Priority: Diplomacy

--Main keep, Italica--

Pina is standing in the main hall looking out of a grand window she can see almost the entire city. The flying beasts flying in and out of the city, some smaller ones patrolling. They are faster and more agile than even the most well-trained wyvern, her mind is trying to figure out how these metal 'things' that the UNE call gunships and dropships work. Why are they called "ship" anyway, they're obviously flying in the air.

She looks up and sees this massive flying fortress almost as big as Italica itself. Did they build this flying fortress? Did the gods give it to them? How many do they have? What is it made of and how does it work? These are the questions keeping appearing in Pina's head without any answer.

"What am I going to do?" Pina says.

"Huh?" Myui asks.

Myui Formal is the 3rd child of Count Formal. Her 2 sisters were married to the sons of other noble families and went with their husbands. With the fate of Count Formal unknown and the 2 sisters away, Myui despite her very young age of 16 have to take the responsibility of a city's governor according to the tradition and law.

"I'm helpless against them, there is nothing I can do. I can't protect you" Pina rambles, speaking fast and a little panic "They have…those…things made of metal and…and they just flew over the wall and killed every bandit just like that. They don't even use the gate, they just fly over it and drop of soldiers, then there's…that thing! What is it even?" Pina points at the Bastion.

"But the city is safe now" Myui replies.

"Is it? Young lady" Pina says, she looks out the window again and continues "is it?".

"They are not killing or robbing us, that's a good sign" Myui says.

"They are probably trying to gain support from the peasants, but I am royalty and you are a noblewoman, my knights. We're gonna be their slaves, maybe gifts to their generals and noble houses" Pina is desperated of the situation.

"You are royalty, your Highness, maybe they'll make you a wife of royalty of theirs. Maybe it won't be so bad Princess" Hamilton says.

"Maybe, but we are so below them. They might just put me with the lowly whores" Pina says.

"I can't believe it is over. Our first quest, our first battle and we lost" Hamilton's tears start dropping.

Myui walks to the window and stands next to Pina. She looks down to the keep's square and see UNE soldiers are treating wounded civilians, knights and legionaries alike. Further away, rubbles and ruins are being cleared by small flying creatures with more UNE soldiers. The people seem to appreciate these strangers.

"They seem friendly, maybe they're not that bad" Myui says.

"Anyway, we wanted to go to war and this is the reality of war. We have lost and we must accept our fate" Pina says taking a deep breath.

The basics of war in Falmart is the victor takes all and the conquered have no other choice to submit. The Empire has been conquering lands for hundreds of years, men were taken to work in the mines or become household slaves if they are lucky. The women become slaves of the legionaries and generals, noblewomen were brought back to Sadera and were gifted to highly decorated generals, noblemen to be used as they please. The most unlucky ones, however, are picked by Prince Zoral.

Zoral is the first son of the Emperor and the one responsible for the destruction of the Bunny Kingdom. He led a campaign to conquer the land and hunted the Bunny people to almost extinction.

As she is thinking of the things that may happen to her and her knights, a bunny maid named Mamina enters the hall.

"Your Highness, my lady, Knight Grey and the other worlders are here" Mamina says as she holds the door open.

Pina and Hamilton take their place next to the seat of Muyi. To Pina surprise, Mamina seem calm. Grey enters the room first, following him is Commander Ava and another man in similar armor but has a different icon on his left arm. She assumes he is Ava's superior. There are 2 other UNE soldiers with them that stand guard outside of the room.

"Fear not your Highness, I will be by your side no matter what happen" Hamilton says.

"Thank you my most trusted friend and servant. It has been an honor knowing you" Pina replies.

Being an Imperial Princess, Pina is the highest-ranking person that represents the Empire in Italica at this moment. Therefore, she must be the one who negotiates terms with the other worlders. With little pride she has left, Pina stands straight and proud waiting for others to come closer.

"General, this is Princess Pina Co Lada, noblewoman Hamilton Uno Ror and Countess of Italica Muyi Formal. This is General Adam Nguyen, he is in command of all UNE forces on this…erm…world" Ava starts the conversation.

"It's an honor to meet you, my ladies" General Nguyen slightly bow.

Being surprised by the manner of the General, Pina takes a good look at him. He seems to be older than Commander Ava, but not by much. Although she is not sure if the Commander is a noblewoman or not, she is pretty sure that this General is an upper-class nobleman.

"It is an honor to meet you too, General" Pina also bows to him.

"Now, let get to the matter at hand. Since you are still our enemy and I'm authorized to initiate diplomacy on the United Nations of Earth's behave. I formally request your forces to surrender to avoid further bloodshed" General Nguyen gives an envelope to Mamina to bring it to Hamilton so she can read it aloud and continues "here are our temporary terms until a more official meeting can be conducted".

Opening the envelope and taking out the piece of paper, Hamilton face shows a little confusion.

"What? Read it Hamilton" Pina looks at her friend and tell her to read

"One, free trade between Alnus, UNE and Italica, duty-free. Security for the traders must be guaranteed by both the UNE and Italica.

Two, the UNE is allowed to establish a military outpost and airfield outside of Italica's wall. In exchange, the UNE will provide protection for the city.

Three, all Imperial soldiers and knights including the officers are to surrender their arms and to be taken prisoners by the UNE military. They will be treated with dignity and will not be harmed if they prove their cooperation.

Four, all Italica government officials are allowed to retain their position. Local laws are to be modified according to the UNE's standards.

Five, all captured bandits are to be treated humanely and to be used as labor to rebuild the city.

…" Hamilton reads.

"What is this?" Pina snatch the document from Hamilton's hands and read it herself.

Pina cannot believe that these terms are real, they are too good. They don't want tribute or slaves or even a full takeover of Italica.

"Is this a joke to you?" Pina is angry.

"What is? Your Highness?" General Nguyen asks staying calm, he kind of guessed what the Princess means.

"These terms" Pina holds the terms out and continues "they're too good to be true! There must be something hidden. Speak! What is it?".

"No hidden agenda, your Highness. Those terms are genuine, do you have any counteroffer?" General Nguyen replies.

"You're...actually yes" Pina takes a deep breath "Let my knights go, let me speak to your leader. Let me negotiate peace between our great nations and I will return to the capital and do everything in my power to force them to make peace with you".

"Done" General Nguyen quickly replies seeing that the Princess is giving him exactly what he wants.

"That's it? That easy?" Hamilton shocked.

"Well, I'll have to put in a request for you to meet with our President, but it is most likely that you will get to speak to him" General Nguyen shrugs.

"Thank you, General" Pina says and bows.

Tears drop from her eyes, tears of hope for her people. She must not fail this quest or it would spell doom for the Empire.

"Now you are invited to…" General Nguyen is saying but cut by the radio from a marine.

"General, our drone spots a large formation of the enemy on foot. They are flying the same flag as the Princess's knights" the marine reports.

"Well, it seems like the rest of your Order is here. You need to tell them to stand down if you wish them no harm, your Highness" General Nguyen says.

"Right, of course" Pina rushes out of the room fearing that if she's late, her Rose Order would be slaughtered.

--Outside of Italica--

The rest of the 10 thousand foot knights arrive at Italica and is formed into battle formation.

"These strange metal beasts and horseless wagons, these must be the other worlders. They have taken the city!" Bozes says.

"Princess Pina is in there, by the gods. If they did anything to her…we must save her!" Panache worries.

"Charge!" Bozes point her sword and give the order to charge.

The knights charge at full speed towards the battle line of the UNE soldiers, each of them determined to save their leader or die trying. Suddenly, a loud voice echo through the area makes them halt their charge.

"Stop!" Pina says in a microphone.

"Is that…" Bozes surprise.

"Princess Pina?" Panache is as confused as her fellow knights.

"By the gods, please, stop. I am Princess Pina Co Lada, your leader" Pina says "We have negotiated a peace term with these people, please put away your weapons".

While the knights are confused not knowing what to do, a floating horseless wagon approaches them and stops not far in front of them. Coming out from inside are Pina, Hamilton, Grey and Norma. The sigh is a huge relief for them as they now know that their leader and friends are safe and fine. However, they still don't understand what is happening.

Pina convinces her knights to stand down and march peacefully into the city. She then explains everything to Bozes and Panache. Although they detested Pina's decision at first but they have to follow orders and are also convinced by the others that were there and have seen what happened.

"Princess Pina, to continue what I was saying before we got interrupted" General Nguyen walks over with his escort and speaks "You are invited to come to Fort Alnus while waiting for the approval to travel to our nation, you can take 2 of your knights with you if you wish".

"Thank you, General" Pina politely thank General Nguyen and turns to her knights "Hamilton and Grey, you're coming with me".

"Very well, please talk to Commander Ava over there, she will inform you the time of departure and then you can go pack your belongings" General Nguyen says then walks away.

--Tentorus field, Elbe Kingdom border with Mudwan Kingdom--

The campaign against Elbe is led by General Lucius Antonius. He is a brilliant General who brought countless victories to the Empire. His plan is to quickly bring down Elbe Kingdom by capturing or killing King Duran because the Empire at its current state cannot sustain a prolonged campaign.

To archive this, General Lucius ordered Mudwanian Generals to intercept reinforcement from the Alguna Kingdom while he marches to meet King Duran in battle.

The 2 armies meet at the Tentorus field and make camp to prepare for battle. King Duran's army number total of 60 thousand infantry consists of mostly light infantry and noble knights who are skilled warriors but lack real combat experience and 5000 cavalries of noblemen. General Lucius' 3 legions number total of 30 thousand heavy infantry and only 1000 cavalry, despite being outnumbered, the legions are veterans of the countless campaigns and much better equipped than their enemy.

Each day, Lucius would march his army out of his camp to the base of Duran's hill offering battle. Duran each time marches his army out of the camp but refuses to leave the high ground. It is clear that Duran does not want to engage the Empire's legions on equal ground and is only willing to commit to minor skirmishes.

While this is going on, Lucius mounts his auxiliaries and trains them in basic horsemanship bringing the total of his cavalry up to 2000. It is still much less than Duran's cavalry but at least enough to stall them longer. It has been days and Lucius has eventually decided that If Duran is not willing to fight, he will move his army making camp every day along Elbe's border. This will force Duran to shadow him with his less disciplined army and wear them out.

On the morning that Lucius is going to put his plan into play, Duran under the pressure of his nobles, who worry that Lucius will slip away, marches his army down to the plain and offer to battle. Lucius took this as a great sign and prepare his army to battle on even terrain.

Duran knows his key advantages are his number and cavalry. His infantry was formed into the classic battle line but 10 men deep with heavy infantry in the center and light infantry on the flanks. On his left flank are the more experienced troops and 5000 thousand of his heavy cavalry supported by skirmishers. A further 2000 infantry is staying in the camp as a reserve. The river on the right will protect him from being flanked from that side.

His plan is for his infantry to hold the line while his cavalry flank left and overwhelm the enemy's inferior cavalry before falling onto Lucius' legions from behind. A classic hammer and anvil tactic.

Lucius draws his army in triplex acies formation. Lucius' personal legion and some of his best troops are stationed on the right flank facing Duran. Each line is 6 men deep and there are 3 lines. The third line of the formation is under strict order to not engage until he gives signal. His cavalry is facing Duran's cavalry but hopelessly outnumbered. Lucius is aware that his cavalry will not be able to stall the enemy's cavalry for long so he pulled 1000 men from each legion, arming them with spears and forming them into the 4th line.

Lucius orders his front two lines to charge first expecting Duran's troops to return charge. However, Duran's army stand its ground with shield locked and ready to receive the charge. In a brilliant display of discipline, Lucius men spontaneously halt mid-charge and reassemble. After a brief pause to regain their strength, they begin marching slowly forward and only break into a charge again once they are close to Duran's line.

Javelin and pilum were thrown from both sides and ensued a brutal clash in melee. Duran now puts his plan into action, signal his cavalry commander to charge Lucius right flank. The heavy Elbean cavalry force smashes onto Lucius' cavalry and quickly routes them. However, while the cavalry fight is going on, Lucius orders his 4th line of spear-armed infantry to move around and face Duran's cavalry.

Duran's cavalry is setting to charge Lucius legions in the rear but with Lucius cavalry acting as a screen, they haven't seen Lucius 4th line was moving into position. Now the Elbean calvary found themselves attacked by 3000 heavily armored spearmen. While numerous, Duran's calvary are all young noble with little experience of warfare. Therefore, fighting veteran spearmen head-on is not something they're cut out for and quickly routed.

What was left of Lucius' cavalry returned and cut down the skirmishers that were supporting Duran's cavalry. Lucius 4th line then pushes on, as they push, Duran's forces are now being flanked. It is at this moment that Lucius orders his 3rd line to charge in, sending every man into the frontline.

Under the huge pressure and attacked in multiple fronts, Duran's army begin to break. With no other choice, Duran retreats back to the camp. Lucius order his men to pursue, the 3rd fresh line charges forward becoming the front line and storming the camp and easily overwhelm the few thousand men who retreated without running away and the reserve. The day is won for Lucius.

Duran managed to escape with a few hundred men but was caught up and is surrounded on a small hill. Just as Lucius orders his men to advance, multiple blue explosions completely annihilate almost all of his forces then 2 metal birds fly by with incredible speed. Shortly after, more flying beasts come out of nowhere they spit fire and explosions that kill the rest of the Empire's army. Before Lucius could figure out what happen, a SWARM hit him and disintegrate him.

The UNE has been monitoring the borders of Elbe and Alguna. As soon as the Battle of Tentorus began, a rapid reaction force was sent to help Duran.

"So they do honor the alliance" King Duran says as a D-20 is landing in front of him.

A UNE soldier seems like high-ranking steps out of the plane and approaches King Duran.

"Greeting, your Majesty, are you alright?" the UNE soldier asks.

"Some bruises and cuts but this old man will live, my kingdom owes you this time, other worlder" King Duran says.

"Glad to hear you're ok, you are invited to go to our capital to talk to the President as well as the Foreign Relation Committee. We will take you and your men back to your capital then you can pack whatever you need for the trip, but no weapon. Please come with me" the UNE soldier says then lead King Duran onto the D-20.

As they take off, King Duran can see the other D-20s are landing for his men to load up. Medics are busy treating the wounded before loading them up to the transports with the red cross.

--Landing pad, Fort Alnus--

Pina and Ava are looking at the landing D-20. The door opens and King Duran steps out from it.

"Your Highness, I see you are also invited to visit their world" King Duran bows then turn to Ava "Commander Ava, it is an honor to meet you again".

"The honor is mine, your Majesty" Ava replies with a slight bow.

"Indeed, me and 2 of my knights will talk to their leader trying to obtain a peace agreement. Commander Ava and her men will be our escort on this trip" Pina says.

"So you and your unit will be with us?" King Duran asks.

"Not the whole unit, just me and 3 others" Ava says "We'll be your tour guide".

That last part confuses both Pina and Duran which amuse Ava a little.

"Now would you follow me. I will take you to your quarter and in the morning we will begin our trip" Ava pause for a while and then continues "But not through the gate in case you're wondering".

"Then how are we going to travel to your world?" Pina confused.

"You will see" Ava says then begin walking away.

King Duran looks at Pina and shrugs his shoulder also not understanding what Ava meant. They decided to follow Ava and as she said, they will find out later.

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Author note: Thank you everyone for your continued support. You guys are the best!