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When the Federation approached her through neutral channels later that day, Emilia wasn't too surprised.
Of course, she accepted their request for them to meet face-to-face.
What caught her off guard, though, was the venue they proposed. After all… Phoenix was her ally now, and if the Federation's leaders dared to actually step foot there during an ongoing war… they were either too confident, or were trying to prove a point.
Either way, it showed that they were willing to put their lives on the line this time.
The crimson-haired girl didn't dare to completely let down her guard, though, and still instructed her forces to remain on full alert.
Of course, this meant that Noelle and Sam also had to stay in Carmen to oversee the management of resources and troops there, and aside from Dixie, Crystal, and a small crew to accompany her, the rest would have to stay to defend the empire.
