Chapter 3: Saderan Affair pt 1

-M29.671. Falmart. Saderan Imperial Palace-

In the solitude of her luxurious bathroom, Pina contemplated her life's journey since meeting the leaders of the Imperium. Her mind was filled with heavy considerations about what lay ahead. Despite being blessed with power by Lord Malcador, the mental burden weighed heavily on her, sapping much of her psychic energy.

"Can I truly face it all with grace?" Pina murmured as she submerged her body in the warm bath. She felt a profound responsibility to lead Sadera through this monumental change, and doubts and worries always accompanied her.

In the quiet moments, Pina sought solace within her chaotic thoughts. She ruminated on her commitment and determination to lead Sadera towards a better future under the protection of the Imperium. Despite the numerous challenges ahead, she knew that with determination and the support of those closest to her, she could overcome anything.

As Pina contemplated these thoughts, she recalled the figure of the transhuman who never removed his helmet, always standing by her side through the various challenges she faced. Raias had been a steadfast pillar of support in matters of bureaucracy, economics, and diplomacy, often leaving her astonished by how effortlessly he handled the complex burdens that rested on his shoulders. Pina knew that transhumans possessed a level of intelligence that even the cleverest mortal humans could only dream of attaining. Yet, witnessing Raias's intellect at work never failed to amaze her.

Beyond all of this, Pina felt a flutter in her chest every time Raias extended his assistance. Perhaps, she thought, this was what humans referred to as love. Nevertheless, Pina strenuously attempted to bury these feelings deep within herself. Not because of any aversion but because she was, at her core, a mere mortal human, destined for a lifespan that might reach fifty years, while Raias had the potential to live for millennia.

"If only I were a transhuman too," Pina murmured, submerging her head beneath the water.

After successfully clearing her mind, Pina promptly got out of her bathtub, where the servants quickly covered the princess's body with a towel.

"Your Highness, Lord Raias has been waiting for you," one of the servants informed her.

Pina simply nodded and proceeded to exit the bathing chamber, entering her dressing room. With the assistance of the attendants, Pina swiftly changed into a white toga adorned with various accessories symbolizing her status as Sadera's princess. Upon opening the exit door, Pina spotted Rennias, who was also dressed in a toga. She couldn't help but notice the significant difference between her attire and Rennias's, with the latter incorporating the Gothic aesthetics of the Imperium. Raias had once spoken about the cultures present on Macragge, leaving Pina in awe of how ancient traditions had flourished within the Imperium. Nonetheless, Raias still wore his helmet, which now matched his outfit, reminding Pina of the knightly orders that Sadera had once conquered, the Templar Knights if she remembered correctly.

"It seems you're ready, Lady Pina," Raias remarked amiably.

"Yes," Pina nodded. "Now we can proceed to the Senate Chamber and explain our next plans to the senators."

"Indeed." And so, they began to walk. Their journey remained silent, with neither party eager to initiate conversation. However, after a while, Raias cleared his throat.

"Lady Pina," he called.

"Yes, what is it?"

Pina slowed her pace, turning slightly to face Raias.

"You already know, don't you? About the Japanese slaves scattered throughout Sadera," Raias stated bluntly, his gaze fixed directly on Pina.

Pina swallowed her bitter saliva. "I understand, Raias. I will negotiate with Japan to prevent further public outrage. Moreover, I've obtained the locations of all those slaves through the assassins. Now we just need to wait for the right moment," she replied.

Pina is now in her private bathroom, resting her head in her bathtub. Her mind is filled with thoughts related to Sadera's relationship with the Imperium. Although she has been blessed with the power of Lord Malcador, the mental burden Pina must bear is astronomical, consuming much of her mental energy.

"I wonder if I can handle this smoothly?" Pina murmurs, reminiscing about her life since she met the leaders in the Imperium.

When thinking about it, Pina remembers the figure of a transhuman who never removes his helmet and is always by her side during various difficulties. He assists Pina in matters of bureaucracy, economics, and diplomacy. It always surprises her how Raias can shoulder so many complex matters without flinching. Pina knows that even the smartest mortal humans can only dream of reaching the same level of intelligence as even the most foolish transhuman. But watching the intelligence of a transhuman at work always leaves her in awe.

Despite all this, Pina feels turmoil in her chest every time Raias helps her. Perhaps this is what is called love. Nevertheless, Pina tries hard to bury this feeling deep within herself. It's not because of the age difference. It's because Pina herself is only a mortal human who can live for maybe up to fifty years, while Raias can live for a millennium.

"If only I were a transhuman," Pina mutters, submerging her head in the water.

After successfully clearing her mind, Pina quickly gets out of her bathtub, where the servants immediately cover her with a towel.

"Miss, Lord Raias is waiting for you," one of the servants says to her.

Pina only nods and walks out to enter her dressing room. With the help of the servants, Pina quickly changes into a white toga adorned with several accessories that symbolize her as Sadera's princess. Once she opens the exit door, Pina sees Rennias dressed in a toga as well. Although she's aware of the significant differences in their togas, with Gothic aesthetics mixed in Raias' outfit due to the influence of the Imperium, it always amazes Pina how a long-dead culture can thrive in the Imperium. But Raias still wears his helmet, matching it with his attire, reminding Pina of the knightly orders that Sadera once conquered, possibly the Templar Knights.

"It seems you're ready, Lady Pina," Raias says amiably.

"Yes," Pina nods, "Now we can go to the Senate chamber and explain our next plans to the senators."

"Agreed." With that, they walk together. Their journey is eerily silent, with neither side eager to start a conversation.

As if time passed quickly, they now stand in front of the door leading to the Senate chamber. Pina takes a deep breath to calm her nerves. She opens the door, and as the mortal human and transhuman step into the room, they are met with sharp and apprehensive stares. Pina notices these gazes. Those staring intently, especially at Raias, are the supporters of Zorzal and his pro-war faction. Those looking at them with concern and fear are those who witnessed the demonstrations of power a few days ago.

Everything is going according to plan, considering how the senators have divided into various factions. Raias, unable to contain a chuckle, whispers a sentence that escapes his lips.

"Princess Pina Co Lada." The voice of Emperor Molt resonates throughout the room. He sits atop his throne, gazing at Pina, then shifting his gaze toward the transhuman.

"Father," Pina slightly bows, placing one hand on her chest. Raias, on the other hand, lowers his head slightly as a sign of respect.

"Very well, with you here, let us commence the meeting," Molt declares, raising his voice to ensure his authority reverberates throughout the room.

Pina takes her place at the center of the room, taking a deep breath to calm not only herself but also to demonstrate an ability she has learned from Lord Malcador.

"Esteemed Senators, you should have already heard about the two nations that have been depleting Sadera's military strength. These two nations are Japan and the Imperium."

Pina paused for a moment, looking towards the senators. "I have managed to initiate some dialogues with representatives from Japan. They intend to make peace with us, but with a condition of a 450 million Suwani payment as reparations."

"That's outrageous!" shouted one senator.

"Do they want to bankrupt us?! They're insane!" Another shout came from the opposite side.

"I know. They probably want to strike a deal where we can't afford to pay, so they can continue the war!" This time, a reasonable argument fueled the spirits of the pro-war senators.

"But if we decide to continue the war with them, we'll be the ones facing annihilation. Especially with the presence of the Imperium, where we know almost nothing about them except that no one has returned from our confrontations with them." This time, it was the voice of the pro-peace factions. They had all witnessed the incredible power of Japan and the Imperium. With that, Pina hoped to capture the attention of the pro-war factions.

"We can defeat them! Have you all forgotten the Arctic War? We lost many soldiers back then, but we managed to defeat the northern tribes!" shouted a senator who, judging by his age and physique, appeared to be a former general.

"Truly a bunch of fools," Raias muttered with a small chuckle, thankful that his comment didn't escape his helmet.

"Regardless of the historians who keep glorifying Sadera's military strength. We can't even confirm that the outcome of that war was a victory. So what makes you think we can confront Japan and the Empire recklessly like that?" A pro-peace senator spoke with a slightly grumbling tone in his voice.

"Are you doubting Sadera's strength, Senator Gavius?" sneered one of the senators next to him.

"No. I actually understand Sadera's strength very well. If we continue this war and even manage to push back Japan, we'll exhaust ourselves and be crushed by the Imperium." He replied with sharp, narrowed eyes.

"Senator Gavius, your conviction in your statement is admirable. I am certain you have compelling reasons," Emperor Molt's resonant voice broke the silence, seizing the undivided attention of the assembly.

Gavius exchanged a brief, meaningful glance with Pina, who, though avoiding his gaze, subtly clenched her fists, conveying her approval.

"The answer, Your Majesty, resides in the evidence I possess," Gavius replied with unwavering resolve, his piercing eyes sweeping across the room, commanding the rapt focus of his peers.

"What evidence, Senator Gavius?" Emperor Molt's measured tone created a momentary pause, his penetrating gaze fixed on the senator.

"The evidence, Your Majesty, is with me," Pina declared with firm determination, taking a purposeful step forward. Her resolute stare remained locked onto her father, Emperor Molt, who now regarded her with a calculated curiosity.

"What proof do you have, Pina?" Despite knowing the facts, Molt chose to question her directly.

Pina occasionally glanced towards the pro-war senators, who seemed to be gradually realizing the impending truth.

"It's time to prove it to them, Milady. Utilize everything you've learned and assert your authority as a princess, just as you did with your father," Raias's voice resonated in Pina's mind through the telepathic link of UR-982. His voice, originating from the realm of transhumanism, penetrated deep into Pina's soul. Thanks to this, a spark ignited in Pina's heart, urging her to unleash all her abilities.

"As you've heard, the rumors are indeed true. I, Pina Co Lada, embarked on a journey to the two nations beyond each Gate. What I witnessed there surpassed even my wildest imaginings. In Japan, I beheld towering glass structures and iron-clad vehicles capable of lightning-quick transportation. Their government exudes an aura of peace, and even their military pledges to serve solely as a defensive force, refraining from venturing beyond their borders unless provoked." Pina paused briefly, studying the pro-war senators who regarded her with deep skepticism.

"This fact was substantiated by Japan's return of thousands of prisoners of war to us, all in good condition—a feat inconceivable within Falmart. They are a peaceful nation, well beyond our reach, esteemed senators." Pina began to tap into her psychic charisma, sending waves of energy that gradually influenced the mindset of those around her, reshaping their perceptions in line with her narrative. While these alterations were primarily emotional and could be broken if the affected individuals possessed strong willpower, the changes to the aura surrounding Pina were undeniable.

All the senators gazed at the red-haired princess with wide eyes. They couldn't put into words what they were experiencing. The aura emanating from the princess undeniably mirrored that of a true leader. Some senators found it hard to trust their senses because, to their knowledge, Princess Pina had not exhibited much charisma during past senate meetings. However, now, their perceptions underwent a profound transformation.

"But the same cannot be said for the Imperium," Pina asserted with a sharp yet steady tone.

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?" one senator inquired cautiously.

"The Imperium of Man desires no peace. They won't stop until they have full control over Falmart and the entire continent beyond the ocean until this entire world falls into their hands," Pina declared firmly, showing no crack in her emotions.

"Control the entire world?! That's impossible! Don't spout nonsense, Your Highness!" yelled a pro-war senator to Pina's left.

Other senators began to voice similar sentiments, shouting in disbelief and scorn. But Pina remained calm, looking at each senator one by one with unwavering composure.

"Control the world?" Molt inquired with curiosity.

"It's part of their policy. They are an expansionist nation. But unlike us, their expansion aims to uplift humanity. If Japan is a peaceful and prosperous country with its glass structures, then the Imperium is a nation striving, through its might, to bring and gather humanity under its rule. If Japan is a country filled with glass buildings, then the Imperium is a country dominated by towering steel and golden structures. It may sound implausible, but the Imperium of Man is a realm with millions of worlds under its dominion."

The senators fell into silence. Some remained skeptical, others pondered the matter seriously, and a few dismissed it as mere jest. But before they could respond, Pina signaled to Raias.

Raias took a step forward, surprising everyone present. Rumors about Raias being Princess Pina's protector had sparked heated debates among Sadera's upper echelons. Yet, none dared to delve further, as those who had tried either returned with their memories clouded or vanished entirely without a trace.

"Greetings, esteemed senators of Sadera. I am Lieutenant Raias Seloce, leader of the 5th Recon Team. I stand before you as a representative of the Imperium and as the protector of Princess Pina Co Lada, bearing the title of Primum Praesidium. Thus, the princess is graced with direct protection from the High Lords of Terra. Primum Praesidium serves as a direct speaker, a voice entrusted by the High Lords to Lady Pina for communication with the people of Falmart. Every word spoken through this office carries the highest level of integrity," Raias's voice resonated like thunder, filling the room and causing everyone to tremble, some even growing pale.

Molt himself was startled by the presence emanating from the Solar Guardian. There was an indefinable quality that made the figure before him seem profoundly distant, as if truly set apart from humanity. The sensation he experienced now evoked memories of a Solar Guardian who had rendered his guards unconscious when Pina had returned from the Imperium and Japan.

"Princess Pina, have you allied with the enemy?! This is treachery!" One of the senators shouted, his voice quivering with frustration. It was evident that he was struggling mightily to overcome the transhuman dread that Raias emanated.

"I dare say I am no traitor, Senator," Pina retorted, her tone icy and sharp. "I am here to bring prosperity to all of Sadera and the people of Falmart."

"Could you please explain, Pina?" Molt, having just shaken off the effects of the transhuman dread, asked in a hushed tone.

Pina nodded resolutely and cast her gaze across the room, taking in the array of expressions that now adorned the faces of the senators. "The Imperium of Man, Your Majesty, is a dominion that stretches across countless worlds. Their wealth transcends the boundaries of our imagination. When I beheld structures that soared like mountains, adorned with gold and gleaming steel, and even an island-sized fortress dwarfing entire nations, I naively believed that I had glimpsed the extent of their opulence. But I was gravely mistaken. What I witnessed was merely a fraction of the grandeur that graces the Imperial Palace."

"W-What are you implying, Princess?" The query echoed once more through the room.

"Everything I have depicted to you is but a minuscule fragment within the sprawling expanse of the Imperial Palace, the heart of the Imperium of Man," Pina articulated, her psychic aura enveloping the room once more. "This palace, the abode of His Majesty, the Emperor of Mankind, spans the size of our entire Falmart, and every nook and cranny of its vast expanse is adorned with riches that defy imagination—a panorama of gold and inexhaustible splendor."

The senators, along with Molt, were left reeling from the sheer audacity and magnitude of the title "Emperor of Mankinenators, along with Molt, were left reeling from the sheer audacity and magnitude of the title "Emperor of Mankind." The words hung heavy in the air, a testament to the staggering reach of the Imperium's dominion.

But as if Pina could read their thoughts, she walked closer to her father's throne. "I understand what you and the senators are thinking. The title 'Emperor of Mankind' may seem arrogant and unwarranted. But believe me, Father, Your Majesty, the Emperor of Mankind is truly deserving of that title. His Majesty is a benevolent leader. He offers wealth and power beyond our wildest imagination. The Imperium will protect us and elevate Sadera to the pinnacle of civilization in Falmart. Just look around us; Sadera is in a state of stagnation, and even our naval fleet can easily be obliterated by neighboring nations."

Pina's words resonated in the hall, and her psychic presence continued to shape the emotions and perceptions of those around her. It was a delicate balance of truth and persuasion, an attempt to convince her father and the senators of the necessity of aligning with the Imperium.

"I implore you, esteemed senators, let us unite in our desire to build a better Sadera," Pina spoke with a smile that could touch the heart of every listener.

For a moment, the senators remained silent. They looked around, waiting for responses from their peers. Some senators began to rise, raising their hands as a sign of approval.

As things seemed to progress smoothly, Raias's telepathic voice startled Pina. "We have a visitor."

"Who?" Pina inquired.

"Zorzal." That's when Pina suppressed a groan, struggling to contain her frustration upon hearing Zorzal's name.

Then the door swung open with force, revealing Prince Zorzal with his wide grin. "I heard that my little sister is attempting to negotiate peace with our enemies."

Pina clenched her jaw, suppressing a sigh to keep it from being too audible. On the other hand, Raias merely grinned beneath his helm.

"Prince Zorzal," exclaimed one of the senators from the pro-war faction.

Zorzal smirked, glancing at his sister with disdain and then toward Raias with disgust. "Are we surrendering and selling our empire to him? What happened to our Saderan pride? Wealth?! So you are all willing to sell this nation for the sake of gold and gems, letting our long history crumble? Since when did Sadera become this weak? I know some of you are true Saderans, so open your eyes!"

Zorzal's speech, which had gained popularity among the warmongering senators, successfully captivated their attention.

"Well... I suppose this will be interesting," Raias mumbled from within his helmet.