06. THE FINAL MONTH

As the third month dawned, a tense calm settled over the land, marking the final stretch of peace before the storm of war. William couldn't help but understand the secessionists' motives; the Dawn Empire was at its weakest, ripe for the taking. If he were in their shoes, he might have done the same.

Yet, such musings held no relevance now. Survival was paramount. Failure meant not only his own demise but also, meant that he could not ever see his parents on Earth. 

His determination fueled his actions. With unwavering resolve, he fortified their defenses, bolstering the protection of Mechs and tightening border security. However, even amidst his preparations, William couldn't shake the gnawing realization that the greatest weakness of the Dawn Empire lay in its outdated fleets.

Though obsolete, these vessels were bound by the Treaty of the Ten Great Emperors, prohibiting their use against fellow human factions. To violate this decree was to court certain doom.

With the looming threat of Mech warfare on the planets, William focused his attention on the task at hand. He knew that Franklin posed a formidable challenge, one that none of his current Mech pilots could match. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of an old acquaintance within the Empire.

The Carlsons, a respected military faction with a storied history of loyalty, emerged as potential allies in the face of adversity. Led by the seasoned veteran Victor Carlson, they remained untainted by the corruption that plagued other factions.

Drawing upon the bonds of familial allegiance that had endured for generations, William reached out to Victor. Despite the passage of time, their shared heritage and mutual commitment to the Empire forged a connection that transcended the present crisis.

At least, William hoped so. 

As the third month drew to a close, William found himself embroiled in a whirlwind of alliances and betrayals, each move on the political chessboard fraught with peril. With the support of two major military factions secured and Kevin's innovation offering a glimmer of hope, William believed he had done all he could to prepare for the impending conflict.

Yet, amidst the chaos of war preparations, a different kind of battle raged within the heart of the Empire. The once-tenuous relationships between William and the nobles soured further, descending into a cesspool of corruption and depravity.

The four dukes, in particular, proved to be a thorn in William's side, their crimes and atrocities spreading like wildfire across the land. Despite his best efforts to rein them in, their influence only seemed to grow, fueled by the complacency of individuals like Guert, whose allegiance lay firmly with the highest bidder.

Caught between the demands of pragmatism and the cries of his conscience, William faced an agonizing dilemma. To confront the dukes and risk alienating his most powerful allies, or to turn a blind eye and focus solely on the task at hand.

In the end, the weight of responsibility and the harsh realities of politics forced William to make a difficult choice. Swallowing his morality and frustration, he resolved to prioritize the immediate threat before him, knowing that to falter now would spell doom for all he held dear.

With grim determination, William steeled himself for the challenges ahead, his resolve unyielding in the face of adversity. For in the crucible of war, there was no room for sentimentality or hesitation. Only victory or defeat awaited those who dared to tread the path of power and ambition.

That was reality.

The grim reality.

But ignoring these atrocities had a heavy strain on William's consciousness. Which was why William had confided in his younger sister. 

He was currently leaning on his sister's lap, which was forced upon him when his sister saw the dark circles and the gloomy atmosphere around William. 

He had finally some moments of respite and relaxation when he felt his soothing voice lulling him into sleep. 

His sister, Leila Von Dawn, was a girl who had been through too much. Her birth mother was someone who didn't love her at all. She had even snatched Leila's first fiancee, which left a truly deep scar in Leila's mind. 

If someone were to ask if Leila was a spoiled brat, then no one would say otherwise. But she was just a kid that didn't know how to handle her trauma. 

Hell, the body that William had possessed had memories of the original body fearing to have any intimate contact with his opposite sex because he had fear for his father. 

He was always afraid that his father could steal the woman he loved for the first time, so he banned himself from ever feeling that emotion. 

His father had been brutal with him. That was the reason why William always had a gloomy atmosphere around him, and the number of bruises and scars on his body when he washed himself was a testament to the abuse he had endured. 

Yeah, it was really bad. 

It was at times like these when he was thankful for his parents on Earth. 

William stood up from the lap and felt sadness engulf his heart. He shook off the feeling as he went out of his sister's room, and just as he was about to close the door, he paused. 

"Have a good journey, Leila" William smiled, and closed the door, while Leila remained, like she was struck with lighting, because she knew that his brother had caught the information of her fleeing with the help of her old patrons. 

Even she didn't believe that the Dawn Empire would survive the war. It would only be a memory with her forever. She had never thought that her brother would get the whiff of her plans. 

William wasn't in the mood to house arrest his only sister. He let her do whatever she wanted. 

As time continued its relentless march towards war, William worked tirelessly behind the scenes, orchestrating the final arrangements with meticulous precision. These preparations were shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few whom he trusted implicitly.

With a keen eye for detail, William ensured that only the most skilled military units, specializing in long-range combat, were privy to these clandestine meetings. Alongside them stood the brilliant minds of the research department, their expertise poised to unlock new strategies and technologies that could turn the tide of battle in their favor.

In the dimly lit chambers where secrets were whispered and plans took shape, William laid the groundwork for a daring defense. Each decision was weighed carefully, and every move was calculated to maximize their chances of success in the coming conflict.

As the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place, William knew that the time for action was drawing near. With resolve burning bright in his heart, he stood ready to lead his forces into battle, determined to defy the odds and emerge victorious against all odds.

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