𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗𝟑: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫 (2)
The Valkyries and Einherjar of Thor’s Order have deserted the front lines en masse. They have heeded Oswald’s call and taken up Thor’s relics, and because of that, the Kingdom of Holland has been easily crushed, leaving nothing but frozen wasteland as the Empire claims all of its territory.
Within a week of their entry into the war, the Kingdom of Holland was reduced to ruin. The same fate befell the Kingdom of Francia. The Empire’s Black Sea Fleet, Aegean Fleet, Adriatic Fleet, and Ionian Fleet sailed along the Francia coastline, wreaking havoc.
Then, the Southern Army Corps began their landings. . . and soon the entire kingdom fell to the Empire.
“Has the Empire already gained the power to devour the entire western continent?”
The Kingdom of Britannia had also lost all of its continental territory, save for the islands, to the Empire. Democratic Republic President Jean Bradlay was at a loss for words in the face of this dire situation.
Thanks to the Pyrenees, the southern territories of the Republic were still holding out. . . but that too was about to end. The Empire’s fleets, which had invaded the Kingdom of Francia, were about to enter the Balearic Sea, and there was no way to stop them.
“Your excellency, how about requesting support from the High Elves of Elondil Empire?”
The mighty magocracy of Elondil Empire. A nation with advanced magical civilization thanks to its abundant magical crystal resources.
“If we call upon Elondil, we will have to give them what they want, but what do we have?”
“If they want territory, we give them territory. If they want magical crystals, we give them magical crystals. If we are swallowed up by the Empire as we are, we will never be free again.”
“Has the royal family of Britannia still not answered?”
“It seems they intend to protect only the islands.”
“Sigh. . . It cannot be helped. Send an envoy to Elondil at once.”
The Republic dispatched Foreign Minister Cassius Monial to Elondil Empire to request their support.
Thanks to the warp gate, Foreign Minister Cassius arrived in Elondil Empire’s capital, ‘Gloria Solis’, in just 10 minutes. The capital of the High Elf Empire, which meant ‘Glory of the Sun’ in Elven.
A dazzling, pure white city. . . Floating islands floated all over the city, and aerial battleships flew through the streets and skies, showcasing the advanced magical civilization of the magocracy.
“Welcome, Foreign Minister. I am Foreign Minister Manuel.”
“I am grateful for your hospitality despite my sudden visit.”
“Please come, the Sun Emperor awaits.”
A short while later, Foreign Minister Cassius was meeting with Sun Emperor Galadriel in the imperial palace of Elondil Empire. The oldest of the High Elves, who had been granted the power of the sun by ‘Sun God Azir’ and lived an immortal life.
Sun God Azir was not a god belonging to the Nine Divines, but a god of the same rank as Chronos, and the patron god of the High Elves. Of course, the Nine Divines did not recognize Sun God Azir and treated them as heretics.
However, there were also those among the elves who worshipped Chronos, so the Nine Divines did not deny and antagonize all elves.
“It has been a long time, Cassius.”
“Your Majesty is as radiant as ever.”
“Indeed, why have you come to Elondil from the Republic?”
At Sun Emperor Galadriel’s words, Cassius spoke his request honestly and directly, without beating around the bush.
“Can you dispatch troops to aid our Republic?”
“You mean to participate in the war against the human empire, Imperial Empire?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Hmm. . .”
“Is there any reason why we should do that?”
“Do you think Imperial Empire will be satisfied with just the western continent? Human greed is endless. They will soon set their sights on Gigas as well.”
“That is true, but. . . surely the Imperial Empire knows that we elves are no pushovers?”
Elondil Empire was a great power with a territory that was half the size of the current Imperial Empire, even in terms of landmass. Moreover, Elondil Empire had an alliance with the Sahara Empire and Orion Empire, other Elven empires on the continent of Gigas.
The continent of Gigas has always had abundant magical crystal resources, and the density and purity of magic is also high. Because of this, it took less time and cost to recharge magical crystals that had been completely depleted of magic.
Furthermore, Elondil was not the only one with High Elves. Drakes, who act as the guardians of Middle-earth in place of dragons, also resided in the Empire. They could not use powerful magic beyond the 9th circle like dragons, but they could use magic up to the 8th circle.
“We will cede all of the territories in the New Continent that the Republic possesses to Elondil. I would also like you to know that the territories in the New Continent that our Republic has secured include high-quality magical crystal mines.”
“The cession of resource-rich territories. . . Will that be alright?”
“We have judged that it is better to lose some resources than to lose our country.”
“Hmm. . .”
“So please. . . help our Republic!”
“If you permanently cede the Balearic Islands in addition to the territories in the New Continent, I will provide you with support.”
“Very well.”
The Republic was prepared to accept even if they had to give up their own homeland. And so, Elondil Empire’s participation in the war was decided.
High Elf Empress Galadriel immediately gathered reporters and made a major announcement. . . she declared that she would participate in this war for the sake of world peace, in response to the request of the Democratic Republic.
First, a mediation proposal was sent to the Empire. It was a mediation proposal asking for a ceasefire with the Republic and other third countries, in recognition of the territories gained so far. Naturally, the Empire refused, and Elondil, as expected, declared war on the Imperial Empire.
“First, let’s send the first advance force through the warp gate.”
“How many for the advance force?”
“We will send two legions. After that, we will send one army group.”
Two legions would be 100,000, and one army group would be 1 million. The elves were a long-lived race, but they were not as fertile as humans. Despite this, they were able to have such a large force thanks to their advanced magical science.
To be more precise, the more appropriate choice of words would be magical genetics.
They used homunculi to solve their problem of insufficient population. In particular, homunculi had the characteristic of growing rapidly to adulthood, and by manipulating only a few parts, their emotions could be restricted, making them very good substitutes for population.
And the troops being dispatched this time were also units made up of homunculi. Homunculus armies that had no emotions such as fear or desire, and only the recognition that they were to carry out orders. And because they were based on elven blood, they became soldiers who were proficient in both spirit magic and general magic.
“I think it would be better to send the Knights of the Sun.”