In Frostwood, a quaint coffee shop provided the backdrop for an intense discussion among four individuals. Three of them held prominent positions within the Federation’s military, while the fourth found herself there by invitation from her superior.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as the four sat around, their untouched cups serving as silent witnesses to their conversation. Among them was Aya, her alertness undoubtedly bolstered by modafinil, recounting the recent flurry of activity with the 120th Air Assault and SPEARs units.

"It's been quite a demanding week," Aya remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion. "But we've managed to intercept and seize twenty slave ships, some even beyond Saven. As for the approaching fleet, they're a mere four days away. It's been a grind, but we've made significant progress, ma'am."

Lisa, one of the military brass, interjected, her tone casual yet authoritative as she took a sip of her coffee. "Relax, Aya, we're not in a boardroom. Just call me Lisa. I value your perspective on this matter. That's why Rossovento brought you here."

Aya hesitated, her weariness evident as she replied, "I appreciate that, ma'am, but calling you Lisa feels... odd. Nevertheless, I'll defer to your preference."

She refrained from indulging in the coffee before her, her mind fixated on the comfort of her bed. Her body, still bearing the marks of relentless operations, yearned for rest. Sylva's unexpected invitation to the coffee shop, amidst the lingering scent of the sea and grime from her recent missions, only added to her longing for solitude.

Despite her desire to retreat to the solace of her own space and music, Aya couldn't refuse Sylva's call. Duty, it seemed, trumped even her most basic desires.

Seated across from her was none other than the literal chancellor herself, a woman whose authority rivaled that of Bell Radcliffe. In essence, this encounter felt akin to meeting with the president. Yet, amidst the gravity of their discussion, Aya couldn't shake her bewilderment at the apparent nonchalance of the demons in this country. In a world engulfed by war, their lack of security measures seemed unfathomable.

Why are the demons in this country so... relaxed? Aya couldn't help but wonder aloud. Even in Japan, where the prime minister is a demon, they wouldn't dare roam without a bodyguard, let alone engage with a mere foot soldier like me. It's baffling, especially with the ongoing conflict.

Lisa, undeterred by Aya's inner turmoil, pressed on with her inquiry. "So, what are the conditions like for these captives?"

Aya's response was measured yet grim as she recounted the harrowing reality faced by those aboard the slave ships. "It varies based on the distance traveled. For instance, those we rescued after traversing 1000 nautical miles were in dire straits. The elves were shackled and severely malnourished, while the kins fared even worse."

With a somber expression, Aya produced her phone, displaying the damning evidence captured through her lens. The photographs depicted the deplorable conditions endured by the slaves—tattered garments, emaciated frames, and the indignity of sleeping amidst their own filth. It was a stark reminder of the inhumanity they faced, a stark contrast to the treatment afforded to prisoners of war under the Federation's care.

Lisa's gaze shifted towards Hanna, her expression expectant. "And here I thought you wouldn't approve of investing in a navy."

"After hearing your proposal and weighing the costs, I believe the potential benefits outweigh the risks," the white-haired demon nodded in agreement. "Besides, considering the ambitious nature of your plan, having a search and rescue team nearby seems prudent."

Lisa chuckled at the implication, her amusement evident. "Indeed, that seems like a wise decision."

Hanna endorsed Lukas' plan, greenlighting the acquisition of four F125 Baden-Württemberg-class frigates, along with Globaleye AWACS aircraft, as an interim measure until heavier vessels could be procured to establish a fully-fledged navy. These frigates were swiftly deployed to intercept slave ships attempting to flee Saven's ports amidst the chaos.

Accompanied by specially equipped helicopters, each frigate housed a contingent of elite forces ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The arrival of these forces, including Aya and her team, was coordinated seamlessly by the AWACS.

However, the urgency of the situation diverted Aya's focus from her original mission—to locate the bio-weapon manufacturer operating within Saven's confines. With every passing day, the risk of another devastating bio-weapon attack loomed larger, threatening the very fabric of the Federation.

Despite the pressing need to neutralize this threat, Aya's hands were tied, her attention consumed by the relentless pursuit of slave ships. Only Sylva's assurance that this would be the final mission provided a glimmer of hope that Aya could soon resume her search in the South, where the elusive manufacturer awaited discovery.

"So, what's this crazy plan you three are hatching?" Aya queried, her earlier deference to authority momentarily set aside.

Lisa exchanged a glance with Hanna, silently communicating before nodding to Sylva, who took the floor. "We're entrusting our prime minister to nuke the fleet using an F-15."

"A NUKE?" Aya's lethargy vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of alarm.

"Yes, indeed. Bell will pilot his F-15 armed with two B-61 bombs set to maximum yield. He'll drop the bombs and evacuate the area swiftly," Lisa elucidated, her tone remarkably composed given the gravity of the plan.

Aya couldn't help but remark, "Your explanation makes it sound deceptively simple, Lisa." Even the most naive individual in the Federation would recognize the moral complexity of deploying a nuclear weapon. Yet, as Aya pondered further, she realized that recent events, including the swift elimination of 12,000 enemy combatants, had already showcased the formidable power wielded by their faction. In this context, the nuclear option seemed like just another strategic maneuver.

Lisa took a sip of her espresso, nonchalantly stating, "It's straightforward. If Bell rises to the occasion, I have no doubt he possesses the skills to enhance our nation's productivity."

Hanna chimed in, "I concur. Investing in Bell's capabilities is an investment in our collective future. With much of our strength concentrated in him, it's a prudent move."

"So, the entire operation was essentially aimed at clearing out civilian ships in the vicinity?" Aya sought clarification.

"Exactly," Sylva affirmed with a nod.

Aya didn't necessarily object to the prospect of using a nuclear weapon. Her concern lay more in the broader implications of such a drastic measure. After all, a nuke represented the pinnacle of their current arsenal, unless someone stumbled upon something even more devastating, like antimatter—but that discussion could wait for another time. Exploring other unconventional means of warfare was a possibility, but pushing the boundaries too far carried its own risks.

Drawing from her pre-existing knowledge, Aya understood the immense power that individuals could wield. For instance, she was aware of the Longinus Barrage, attributed to a single individual, which packed a punch comparable to multiple salvos of Tomahawk missiles fired from an Arleigh-Burke destroyer. While the coalition might keep their trump cards hidden, Aya simply hadn't unearthed them yet.

Then, there were the enigmatic cases of otherworlders arriving in this realm. RAA's mandate was clear: capture them and extract information at any cost. Currently, their primary target was Ilya, the individual with the ability to wield Longinus. Despite their efforts, RAA had yet to locate her. In the meantime, they focused on replicating the method for crafting Aether missiles, with the sole missing piece being how to make them target-specific.

Aya's thoughts returned to the present as Sylva's hand rested on her back, pulling her back to reality. "Yes, ma'am?" Aya responded, her attention shifting to the file placed before her on the table.

"Here's your assignment for tomorrow," Sylva announced, sliding the file across the tabletop.

Aya's curiosity piqued as she opened the file, only to be greeted by a stack of ten one-hundred Auroral bills, accompanied by a piece of paper sporting a bold "HAVE FUN" message. It was an unconventional gesture from her boss, but the unexpected windfall would certainly sustain her for weeks to come.

"Thanks, ma'am," Aya acknowledged with a nod, swiftly stowing the bills in her wallet.

"Don't mention it," Sylva replied nonchalantly.

With a final polite gesture, Aya left the coffee shop, leaving Hanna, Lisa, and Sylva to their discussion, dropping a Auroral bill on the table to cover her coffee before departing.

Lisa wasted no time delving into the weighty matter concerning Aya. There was a purpose behind Aya's invitation—to allow Sylva and Lisa to assess whether she was withholding any information. While Bell's system offered assurance against mutiny, concerns lingered about Aya, the seemingly brainwashed necromancer.

"That girl appears stable," Sylva remarked.

"Stable my ass. Please. Have you seen her medical records? If I were you, I'd be more than concerned. She's been plagued by nightmares, all of which eerily mirror our recent battles over the past two months. And let's not forget her recurring dreams about her true past," Lisa interjected, drawing from her expertise as a medical professional.

Sylva nodded thoughtfully. "I trust Wood and Ade to handle Aya adequately."

"It would be a tragedy to lose such a woman," Lisa added somberly.

"A girl trapped in a woman's body, perhaps?" Hanna attempted to inject a touch of levity into the conversation.

Sylva acknowledged the precarious situation with a solemn nod. "Indeed, confining her to a mental prison has only fueled her desperation to break free. Dealing with mere husks was one thing, but contending with tactical skeletons trained nearly on par with RAA agents presents a whole new challenge. Still, capturing her was your idea, Lisa," she added, directing her gaze towards her colleague.

Hanna's inquiry mirrored the concerns lurking in their minds. "What if she does manage to escape?"

"In the worst-case scenario, we'd be facing dragons wreaking havoc in our base once again. In the best-case scenario, it would likely result in a severe mental breakdown," Lisa responded grimly.

Aya remained a volatile wildcard, her potential threat looming large. Yet, there was an unspoken acknowledgment among them of her undeniable value—her skills, loyalty, and contributions to their cause. Despite Sylva's reluctance to admit it, Aya had proven herself to be both loyal and competent, garnering praise even from Andre, who initially advocated for her termination. Wood, too, spoke highly of her.

"For now, let's keep a close watch on her," Sylva proposed.

"Yes, that seems prudent," Hanna agreed, echoing the sentiment.

As the coffee shop door creaked open, all heads turned to see Bell's entrance. Contrary to their expectations, he appeared fatigued, bearing a resemblance to Aya in his weariness. Despite being clad in his flying gear, sans the jacket and pricey targeting helmet, there was no mistaking his identity.

Bell made his way to the counter, placing an order for a drink, his demeanor betraying the strain of recent endeavors.