Meeting with the Tribal leaders

16—09—1560 WC

A convoy of vehicles, kicking up dust clouds in their way, rumbled along the dirt road, their destination: Alpha Base, the Eastern Division's main base.

The imposing gate swung open with a mechanical groan, yielding to the incoming vehicles. As they rolled through, the soldiers on guard snapped attention, they saluted.

The vehicles ground to a halt before the imposing headquarters building, a seven-story building. Here is Major General Petrov, Commander of the Eastern Division, and his other officers stood.

Many people dressed in black get out of the vehicles, they form a cordon around a sedan. The door opened, and Emperor Alberto stepped out.

Major General Petrov, his hand snapping to a salute, uttered a formal greeting, "Your Majesty, we are honored by your presence." His voice, while respectful, held a hint of steel. Behind him, the other officers, followed suit.

Major General Petrov and other commanders saluted and greeted Alberto.

"Major General Petrov," the Emperor's voice was low, a hint of concern lacing his words, "I heard that Colonel Hans was injured in the battle."

"Yes, Your Highness. He has several broken bones. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The doctors have advised him to rest."

"Hmmm...Very well," Alberto murmured, his gaze hardening slightly. "And where are the leaders of the tribes?"

"They are currently waiting in the conference room, Your Highness."

"Okay, let's go then."

"Please follow me, Your Highness," Petrov gestured with a slight bow of his head, leading the way towards the headquarters building.

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Alberto lost in his thoughts

I am now thinking how I will talk and negotiate with the tribal leaders. I told them to negotiate amicably and peacefully and try to bring them under us. But they almost destroyed a village of the tribesmen, and killed more than five hundred people. Among them were two tribal leaders. It's so frustrating! I should have paid more attention to this. it's my fault . I should not have left everything to my military commanders. If I had handled this matter properly, the situation might not have been like this.

I will have to be more careful in the future. So that such incidents do not happen again in the future.

They entered a room. Four people were already present inside.

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Masu's mind flickered back to that terrible day, the day his world shattered. Two thousand warriors, their faces fierce and determined, had gathered, ready to fight the Empire. Confidence, a shared belief in their strength, had flowed through their ranks. Other chieftain, including Masu, were confident that they could mount a strong resistance against the Empire.

Masu looked confidently at their army until he saw the metallic birds of the empire flying in the sky.

These metallic birds pounce on them from the sky. Due to their attack, the ground shook, fire spread and Chaos all around.

Warriors, brave and valiant, were caught in the maelstrom. Many fell, their lives extinguished in the blink of an eye. Masu watched in horror, his heart pounding in his chest.

But in the midst of this chaos he finds Timba and Astra, who still go forward to fight with their remaining warriors.

Although Masu also wanted to fight, he didn't dare, demoralized by the devastation before him.

He saw the imperial soldiers approaching with iron beasts. who were roaring.The warriors were helpless against them.

Masu did not want to lose his people. So he decided to surrender.

Imperial soldiers brought them here after capturing them.

Masu was amazed by their furniture and architecture. Which were very luxurious. But they had no time for luxury here. As they were in very difficult situation.

His mind raced, trying to anticipate what the Empire would do with them now.

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Alberto takes his seat.

He saw the tribesmen who were nervous and scared.

"I am Emperor Alberto. Emperor of the Bramble Empire. " Alberto introduced himself with a smile.

"Um... I'm Masu. The chieftain of Tara village."

"I am Nanao. The chieftain of Nana village."

"My name is Mori. Chief of Mokoro Village."

"My name is Krulos. Chief of Omo valley village."

They introduce themselves.

"Ah!" Alberto said, his tone is sincere. "I am very glad to meet you. Also, I apologize to you. Many of your men have died at our hands. I apologize for that." He leaned forward, his gaze meeting their eyes, his expression conveying genuine regret.

However, the tribesmen were furious about this. But they did not dare to reveal it. Because if they do that then maybe they will be killed too.

They were nervous about this and could only look at each other.

Alberto noticed this. He feels awkward.

"Hm... let's get to the point. "

Alberto, sensed their unease. He felt a pang of awkwardness himself, a stark reminder of the devastation his forces had wrought. "Hm... let's get to the point."

He glanced at Carl.

Carl gives them a file.

"Please leave your fingertips here," Carl instructed, gesturing towards a small device on the table.

"What is it?" Masu asked.

"After signing here, you will officially become our citizens and enjoy all the benefits of our citizens," Alberto explained, his smile remaining steady. "So, please sign here, your fingertip."

One by one, pressed their fingertips onto the device

"Congratulations! You are now officially our citizen"

Krulos, a flicker of hope in his eyes, stepped forward. "Will you release my daughter now?"

Daughter?

Alberto's gaze shifted to Petrov, a silent question in his eyes.

"Your Highness, we told you that our information was leaked, and after we investigated the matter, we found out that it was his daughter who did it. She used invisibility magic to enter our camp and gather information. We have her in custody for now."

I was in the report about this. Hm...so they did it and I was worried that the system might have had an error. However, we need to do something about this quickly.

It's good that the tribesmen were so much weaker than us, so they couldn't do anything against us even after they found out about our attack plan.

But if in the future we face an enemy who is much stronger, and things like this happen. Then it can cause a lot of disaster for us.

This battle made me aware of many weaknesses in my forces.

which needs to be resolved quickly.

"Chieftain Krulos," Alberto said, his voice calm and reassuring, "Don't worry. We will send your daughter to you soon. But she, and all mages like her, will work under our Magic Department." He paused, allowing the words to sink in. The implication was clear: his daughter would be monitored, her magic controlled.

"...."

Alberto then stood up from his seat. But before he leaves, he looks back at the tribe leaders. As if he forgot to say something.

"So do you know anything about the world outside this island?"

The tribesmen exchange bewildered glances. The world beyond their island was a realm of myth and legend for them

"Ah, um... we've never been off the island," one of the leaders said, his voice trembling slightly. "The sea is full of terrible monsters... Also there is that terrible sea monster ruler."

"Sea Monster Ruler?!"

"Um... Although we have never seen it directly, we have heard about it from our ancestors. They say its scales are like polished obsidian, and its eyes burn like molten gold. It is a huge sea monster, like a big mountain . It's scarier than you can imagine. It is capable of storming the sea with its gesture. Even other sea monsters fear it. "

Alberto could see the look of fear on the faces of the tribe leaders as they talked about the sea monster ruler.

"Huh! Interesting. I want to see how my navy can beat it." Alberto said.

"Umm... excuse me. Although you may be too strong against us, the sea monster ruler is too strong. It is foolish to fight against him in the sea which is his territory."

Tribal leaders expressed concern. They thought Alberto was crazy for wanting to go against the sea monster ruler.

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I made a map of the Island, check the comment 👍