how you sliced it. That mingled scent of gunpowder, metal, and industry fused with warfare. Inferior races worshiping some pathetic oversized tree called a World Tree couldn't even dream of this massive clash of steel. Governor Lilian felt her thighs grow slick between her legs without realizing it.
Picture it: Leviathan-class Aegis hulls stretching 76 kilometers anchoring the orbital center, not just one or two but dozens encircling the planet protectively, surrounded by dreadnoughts, cruisers, and destroyers twinkling like stars. If that didn't get your blood pumping, you might as well be a eunuch.
Lilian remembered how the old Humanity Brotherhood had squandered humanity's superior position, getting their asses kicked by inferior Eldra every time and whining to the Human Empire: "Aigoo, big brothers! We got hit! Please beat 'em for us!!" Her lips began to tremble.
This is humanity's power. That's what we want to become!
But at the same time, she clearly recognized how shabby she and her fleet looked by comparison. A hundred ships—most refitted from obsolete Eldra hulls with half-assed inferior tech. Pretty trash unworthy of the human name, yet too valuable to discard, like some awkward heirloom. She wouldn't be disappointed if the Emperor rejected these warships. On the contrary, it would prove even His Majesty knew how half-baked they were, fueling her resolve to throw her life away in ship-killing frenzy against inferior vessels. And she wasn't alone in that mindset.
Still, facing the reality that one of the Empire's latest dreadnoughts matched her entire fleet's firepower, she couldn't help feeling the Brotherhood had a long way to go.
"Governor."
Gaius Ferdinand spoke up from beside her. He too stared at the Empire's orbital fleet with awe mirroring her own.
"If we park next to that fleet... we'll look pathetic."
"Pathetic? Damn right we will."
Lilian admitted it bluntly.
"But that's our reality. Even if His Majesty accepts us, it doesn't change that we're late to the party. And... we're still ear-clippers for now."
Gaius flinched. "Ear-clipper" was a self-deprecating term used internally in the Brotherhood, but Lilian used it deliberately—to remind them they were Eldra on the cusp of true humanity, not yet officially recognized by His Majesty.
From the opposite side, Sophia Augusta quietly asked,
"So even as fellow humans joining the holy war, we're still 'pre-human'?"
"Exactly."
Lilian nodded.
"His Majesty the Emperor of the Human Empire has acknowledged us as human. But that's His mercy, not proof we've earned it. We prove our worth in blood... so we must topple the incoming inferior races' warships here."
Gaius clenched his fist.
"Then we..."
"Must stand at the forefront and fight. And die first. That's our only chance to wash away our original sin..."
The original sin of being born Eldra. The horrific atrocity of inferior Eldra blood daring to wage war on superior humanity. Chopping ears and changing names didn't alter DNA. Only His Majesty's recognition—and proving they'd absorbed the Empire's teachings through exemplary "war"—could cleanse that sin.
Lilian turned to the comms officer like issuing an order.
"Request contact with the Human Empire command. We'll pay homage to His Majesty."
Connection established without a hitch. A holographic screen flickered to life, displaying a face. Dark circles under sharp eyes, clad in battle armor with a golden imperial jacket over it—looking far too brilliant for a 21-year-old. The pinnacle of all humanity: His Majesty Emperor Leo Astraea, Kaius VIII.
"Ahh...!"
As the god worshipped by the Humanity Brotherhood appeared in person, Lilian dropped to her knees before the hologram. The entire bridge crew followed suit, kneeling toward the screen.
"Your Majesty! Humanity Brotherhood Governor Lilian Magdalena von Nova Roma humbly reports!"
"Mm..."
The Emperor nodded. Tough to read. As expected of His Majesty! She loved that inscrutability.
"We bring 100 warships and hundreds of thousands of troops to join Your holy war!"
She caught her breath to steady her excitement, then continued.
"At the same time, we report that hardliner warlords from the Eldra Coalition are sending reinforcements to this system. Details include fleet size, ETA, composition, and commander info—use it well! We also offer all military secrets gathered from the Eldra Coalition over the past 40 years!"
"Er, yes... I see. Well done."
"Thank you!!!"
Information—that was the Brotherhood's most valuable asset. Militarily pathetic, but positioned in the heart of Eldra space, they'd collected intel on warlords and the central government for decades. Stuff even the Empire's Intelligence Bureau struggled to obtain.
Lilian bowed until her forehead nearly touched the deck.
"Impudent as it is... to atone for our sins, we wish to fight and die at the vanguard, more than anyone. It's the only thing wretches like us can..."
"Enough."
The Emperor cut her off firmly.
"Don't do that."
"Pardon...?"
Lilian looked up in shock.
"There are no worthless lives, Governor."
Her breath hitched as she focused on his words.
"If you fight for humanity, you're human. Contrary to your thoughts, there are no more or less equal humans in my empire."
Her eyes widened.
"At least not in the empire I rule."
The Emperor's holographic gaze pierced straight through her. It held no mere mercy or pity—it was truth.
Declaring "no more or less equal humans" was something only a superior race could do. The original sin of Eldra birth. The inferiority of needing to clip ears to become human. The masochistic need to bow before the Empire. The Emperor negated it all in one sentence, affirming them.
"Your Majesty...!"
Tears welled in Lilian's eyes. Her faith wasn't denied—it was upheld, strengthened.
"Your Majesty..."
Sorrow choked her throat.
The Emperor continued.
"If you wish to fight for humanity, come down here and help us plan together."
Together. Not "follow," but together. Not a command to a subject, but an invitation as fellow humans to struggle side by side.
Understanding this, Governor Lilian Magdalena von Nova Roma cast aside all dignity, clenching her fists like a girl and shouting,
"Long live Emperor His Majesty!! Long live!! Long long live!!"
The cry spread across the bridge as everyone joined in.
"LONG LIVE EMPEROR HIS MAJESTY!!"
Gaius and Sophia wept as they shouted too.
Lilian yelled to the comms officer,
"Broadcast to the whole fleet! Now!"
As the channel opened, she cried out desperately,
"To all troops! His Majesty has recognized us as human! He declared 'there are no more or less equal humans'! We are human! Under His Majesty's guarantee! By His Majesty's word! We are human!!"
Cheers erupted from all 100 ships.
"LONG LIVE EMPEROR HIS MAJESTY!! LONG LIVE THE HUMAN EMPIRE!! LONG LIVE THE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD!!"
Lilian wiped her tears and continued,
"Moreover, His Majesty invites us down to plan together! He's personally granting us the chance to slaughter the enemy!"
The cheers swelled beyond physical limits.
Hearing them, Lilian felt a blaze ignite in her chest.
There are no more or less equal humans.
She'd devoted her life to that one sentence. Now it was rewarded in full. It was enough. More than enough.
She was fully prepared to give her all for Him.
"But don't forget. I'm just using you all."
"Use us as you will!!!"
"...Did you not hear? I'm using you."
"Do it!!!"
Even after comms cut, the ships echoed with "Long live His Majesty."
"Hah..."
I leaned back in my chair after cutting the comms, sighing softly. Honestly, my words just now were half-sincere, half-calculated.
The sincere part: I couldn't tell volunteers begging to die, "Sure, go die." Lazy as I am, paperwork-hating as I am, I'm not trash who treats lives lightly.
The calculated part: "Minimizing casualties is best." Not a total loss. Adding Brotherhood forces reduces Empire losses, which means fewer survivor pension forms—and less work for me.
Plus, these generals here were all hardcore human supremacists, making the Brotherhood essential.
Think about it. In the last Great War, we got flanked hard. Flanking's great tactics—no reason not to, from the xenos' view. We crushed them anyway, rising as the galaxy's strongest empire.
That history turned Reichenbach, Müller, Hohenzollern—even Aurora sis—into "Humans must achieve victory," "Accepting xeno help is shameful," "Non-humans tainting our pure battles" types.
I recall similar history lessons; the most repeated name was probably some "Chi" dynasty or whatever.
These fossilized boomers don't grasp pragmatism. Black cat, white cat—catches mice, good cat. Human or Eldra—kills enemies, good ally. Simple truth they ignore.
Efficiency. Efficiency is everything. Reducing paperwork is everything...!
But voicing that invites "Emperor sides with xenos" misunderstandings, breeding political issues and more paperwork. The paradox of anti-paperwork decisions creating paperwork is exhausting.
So I played the cold Emperor on the surface.
"Don't misunderstand."
Right after cutting comms, I reiterated to the generals.
"Accepting the Brotherhood isn't mercy—it's utilization."
Their expressions shifted subtly.
"Their intel's valuable. 40 years of Eldra Coalition secrets—even Intelligence couldn't get that. Reason enough to take them."
Reichenbach nodded first, the others following.
"Plus, allying them sows division among Eldra. Let them fight each other, spread their ideology, spark civil wars—their chaos is our peace, and our peace is..."
...my guaranteed sleep time. Inner thought.
"...the Empire's prosperity, right?"
Hohenzollern straightened up.
"I, Hohenzollern, am in awe of Your Majesty's wisdom!!"
"Haha. But don't give them too much. Avoid dependency."
This signaled "Emperor wary of xenos" to the generals—and it landed. They nodded in agreement. Image established: "The shrewd Emperor strategically using the Brotherhood."
As the meeting wrapped,
"Prepare the troops. Regroup in one hour."
I planned to use that hour digging into what the Brotherhood really was. The generals saluted and left, now understanding.
"Sis not going?"
"Do I have to?"
"You got stars on."
"Tch..."
Aurora sis left too.
Finally, to Erisa,
"Governor Erisa. The Brotherhood's governor and leaders will land. Greet them first—much appreciated."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Your will be done."
Erisa left. Now just me and Adjutant Kreuz in the room.
Time to tackle the issue causing 40% of my suffering: economics. Gotta chat casually with the new adjutant.
"Kreuz."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Let's talk economy."
The Empire's economy is in rough shape. Looks fine on surface, but this war's the only thing propping it—economic reasons, really.
"Economy?"
"Post-war, we rebuild Forge. Other border worlds might be similar—who knows. Survey populations properly, fix the economy."
To develop seriously, win over the masses—no more, no less. Gotta do it. Reduces future work.
[Governor's Office, 1st Floor Reception]
Erisa Karan welcomed the Humanity Brotherhood leaders. Three disembarked the shuttle: Governor Lilian, hardliner Gaius, moderate Sophia.
All Eldra with clipped ears, awkwardly mimicking Empire uniforms.
Erisa paused at the sight—first time seeing ear-clipped Eldra. Bizarre, intriguing.
But she smiled and extended a hand. They seemed different from the trash who'd attacked their planet—and His Majesty had accepted them.
Lilian grasped Erisa's hand with both of hers.
"Secretary Erisa Karan. I read your book."
Erisa's eyes widened.
"My book?"
What Lilian pulled out wasn't a datapad file but a printed paper book. Cover: His Majesty the Emperor with a Human Face, featuring a printed upper body of His Majesty arms crossed alone.
Erisa's Forge writings had reached the Brotherhood somehow, gotten printed. Fresh off the press, yet worn—clearly read often.
"A recent, perfect book on His Majesty from this very place! This is what I wanted!!"
Lilian's eyes sparkled with pure admiration and gratitude.
"I devoured it four times en route. Read it many times before, even to the kids!"
She boasted loudly, proudly.
"For His Majesty who accepted us, I'll give this life entire!"
Erisa beamed, flustered yet thrilled. Her writing read four times over—what greater reward for an author? Plus, shared His Majesty fandom.
"Thank you for reading. I'm honored."
Erisa bowed, then looked up.
"So, ear-clippers—what do you think of His Majesty?"
Using "ear-clippers" freely might offend, but these pre-human Brotherhood folk didn't mind—they called their own kind "inferiors."
Lilian answered instantly.
"Obviously, a god!"
No hesitation.
"He leads skull-cross-flagged warships—the proud Empire symbol—teaching inferiors their place. A magnificent heavenly educator."
She spread her arms toward the massive warships overhead, eyes closed in ecstasy, breathing deeply.
"How could He not be a god?"
Erisa's eyes lit with agreement. She nodded vigorously.
"Exactly. His Majesty is a god."
Their gazes met.
Erisa continued.
"I've seen His Majesty up close. In person!"
Lilian's eyes bulged.
"In person?!"
"Yes. When He descended here. Stepping off the shuttle. Burying the dead. Carrying relief supplies—I witnessed it all!"
Lilian inhaled sharply.
"His Majesty... seemed so cold on the surface."
Erisa's voice trembled.
"He told me, 'I'm doing this to reduce work.' 'To cut paperwork'—He acted distant, said needless things to push us away. As if it was for His convenience, not ours."
Lilian nodded.
"So humble."
"Yes. Beyond humility, really."
Erisa pulled out a notebook, flipped it open, showed it.
"I realized: His coldness is because He wants to embrace and protect all humanity. He acts aloof to keep His pain from spilling onto us."
"Embrace all...?"
"Yes. He's father, son, patriarch to everyone. Bearing immense pain, He stays cold so we don't suffer too."
Lilian teared up.
"As I thought...!"
"Yes!!"
Erisa bowed, then asked,
"Governor, one question. Why do you think His Majesty ignored the Brotherhood until now?"
Lilian's face lit with a smile.
"All for this holy war!"
Erisa's eyes widened.
"For the war?"
"Yes. Ignoring us made us gather strength, stand tall like this. He prepared our stage to be recognized as human!!"
"I see."
Erisa nodded slowly.
But then, a question arose.
"Then... His Majesty knew Forge would be attacked...?"
Before Lilian finished, Erisa answered.
"He knew."
"How...?"
"He had to make a painful choice."
Erisa jotted in her notebook.
"Sacrifice Forge to crush those inferiors' insolence forever."
Lilian's eyes widened.
"And Forge became the holy war's centerpiece—a blessed planet in sacred struggle. I'm proud my birthplace claims this first honor."
Ecstasy laced Erisa's voice.
Lilian clasped her hands.
"Indeed!!! His Majesty truly is a god!!"
Erisa fired back,
"Yes! He favors the active. You acted with conscience for humanity's war—He'll love it!"
Gaius and Sophia, listening behind, wiped tears and clapped.
"Long live Emperor His Majesty!"
"Long live humanity!"
"Long live Forge!"
"Long live the Humanity Brotherhood!"
All thanks to His Majesty the Emperor.