Glaciers Continent – Nordic Empire, Southwest Draconian-Occupied Territory
The controlled zone of the Nordic Empire wasn't particularly large, as it bordered two nations. However, it provided strategic points to attack major ports. The Nordic military established a long defensive line, but Alex had other plans, focusing on building a city port to fully claim the territory and provide a docking point for his ships. For now, there was only a militarized beachhead.
Soldiers in winter camo marched along the frozen beach, accompanied by APCs and IFVs. In one captured city, the unofficial marshal held a strategic meeting in the city hall.
Frustora City Hall
"So, everyone heard the war with Chronos is over. Tell me, did we properly spread the news?" Marshal Manuel Frieden, a lean-built officer with short black hair and a winter camo overcoat, addressed the room. His piercing black eyes met the gaze of those present.
"Yes, the two divisions have received the information, and others are celebrating," an officer responded.
"I see. What about our adversaries—the Nords? What's their reaction?" Manuel expected the Nords to swarm his defenses again. However, the Winter Wall—a quickly constructed defensive line with gaps covered by cavalry units—prevented their movements and escape.
Manuel aimed to grind down the Nordic military power. He planned to exploit any gap to strike at their military port, requesting naval assistance to target additional ports. However, Alex had ordered him to treat the occupied territory as a military base for future operations, forcing him to abandon those plans and focus on developing the territory.
Resource Challenges
"For now, the Dominican Federation provides us with food to feed our men. But when I brought up raw materials, they refused," one of Manuel's staff officers said.
"And we need those materials to build factories and greenhouse farms," Manuel replied with irritation.
"They claimed it would draw suspicion and agreed only to supply food without charge," the officer explained.
Manuel's army had grown to 25,000, bolstered by a brigade of magic knights sent by Sean. Supplies were stretched thin, with only three of seven airfields in Muscovy operational. Submarine supply missions had become necessary, with crates delivered covertly under the cover of night.
"Are there any other options besides that empire?" Manuel asked irritably. Thorough scouting had revealed few usable mines. Residents, mostly freed slaves, were paid to gather raw materials to send back to the Empire, with construction materials expected to follow in a few days.
"We need more iron for steel beams, more wood for structures and tools. Although some demands can be filled by the Empire, we require additional resources," another officer admitted sheepishly.
The Thanatos Empire, the second strongest and highly isolated, was an option. However, Manuel despised their formalities and perceived inefficiencies in warfare.
"Fucking son of a bitch of an empire," Manuel muttered under his breath, earning silence from the room as they recognized his temper.
Diplomatic Maneuvering
"Since their founding anniversary is about to happen, we could pitch talks to acquire the materials we need," his second-in-command suggested.
The Marshal loathed negotiating with the Thanatos Empress, whom he considered a cunning viper adept at exploiting weaknesses in negotiations. Their first meeting had been far from pleasant.
Flashback: Thanatos Imperial Palace Conference Room
Manuel sat at one end of the table with a clear, emotionless expression mirrored by the Empress, her silver-blue eyes locked on him.
"Your Majesty, I wish to present an offer," Manuel began formally. She nodded, motioning for him to continue.
"I propose importing the materials listed, with payments facilitated through the Dominican Federation," he explained.
"Cash alone is insufficient. I want something equivalent," the Empress replied, her tone slicing through his composure.
"I wish for Draconian concrete and its production formula," she stated.
Manuel clenched his fists under the table. "No. I can only supply limited amounts, with fines imposed for misuse. The formula is guarded by construction guilds, and any unauthorized use will trigger a major uproar."
After a tense negotiation, she proposed an alternate deal: 10,000 tons of concrete mix in exchange for materials and reduced transport taxes. Despite his anger, Manuel's advisor accepted the terms, calming the situation.
End of Flashback
The Empress used the shipments to initiate a building spree, rapidly developing her capital and frontier territories. Alex, preoccupied with the Chronos war, gave Manuel a slap on the wrist and assigned him to pay the transport taxes from his personal account.
Frustora Defenses
Returning to the present, Manuel shifted focus to fortifying Frustora City.
"Sir, construction of the new defenses is nearly complete," an engineering officer reported.
"Good. I'll inspect the progress. Stay vigilant," Manuel said, leaving the room accompanied by his Blackwatch Regiment, elite shock troops under his command.
Inspection
As Manuel walked through the stone streets, he observed soldiers moving sandbags and materials to designated sites. From above, the city resembled a large star fortress, with multiple defensive layers and gates isolating sections. At its heart was the main HQ, flanked by barracks in the northern section of the second layer.
With 8,000 soldiers stationed in Frustora, supported by an artillery battalion, the fortress could sustain itself for two years without reinforcements. However, such a victory would come at a high cost.
Manuel reflected on the grueling effort it took to capture Frustora, lamenting the lack of air support during the invasion.
"No, I can only give you a sack of it, and for the formula, you will be fined for each use of it since it's not just the emperor holding onto it—only the different construction guilds. Hearing it will cause an uproar, which means your concrete will not be useful if they cut out the different materials," he said, trying to outweigh the cons, which convinced her only slightly.
"Then how about this: you export 10,000 tons of concrete mix to me in exchange for everything here with no charge, only dealing with the transportation taxes," she finished. This pissed Manuel off, but before he could speak in a harsher tone, his advisor stopped him.
"Yes, the terms are acceptable. We can begin next month," the advisor said. Faint energy from Manuel's power leaked momentarily, but it was not noticeable.
A Few Minutes After the Meeting
"What the fuck was that? She was robbing us of something that could advance her empire!" he shouted—not in anger, but irritation, as he tried to prevent it.
"Sir, we must use any resources we have, even if it means sacrificing a few pieces of technology. Plus, she doesn't have steel bars, which are needed to stabilize structures," his advisor explained.
"Sigh... you do realize I have to explain this to the emperor now. Imagine his reaction," Manuel said, his second-in-command taken aback.
"For now, let's keep our side of the deal. At least we have the equipment, but this is the last time I will talk to her," he said as he turned to leave the room. Everyone knew it was time to leave.
End of Flashback
After the first shipments arrived, she began a building spree across her capital and frontier territories. Stone was no longer a necessity. Alex, hearing about this, had no reaction as he was too focused on the war. Instead, he gave Manuel a slap on the wrist, assigning him to pay the transport taxes out of his personal account.
"Fuck, do we have any new information about their empire? It's been a few months since the last visit," Manuel asked as he entered with a few documents in hand.
"We still have to ask the Assassin X unit, but most likely, it will take a few days before we get moving. I found the letter near the fireplace," Manuel said, tempted to throw it into the flames.
"Sir, the construction of the new defenses around the city is almost complete," one of his aides, who was in charge of the engineering battalion, spoke up.
"Good. I'll inspect its progress. As for the others, keep our eyes peeled," he said, leaving the room with a dozen guards from the Blackwatch Regiment—a well-rounded unit used as personal shock troops under his authority.
Manuel's POV
As Manuel walked through the stone streets, he saw soldiers carrying sandbags and building materials toward designated locations. From above, the city resembled a large star fortress on a bigger scale. Each section was closed off by gates, designed to isolate and contain if one area was breached.
At the center stood the main HQ, while barracks for soldiers were located in the northern section of the second layer. Dispersed manpower meant ample space for supplies to be placed before going to their respective storage units.
Currently, over 8,000 soldiers were encamped in Frustora City, supported by an artillery battalion stationed around the perimeter.
"So, are we seeing a fortress that could sustain itself for two years without reinforcements?" Manuel asked the commander in charge.
"Yes, but with enough bullets and supplies, along with factories producing what we need, we can expect to defend it," the commander replied. Without supplies, the fortress could hold for even longer, but it would come at the cost of a pyrrhic victory.
"Well, I can still imagine how invading this place took the life out of me," Manuel said, reminiscing about the time he took Frustora with little to no air support.