Season of Start, Day 15th 320 NA.

April 15th, 1 NE.

Archaía Polí Capital City, Ainhart Empire.

"We successfully moved our soldiers near the border of Megálo Sýnoro plains between us and the holy kingdom. The 2nd Army should already arrived at the southern border while the 3rd army stationed our northeast border of the three league kingdoms. The 4th and 5th army guards our capital and the rest of the empire."

"The 1st, 2nd and 3rd fleets consist of 300 ships guards the great shores of Kalm meanwhile the 4th and 5th fleets are in the great river. We will use them after the air force soften the holy kingdom's fortification in their ports near the capital."

Inside the great hall of the Castle in the capital various advisors of Emperor Foveró Spathí Vasiliás gathered for the plans and strategy for the great invasion against the Fredericana Holy Kingdom.

"Hm, although we have greater number of force we can't underestimate the holy kingdom. I think everyone present here knows how fearsome their paladins and dragon knights are. They have a close number of soldiers to us. Therefore I don't want a simple push offensive. If possible I want to minimize our future loss to fully control the holy kingdom."

"That's understandable your majesty. We too does not want to lose so much men in this offensive, however loss is inevitable in wars. Therefore we made a plan to surprise out enemies by heading straight to their capital."

Emperor Foveró was intrigued.

"Continue." He said to Marcus Oslos one of his advisors and the chief of Foreign Affairs.

"Yes. There are three ways to get in the holy kingdom's capital. First is by crossing the border, second is sailing the great river and landing in the border between Daxhton kingdom and the holy kingdom, and the other one is a naval attack in the town of Dragnar. However those methods will most likely fail. Both said places are extremely guarded and fortified, ferocious and vile monsters are also common on said areas. However there's a small way to get inside the holy kingdom without getting caught. And that place is here." Marcus pointed on the map layed on the long table a long mountain ranges in the tip of the holy kingdom.

"These long mountain ranges act as a natural defense for both the empire and the holy kingdom. It stretches from the Megálo Sýnoro plains to the town of Dragnar. I have travelled the nearest settlement in the ranges and ask the local if there's any path crossing the ranges and to my surprise, there is one. Thanks to the help of the locals. I and some of my knights travelled a day of climbing and going down the mountain we stumbled upon a huge cave. We explored the cave and faced hostile creatures such as green-kins and orcs. Thankfully we successfully fended them off. After a couple of hours of walking we finally reached the end of the cave. To our surprise. When we exited the cave we were in the forest full of intoccabile flowers. After inspecting the place. We concluded that we just entered the holy kingdom of the Magical Forests."

Murmurs and noises took over the hall. Emperor Foveró clapped his hands to silence everyone.

"That was a great discovery Marcus, it might indeed help us to get in the enemy's land without getting caught. But is the cave is safe? If yes how about the magical forest? The forest itself is home for hordes of different kind of monsters and magical beast."

Marcus smiled and replied.

"That's true your majesty. However fear not. This past months before the positioning of our soldiers in the border. I used my connections inside the holy kingdom. I gave numerous of requests in the adventurer's guild in the holy kingdom and requested subjugation of monsters near the ranges. To not caught the attention of the holy kingdom. We discretely ordered some of the largest companies in our empire to buy massive amount of monster cores and parts, this caused the merchants to make requests here and there making adventurers of the southern holy kingdom to accept the request."

Emperor Foveró pondered.

"So basically, you used the guise of the request to cover your real intentions. And now that the majority of monsters in the magical forest was subjugated it should at least take a month before those monsters respawns. Quite clever of you Marcus."

Present advisors, military commanders applaud Marcus for his simple yet outstanding plan.

"You honor me your majesty. All of us ought to bring glory to the empire. I am just simply doing my part for making the empire most fearsome and civilized nation in the while fourth civilization."

"You are being too humble Marcus. Since you made this plan that might increase our chance to defeat the holy kingdom, in the name of the emperor of Ainhart Empire, I, Emperor Foveró Spathí Vasiliás assigns you Marcus Oslos to lead the plan to infiltrate the holy kingdom in the south."

Everyone once again applauded Marcus and praising his cleverness.

===

Capital City Hexia, Fredericana Holy Kingdom.

The castle in the capital city was bustling with activity. Servants was seen walking and running in a hurry. The Ainhart Empire's soldiers in the border started to move. They already have crossed the border and now heading towards the city of Basilik where the 200,000 soldiers of the holy kingdom awaits them.

"We already have fortified the city of Basilik. Our infantry are supported with tens of artilleries and hundreds of cannons. 150 wyverns are ready to face the enemy air force. Magi-ships and dragon riders are in the rear for reinforcement. 20 of our fire wyverns will face enemy warships. Our magicians are also in position. Priest and Healers are on standby. Your holiness our force are fully prepared for this invasion. If we command our forces right we can fend off the empire back to the border. And for our final card. The newly designed elemental bombs will obliterate the enemy main forces and with that, we can advance until we reach the town of Faus in the empire." 

Commanders of each army divisions has been discussing and making plans against the upcoming empire. The holy queen is not present in the meeting due to that she has no knowledge in war.

"We're not going to win this war just by holding them in Basilik, General Boris. You said that we will use our new developed bombs to the enemy's main force but how are you so sure that this will be effective?".

"Commander Lithus, do you not trust our own developed bombs that made by the magician division and with the participation of the holy queen herself in the project?"

Commander shook his head. "Of course I know that the capability of the elemental bombs can obliterate thousands of soldiers, General Boris. However we won't win this war just by relying on these bombs right, General Boris? We have only a limited amount of elemental bombs with three, the empire has more than half a million soldiers not to mention they have warships and much more larger force in every aspect. Our plan is just plain and simple, do you think we'll win this?".

General Boris slammed his fists on the table, "Since you came here all you do is yapping here and there! If you have a better plan then say it!".

Both General Boris and Commander Lithus stared intensely with each other before then someone butted in their heating conversation.

"That's enough. Arguing will not help us, General Boris, Commander Lithus is right. We are talking about the empire after all. We've been in war with then since the 30th year of the holy kingdom's foundation. Our last wars with the empire always resulted in stalemate with the empire gaining a few land. We're just using the same methods before and the empire surely knows that. Therefore we must come up with a plan before they reach Basilik."

General Boris sighed, "Alright. So does anyone have suggestions?" 

"Umm...if I may." A quite young man raised his hand.

"How about we ask our allied nations such as Alfrein Kingdom and the Phanx states?"

General Boris shook his head, "The Phanx states does not want to join this war. Although they are our allies. They only have a small amount of troops and all of them are guarding their borders with the empire. As for the Alfrein Kingdom. They are hands are also full due to the movements of the imperium in the north and east."

The young man frowned, "I see..."

"However fear not! Although the empire has a better technological advantage over us, we are far more superior in magic and will make up for some aspects."

"Since there's no any matter to discuss. Everyone is dismissed now."

Military officials and advisors exited the room. Only General Boris and Commander Recca Vanderman was left.

"Are you reluctant wether we'll win this war?" Commander Recca asked.

"I don't know...but wether we win or lose, we must protect the holy kingdom at all cost. Only us here in the holy kingdom are the ones who can fight the empire head on. Who knows what kind of thing will the empire do when were gone."

Commander Recca sighed, "Hah...so what are you going to do now?"

"Well I'm just going to rely on you and your paladins."

Commander Recca chuckled, "I guess it's just fine. Since I'm going to retire after this anyway."

===

Drums and various instruments played by the empire echoes throughout the plains of Megálo Sýnoro. Thousands of Imperial Army marched towards the small city of Basilik where the troops of the holy kingdom formed a line from formation.

Magi-cannons of the holy kingdom's side aimed and fired to the marching imperial soldiers.

When the imperials entered the range of holy kingdom's soldiers they begun to ready their rifle and self to open fire.

An officer shouts as he ordered, "Make ready!"

"Present!"

"Fire!"

Hundreds of Magi-muskets fired onto the marching imperials, screams and cries was heard from the imperial ranks with the magi-muskets tore their flesh. The magi-muskets used by the holy kingdom has a effective range of 110 meters with an astonishing preciseness.

Eventually the imperials reached the range of their magi-guns. 

===

Ron was from the village of Koff located on the far south of the empire. He and his siblings usually work in the fields of their village. Unlike some of his friends. Ron was not talented in magic nor intelligent enough to be accepted in an academy. He only completed elementary knowledge in the church of the village.

He tried to become an adventurer however was only got beated up by the adventurer's guild instructor and failed.

Ron just decided to return in his village to work. A month later, some military officials came to their village in order to recruit young and healthy males for military service. Any volunteers was promised honor, wealth and to experience the glory of war. Ron saw big opportunity and joined the military. His parents did not approved his decision however was not able to stop him due to the persuasion of the military.

And now Ron marched forward the enemies with his comrades in arms.

Their platoon leader yelled as they were ordered. "Make ready!"

Ron hold his rifle kneeling while other soldiers stands on his back.

"Aim, present!"

His model-3 magi-musket although inferior to that of holy kingdom's standard magi-muskets in range, however in terms of fire power and rounds it can fire per minute, theirs are far more superior.

"Fire!"

Ron pulled the trigger of his magi-musket along with his squad in unison. The powerful model-3 magi-musket pierced through the holy kingdom's ranks tore whoever got hit by the rounds of the model-3. The casualties on the holy kingdom's side was devastating. With just a single volley of fire they have killed more than 40 Fredericanians unlike their casualty with only 15. The Fredericanians stood in shocked and eventually returned to their mind after Ron's troop was once again to shoot the frozen Fredericanians.

"Fire!"

The confused Fredericanians was like a sitting duck as the imperials once again open fire through their ranks.

"GUAHHH!!! MY MY HANDS!!!"

"Argh!!!"

The once 100 amount of troops on the Fredericanians' side was decimated to only 30 still standing while the rest were neither injured nor died due to the devastating fire power of the model-3 magi-muskets.

With their commander dead, eventually the Fredericanians hastily retreated.

Ron and his comrades yelled in joy. He felt like unstoppable and made his morale and his comrades skyhigh.

"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!!!"

===

Season of Start, Day 17th 320 NA.

April 17th 1 NE.

New Terra Capital City Auroraborealis, XIS: Napoleon.

In the middle of the night. Ars walks towards the meeting room inside the XIS: Napoleon. It's been a while since he boarded the ship before he became the governor general of the interim government. He also became much more busier since they arrived and settle in the New Terra.

Various departments were established and somehow decreased his work. The food problem was also solved, although they are not fully self efficient yet, the trade with the duke of Lanran and the natives makes up for it.

As for internal affairs, there are multiple individuals in their watchlist who are being observe by the intelligence department. There are also some prominent individuals who banded together in order to overthrow the current government to impose their selfish desires in this lawless world.

All of them were arrested and those attempted to flee got their heads exploded. Ars as the governor general has the full power to execute those who are threat to him in the times of emergency, allowing him to get access with chips inside the brain of every individual under him.

He eventually reached his destination.

"Your excellency, please this way."

Although Ars knew and memorized every edge of his own or rather former ship. There's still attendants to guide him. What a pain he thought.

A seconds later, he reached the meeting place with his military advisors and various department heads.

Everyone stood from their chair. "At ease."

They waited for Ars to sit before they settled into their chair.

"Now. Let's begin."

===

A/N: After pondering for some time now, I decided to fasten the story a bit. The reason is it would probably take so much time before I finish some arcs. So I'll try shorten some explanations in the future chapters.

Thanks for the continue support dear readers! And don't hesitate to drop your comments or opinions below and see ya' next chapter!