The long-awaited day had finally arrived: the day the ironclads sailed into Saven port. Up above, multiple F-15s and drones soared through the sky, keeping a vigilant eye on the bustling activity below and the potential threat of enemy forces amassing in the area. Along the shorelines, the ironclads loomed large, their hulls docking as troops disembarked onto the shore. These soldiers were armed to the teeth with muskets and adorned in eye-catching uniforms, while the cannons aboard their ships pointed menacingly towards the town.

Despite the imposing sight, the townsfolk welcomed the arrivals with open arms. Cheers erupted from the crowd, particularly from the elves who held the soldiers in high regard, a sentiment shared by many cultures. In contrast, just as most humans harbored disdain for demons, Bell harbored no warmth towards the newcomers. As the townsfolk waved enthusiastically and offered food, Falael even extended a handshake to the admiral commanding the fleet from a specially erected podium.

Meanwhile, Bell and Lisa could only observe the unfolding events through drone footage from the command center or from the SPEARs conducting specialized reconnaissance of the town. Despite Bell's refusal to accept the peace deal, he and his soldiers found themselves unwelcome in the town. However, on the flip side, humans somehow managed to coexist peacefully with the demons, a silver lining in the situation.

"I never imagined rejecting the treaty would result in being kicked out of town, but, oh well, their loss," Bell remarked.

"Yeah, it is what it is," Lisa agreed with a shrug.

Bell couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, not only from the townsfolk who embraced the foreign soldiers but also from Falael, who seemed all too eager to welcome the invaders. He couldn't help but recall the many who had turned away aid from the Federation, only to now welcome outsiders who offered far less in return for what the Federation had provided.

The acceptance of the ironclads and the brazen display of military might, coupled with Falael's apparent betrayal, hinted at a shifting power dynamic in Saven—one in which Bell and Lisa found themselves on the outside looking in. As the festivities carried on, elves and humans mingled freely with the soldiers, Bell and Lisa retreated deeper into the subdued hum of the command center, their thoughts swirling with anticipation of what lay ahead.

Bell's foremost objective was to justify an invasion of the town by the Federation, an inevitability he believed would soon come to fruition. But for now, all they could do was bide their time, waiting for the other side to make the first move in what seemed an imminent war. Every gun was trained on Saven, awaiting the moment they would be unleashed.

The 6,000-strong force trained rigorously each day in preparation for the impending ground invasion of Saven, ensuring they would not be caught off guard. It was evident from the outset that conflict with the Southern Coalition was on the horizon, marking the Federation's inaugural war with its newly established armed forces. Currently, only the informant Aya had gathered knew the full extent of the Federation's military might, and Bell doubted whether this information had been shared with others.

However, once he obliterated the fleet, the coalition would recognize the Federation's strength, prompting them to tread more cautiously. While reinforcements from the south were inevitable, their arrival would be delayed until the thawing of winter snows, compounded by the formidable mountain range they must traverse before reaching the northern plain.

"What do you anticipate will unfold next?" Lisa inquired.

"Firstly, I highly doubt Falael didn't make some concessions. Secondly, there'll likely be a need for them to supply the army, and thirdly, well, there may be human rights violations. Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, we mustn't be the ones to initiate hostilities," Bell asserted.

Lisa nodded, grasping the precarious balancing act Bell sought to uphold. "And if they do provide that casus belli?"

"Then we respond with overwhelming force," Bell declared resolutely. "Our forces are primed and trained for precisely this scenario."

Lisa leaned in, a furrow forming on her brow. "But what about the coalition? They won't simply stand idly by if we manage to dislodge their forces from Saven."

"Do you truly believe this will deter us from defending our territory? While I abhor the thought of war, I'd rather face one major conflict than a series of prolonged skirmishes. And let's not overlook the impact on the coalition's morale; if we make it too costly for them to continue, they may think twice about further aggression."

"Sounds like a solid plan, Bell," Lisa chimed in.

"The coalition is comprised of a bunch of racist supremacists; their peace agreement won't hold for long. It won't be long before Falael aligns with the coalition. Before we know it, they might be coming to us for assistance. But we'll only accept refugees," Bell stated, maintaining a strategic demeanor as he assessed the potential outcomes. "I have my doubts about Falael's intentions. He's likely made some compromises we're not aware of yet. And then there's the logistical challenge they'll face; supplying an army isn't easy. Most concerning, though, are the potential human rights violations that could occur. It's crucial we stay vigilant but also patient. We cannot afford to initiate hostilities."

Lisa, grasping the gravity of the situation, sought clarification. "What if they give us a legitimate reason to intervene?"

"We retaliate with decisive force," Bell asserted, his resolve unwavering. "Our troops are prepared for such an eventuality."

"But what about the coalition's response? They won't just watch us reclaim Saven without retaliation," Lisa pointed out, her concern evident.

Bell responded, his strategy encompassing more than just the immediate battle. "If it comes to defending our territory, we're ready. I'd rather face one large conflict than endless minor ones. Plus, undermining the coalition's morale could deter them from further aggression. It's about making the cost of their actions too high."

Lisa nodded, seeing the wisdom in Bell's approach. "That sounds like a pragmatic strategy."

Bell continued, "The coalition's unity is superficial, driven by common interests that are likely to fracture under pressure. Once they realize the complexities of their situation, we can expect that coalition to fracture. If that happens, our stance on offering sanctuary to refugees remains firm. It's a way to uphold our principles without directly engaging in their conflicts that would eventually come."

"Right," Lisa affirmed. "You do your job, I'll do mine."

He settled back into his seat, his focus once again fixed on the screens displaying the live feeds from Saven. "For now, we wait, we watch, and we prepare. We'll be poised to act, to safeguard what's rightfully ours, and ultimately ensure the survival of our people."

"You're just adding unnecessary steps, Bell, I gotta tell you. Even if we go to war now, most of the Federation would sympathize with you," Lisa interjected.

"I still care about optics, especially for the elves, especially when our plan involves leveling the town," Bell responded.

"Easier to rebuild on top of rubble, huh?" Lisa remarked.

"That's right," Bell affirmed.

"Regarding the plan to integrate humans and demons in New Glacier, I've reviewed Hanna's proposal, and it's quite impressive," Lisa continued.

"Oh? What does it entail?" Bell inquired.

"It involves extensive education and industrialization efforts, including the implementation of industrialized farming. There's a new strain of crop developed by The Facility specifically designed to thrive in cold climates. Considering the region's heavy reliance on agriculture, there's a push to utilize this crop. It's called Frost Wheat," Lisa elaborated.

"It's been some time, so it's no surprise," Bell mused, acknowledging the slower passage of time on their side compared to The Facility. Progress was to be expected, but he hadn't anticipated advancements outside the military sector. This was indeed encouraging news. "Keep me informed."

"Hanna will be in touch with you later, Bell," Lisa assured.

[Trial #4: Cassus Belli]

[Storm Saven]

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

Saven is currently being occupied by the Southern Coalition, and the situation there will detoriate rapidly without any foreign intervention. However, you need to break the trust between the two factions in Saven to make sure one side went to war against your faction. On one side, you need to maintain your optic, on the other, storming Saven now would be a better choice.

[Rewards: Ability To Turn Active Duty Soldier to Reservist + More Advanced Summoning Menu]

“Did you see that?”

“Oh, I see that,” Bell smirked.

“So, what will be our next step?”

“We’ll make sure that the war will only take two days.”

“By doing…?”

“Yeah. More troops. If this is going to be our first operation, might as well make it a proper one, right? Besides, there are holes to be filled in our organization, right?”