Chapter 50 — Thornspire Empire

A couple of navigators stood around a rough printed map. It was pieced together with records found as well as the latest surveillance of modern drones. It was crude, with only major locations marked, but it was better than nothing. In this age, maps were a strategic resource, their dissemination a prohibited act. Towns and cities maps were localised, only showing a short distance around them, and the merging of maps was a crime. Any full map was banned by their host country.

A navigator looked at a clock and moved a figurine of a Frigate on the map slightly forward. It was placed right on a red line that cut the map in half.

[According to this map, and assuming we have been moving at a constant speed, we have now entered the territory of the Thornspire Empire]

Indeed, the Frigate had entered the territory of the Thornspire Empire. Looking down, traces of civilisation could be found, and despite it still being a forest, towns and villages could be seen in the midst of the trees. Many Beastmen lived in the forest. They were accustomed to it.

They blended flawlessly into the landscape, simple and crude, buildings made from materials sourced from the natural environment, without roads or mass deforestation.

As the marines on board looked down, they couldn't help but imagine what fighting in there would look like. Sure, guns were uncontested in the open, but what about in the dense forest? After all, beastmen had superior strength and trained their agility and fighting abilities their whole lives in the dense forests. Some veterans shuddered as they were reminded of painful memories.

[If this is where we're going to be fighting…]

[Hell no! I'd rather burn this forest to the ground! Flatten it, then see how well they'll do against my gun!]

[Hey now, you know that won't work. They've already thought of that, of course they've come up with countermeasures to protect their biggest weakness]

[Just blast them from the sky! What protection, nothing can stop this 10-inch gun!]

As the day reached midday, countless cooking fires emerged from the forest below. Now, the land they passed over was much more clear, full of rolling farmland and denser buildings. As the forest started to clear up, countless beastmen, like ants, could be seen scurrying around on the land.

Soon, signal fires were lit one after another. It wasn't a surprise; Beastmen were notoriously devoted, and the frigate was not subtle in the slightest sense. There were many Beastmen who flew for their whole lives, unlike humans who rarely gazed into the sky.

And the response was just as fast. A patrol of Beastmen immediately flew over and approached the ship. The ship was fully combat-ready, loaded with shells and covered with soldiers.

[Keep your eyes open for any approaching targets! No matter what, do not engage! I repeat, do not engage!]

A soldier with binoculars saw something in his view and focused on it.

[I see something at 10 o'clock! They're getting closer, it's a group of them!]

A group of a dozen Beastmen gradually came into view. They rode wyverns wearing armour, providing excellent protection yet allowing for the free movement of their wings. The Beastmen riding them wore an assortment of armour, with an equal assortment of races.

As the wyvern riders approached, the tension on the frigate noticeably escalated. The crew, on edge, scanned the group carefully, noting their formation and demeanour. The wyverns circled the frigate, their riders assessing the situation with cautious eyes.

[They seem to be just observing for now]

After a tense moment, speakers on board the ship quickly crackled to life as the Ambassador's voice boomed out loud.

[This is Plenipotentiary Heinrich of the Third Reich on a diplomatic mission. We seek an audience with the Thornspire Empire]

The wyvern knights kept circling the ship, watching it. After some time, the leader of the group broke away and flew closer to the frigate. Marines on board cleared a space on board as he landed on the deck of the ship.

The ferocious beast snarling on the deck set off the primal survival instincts of the onboard crew. They broke out into a cold sweat and clenched their guns, ready to raise them if given the order.

The wyvern knight was oblivious to the danger he was in and wasted no time with formalities as he jumped down.

[The Third Reich you say? I haven't heard about your country]

He squinted his eyes, trying to recognise anything he could see on board.

[What are you doing across the border with the Elsass Empire? I don't see any of their emblems on this ship, what is your relationship with them?]

The ambassador stood forward and stood in front flanked by guards, not losing out in momentum to him in the slightest.

[The Elsass Empire is a vanquished nation, defeated by us! It is now the territory of the Third Reich, and we are here to set up diplomatic relations with your Empire!]

There was a moment of silence as the Demi-human knight was visually surprised to hear this. His surprise soon turned into scepticism.

[Do you have any proof? We may be slightly behind in news, but I've never heard of the Third Reich before]

[Indeed, we are a new nation. We were founded two months ago, and have defeated the Elsass Magical Empire a week ago. It is not unusual for you to not be aware]

Upon hearing this, the seriousness on the knight's face disappeared as he relaxed, his face turning slightly into a sneer. Even the Elsass Empire had to treat them with respect, sending gifts and being afraid of confrontation. Let alone this baby country?

He guessed that they were here to pay tribute to gain their support, or at least a promise of neutrality. While it was not impossible that the Elsass Empire was defeated, there was no doubt that this "Third Reich" was heavily damaged.

After all, they were probably just some lucky rebel force. This was even evident in their name! Every powerful country always had "Empire" in their name. It was as much a show of power as an honorary title only held by the puppet masters of the world. Therefore, the very lack of "Empire" in the Third Reich's name meant that they had no speaking power on the world stage! And perhaps they'll be able to extort a lot of benefits from them...

I mean, just look at the ship! While it may look impressive, as a magic user, the knight could tell that there were absolutely no magic users or warriors on board. That's right, none! It was common strength to send your best soldiers to show your strength, and the soldiers here? All mortals.

[Hmmp! Very well, I accept your delegation, follow me and I'll lead you to the capital]

However little did the knight know, the Third Reich had always had the word "Empire" in its name. Yet, their standing did not come from some vague, vain title or the accumulation of centuries. It came from their pure, iron strength. A proof, carved from the blood of their enemies.