Patriot single-handedly shattered the confidence of Duke Fife's soldiers. For the first time, they felt how insignificant they were before the fearless Shieldguards. Then they were utterly outmatched by the Lightbearer Legion and its advanced weaponry. And when they saw women with Sankta halos tilted above their heads wielding lightsabers as tall as their own bodies and charging straight into their ranks, their will collapsed completely.
Weapons were cast aside. Armor was torn off, as if stripping away iron plates could also strip away the terror looming over them.
Patriot stood at the center of a mound of corpses, calmly pulling a broken spearhead from his shoulder armor. Blood soaked the ground beneath his feet, gathering into scarlet streams that flowed through the lowlands and stretched into the distance.
"Father, you were too reckless. Your body hasn't fully recovered. Have you forgotten everything Dr. Folinic told you?"
Yelena's voice carried a trace of reproach as she stepped forward, lowering her tone while carefully bandaging Patriot's wounds.
The Shieldguards removed their helmets, smiling faintly at the sight. They remembered how, during the battles in northern Ursus, Yelena would scold him sternly whenever he was injured, yet always be the first to tend to him.
Oras led the Lightbearers back to base, while the Battle Angels began clearing the battlefield. Their scans soon revealed several soldiers feigning death in an attempt to escape. The Angels did not continue the slaughter like Flügel do. Instead, they bound the survivors' hands and escorted them to the Venus as prisoners of war.
Patriot no longer needed to prove himself. His past achievements, his figure on the battlefield, and the spirit of a one-man army had already won the respect of every operator and inspired them all.
Everyone wished to become someone as strong as Patriot.
By the time he returned to the Venus, most of his wounds had nearly healed. The Wendigo possessed extraordinary regenerative abilities; such superficial injuries were little more than a minor inconvenience. Felix personally welcomed them back, repeatedly pounding Patriot's arm as he said, "It is because people like Patriot bear the weight of this land that we are able to live in peace."
Patriot's red eyes flickered faintly before he turned and headed to the medical bay for further examination.
Felix praised the legion members, especially the Lightbearers, his first legion. Though their destructive force did not rival that of the reckless adventurers, they were his original force, and he naturally favored them. Any new equipment was tested by them first before wider deployment.
As for the Himmelswächter, including Asuna and Yukino, he regarded them as his daughters, and his favor toward them was absolute. He offered his praise without restraint.
Though they were creations, they possessed their own emotions, much like the shipgirls, and Nikki. They felt joy when praised and displayed subtle emotional shifts in response to the smallest details of daily life.
Felix was not cruel toward the prisoners of war. He had no intention of executing them. They were simply interrogated for information regarding Victoria, nothing more.
The first battle in Victoria ended in overwhelming success, a decisive victory. The Venus slowly entered Duke Fife's mobile city, raising the banner of Tomorrow's Development while conducting logistical resupply.
Several landships required repairs. War did not continue without pause. The players remained energetic, but the operators needed rest.
The players greatly admired Duke Fife's mobile city, and proposed turning it into another main city for Tomorrow's Development. The operators, however, disagreed. They were not formally at war with Victoria, and the animosity was not so deep as to justify seizing a mobile city outright. Moreover, even if they did, the residents might struggle to adapt to life in Kazdel. Combined with the trauma of displacement, it could easily spark unrest.
Such actions would also damage Their reputation.
As victors, they were entitled to their share of the spoils. Felix strictly forbade any intrusion upon the common citizens within the duchy. Instead, he dispatched operators to Duke Fife's mansion to request compensation in supplies.
Duke Fife had pledged loyalty to the Duke of Wellington, but with his territory lost, he now had little choice.
The operators sent to collect reparations did not mistreat Duke Fife's already frightened family. They calmly announced his defeat and formally demanded provisions and war compensation.
Even under such circumstances, Duke Fife agreed to Tomorrow's Development terms with admirable composure. As victors, Tomorrow's Development neither looted the estate nor took members of the duke's family hostage. Duke Fife understood that had any other duke defeated him and entered city, the outcome would likely have been far harsher.
With the Duke's cooperation, supplies were steadily transported from the ducal residence to the Venus and the various warships stationed outside the city.
The craftsmen and mechanics worked side by side, using materials from the supplies to repair damage across the various warships. As they completed their tasks, they honed their skills, earning rewards along the way. Knowing they were restoring their own warships drove the players to work with remarkable enthusiasm.
Tomorrow's Development operators entered Duke Fife's mobile city to reassure the citizens. The city no longer had a defense force, and even the noble army had withdrawn to protect Duke Fife, leaving the city effectively defenseless. Again and again, the operators emphasized that they had no intention of occupying the city or looting its people. The residents exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain whether to believe them.
At the same time, the operators used the opportunity to promote Tomorrow's Development, reciting their slogans in the streets and explaining what kind of organization they were.
___
"What's going on with Patriot?"
"Father… likes to show off." Yelena walked over and sat beside Felix. She glanced at him and noticed he was reading the battle damage report.
"This war will show the land of Terra that technology can transform warfare." Felix smiled at her. "Do you know how many members of our side, excluding the adventurers, died in this battle?"
"None?" Yelena laughed lightly.
"Correct." Felix's smile widened. "There were no fatalities. Many were wounded, but all were treated, and none will suffer permanent injury. In fact, the most serious case was the shieldguard who fought alongside your father. He broke two ribs and sustained internal injuries. He'll need some time to recover."
"This is modern warfare… and a war that could change the world of Terra," Felix said softly, gazing into the distance. "On this land, the only nations truly capable of waging such a war, with the necessary technological and industrial strength, are Columbia, Victoria, Leithanien, and Yan. And now, Kazdel has joined them."
"What about Kazimierz? I think Kazimierz's technology is quite advanced too," Yelena murmured, leaning gently against Felix's shoulder.
Felix nodded. "Kazimierz's technological level is respectable. Their ability to construct an all-purpose arena proves that. But their scientists have focused almost entirely on the arena knights. They design sleeker armor, sharper longswords, more dazzling equipment. All of it centers on enhancing individual combat."
"What about Ursus?"
"I don't know enough about Ursus to make a firm judgment." Felix frowned slightly. "From what I understand, Ursus is similar to Victoria. I can't speak with certainty about their technological level, but industrially, they are likely on par with Victoria."
He patted Yelena's head. "Come on. Let's go check on your father."
Yelena pouted. "You really do have a lot of fathers-in-law."
"..."
It was true.
___
The sewers of Londinium reeked of rust and damp earth. Stainless walked at the front, holding a modified lamp. When its beam swept across the slick brick walls, a swarm of rats scattered in alarm. At the sight of the group, they squealed and seemed ready to lunge.
Bang!
Baird flinched. Stainless, gripping a mechanical crossbow in his right hand, pulled the trigger. The bolt struck the ground and sparked, sending the rats fleeing in panic. They vanished within seconds.
"…Because every household in Londinium guards its food so tightly, the rats have grown far more aggressive," Stainless said grimly. "In a few days, they might even start attacking people."
"Even though the war hasn't officially begun, the residents of Londinium have already sensed that something is wrong. The Sarkaz have been far too active lately."
"It's only natural for them to feel afraid. We just hope they don't lose their minds." Vina sighed.
She carried her warhammer carefully, making sure it did not strike the steam valve atop the pipes overhead. Noise was one concern, but greater still was the fear that her sturdy weapon might puncture the valve and cause a disaster. Horn wore her usual Tempest Platoon standard equipment, the gear that always made her feel secure. However, her heavy weapon was unwieldy in the cramped sewers and had to be handled with caution. Baird walked between Vina and Horn. As the only one without combat ability, she was under strict protection. Her hat was pulled low as she occasionally glanced around with curiosity; she had never ventured into a place like this before.
The footsteps of the four overlapped, forming a steady drumbeat in the winding passage. Ahead, a breach blasted open by Originium explosives came into view. From beyond it drifted the hum of a diesel generator.
And the crackle of electrical noise on an encrypted communication channel.
A steel door stood ahead, resembling a sewer inspection chamber. Stainless stepped forward and pressed his finger against a protruding brick. A circular outline appeared on its surface as infrared light flickered to life and began scanning.
Vina recognized the procedure. The Venus used similar verification systems, especially during initial onboarding inspections, though she had rarely encountered them after becoming an operator.
The moment the steel door slid open, a damp, icy gust mixed with the steady hum of a diesel generator rushed outward. The four stepped inside, entering a stronghold of the Self-Salvation Corps.
Vina lifted her gaze. From the outside, this place had once been Victoria's underground grain storage facility. Surveillance cables hung from the fifty-meter dome overhead. The surrounding walls were plastered with hand-drawn maps of the city's interior, crisscrossed with red lines that she guessed marked the movements of the Military Commission.
More than a dozen members of the Self-Salvation Corps gathered around a cast-iron sand table set inside a nearby tent. Red triangular flags were planted across its surface.
"You're finally back." A black-haired Feline woman approached Stainless with her arms crossed, her expression displeased. "As captain of the Eleventh Squad of the Self-Salvation Corps, you chose to act alone again. Do you even consider your squad members?"
"Uh…"
Stainless rubbed his forehead in frustration. His true affiliation was with Tomorrow's Development, and he had more than enough strength to protect himself. He had told his teammates as much, though they knew nothing about Tomorrow's Development. They trusted his abilities regardless. Only the black-haired Feline before him, the vice-captain Rockrock, remained unconvinced. She believed his habit of acting alone was reckless, especially in critical moments when no one could serve as his backup.
When her eyes fell on the three women behind him, her gaze sharpened. "And who are they?"
"Oh… Baird is our informant." Stainless gestured toward her. "As for the person the leader wants to meet… where is she?"
"She isn't at this base right now, but she already knows about the guest you brought." Rockrock's tone was cool as she studied the three newcomers. "She's on her way."
Her expression remained guarded, though her attitude softened slightly. "My name is Rockrock. I'll take you somewhere to rest."
"Thank you," Vina replied with a small nod.
She then turned to Stainless. "This location…"
"I've already sent the coordinates to Mr. Hellagur. The leader is aware of my background, and she knows about Tomorrow's Developmentns." Stainless lowered his voice. "They believe we're trustworthy."
He motioned for them to follow Rockrock. "Go get some rest. I'll meet with Mr. Hellagur and the others."
Vina and the others nodded, watching as Stainless's figure quickly disappeared through the doorway.
"I'll notify you when the leader arrives," Rockrock said. She fell silent after that, leading the three to their resting area.
Under the circumstances, the makeshift tent was a reasonably comfortable shelter. They had just sat down when a notification suddenly appeared in Vina and Horn's vision.
"Tomorrow's Development has defeated Duke Fife and Duke Ashworth and occupied Duke Fife's territory."
A smile curved across Vina's lips. She clenched her fist quietly. They would have to move faster here as well.