"We're three sizes too big." Hierd voiced out infront of the large panel of his military officers. Looking at him intently. "We have taken the majority of Krimvald, the other cities were left to rule by themselves, whilst Hesia we have successfully invaded and conquered."
He continued; "And because of the vast amount of land we now conquer. I am afraid that Germany would be stretched too thin. Because of this; we will be signing an agreement with the still existing Hesian monarchy that they will get back their cities with the only exception being the port city of Geo."
"We'd have waged war for nothing for the ones who perished if we didn't come back with something." Hierd then brandished a paper scroll from out his coat. "Thirty percent of Hesia's gold, and their magical knowledge will be passed down to us. Along that; students and teachers from Hesia will need to have a mandatory five year education term in what I will now call; University of Germany (UG)."
"This educational program…" Adelhied questioned; "What will it do for us?"
"Of course, our fellow German children will be doing the same thing as the Hesians. The five year course will develop their understanding of German mechanics, makings boats, making guns, making ordinary machinary that will improve a country in the long term." He smirked; "Germany, Hesia, Betelion. War did break; but not as we expected. Two weeks from now; the three countries will be formally united."
"The German Sphere of Influence."
( * )
That name stuck in the minds of the Germans and Hesians. It was plastered on the posts, on the guilds, and on the military vehicles; "The German Sphere of Influence."
Other journalists called it; "The German Sphere of Power." Already was Hierd the most powerful man alive, this 'alliance' was a front. For Germany's benefit. In the end, they theorized that though Hesia and Betelion will get upgraded infrastructure, indeed only Germany will rise. And the two will be body guards against a world who will revolt.
The invasion of Hesia happened three weeks ago, now peace talks at the fourth, then alliance at the end of the month. In that span; Unchean vastly increased it's influence as the capital of Germany.
The boom of people coming from Hesia, Betelion, and some other countries in the continent of Latessia were too great to be housed in the already cramped Unchean. Hierd declared a travel ban for three weeks because of this. But, in that span; he reformed Unchean. Truly turning it into an urban sprawl.
The buildings now rose as high as did the school. Four floors and counting. Factories were becoming more common and, to increase the space, the gates were stationed further back. The architects planned out a wider section of the Tria forest to be removed to make way for construction efforts. Such planning started after the renovation of the housing.
Hierd now even sold his cars to the common public; with wealthy nobles from Betelion snatching up all of it the first day of it's release. The world was truly hit by Germany's influence.
It was nearly november. About the time of the year that the kingdoms from all around the world start making preparations for the incoming Auferstehen. But Germany hadn't cared. After the first week; Hierd sky rocketed Germany's infrastructure for his people's development. Easel and Unchean were seperated from kilometers away back then; but then, roads were being made, and building plots were being assigned. "In three months;" Said the architects and engineers, "The two cities will be linked. Buildings and roads connecting them."
---
Then, the day came. The three leaders, Hesian's king, Betelion's Emperor. And, much more foreboding than the two combined, the chancellor of Germany.
"All in little old Betelion." Said Marrise, looking out the car window. "Should've happened in Unchean. This place's a crack den- no. A cesspool of weird people."
Naturvege looked at her; "You've been so negative to this kingdom since first I met you. It's… Delighting, in a way."
Marrise looked at him; "So what exactly will we be doing?"
Naturvege crossed his legs on the cramped back seat. "At dawn there'll be a military parade showing off the trio of countries and their powers. We will be introducing a new tank; the Maus."
He continued; "While we enamor the crowd with the parade, we watch from afar. Keeping tabs on the lord. And." He added suspense, reeling in Marrise; "nothing else." She pouted.
After the long bumpy ride upwards the capital's towering castle. The car finally stopped at a similarly large manor just beside it. The two exited the car.
At the entrance were two rather decorated Venit Ille soldiers, using the traditional bayonet-equipped Kar98ks. "Good Afternoon ma'am." They bowed in unison; "The lord awaits you inside."
As the door opens for the two; they were immidiately greet with a crowded scenery. Had somebody gotten married? Died? There were so many sharply dressed people that two felt (who wore themselves some fancy wears) look out of place.
Then, peeking out from the crowd of people, it was Friedrick, as sharply dressed as anyone there. He hurriedly brushed himself out the crowd to get to them, he panted infront of Marrise, catching his breath. "It gets hot in here."
"Haven't felt the heat." She said.
"I-in the crowd."
She looked away, "Why the nobles?"
"O-oh, them?" He stood straight, finally catching the breath that ran. "They aren't nobles. They're currently fifty of the best soldiers that Germany can offer. Matthaus, Alrife, to name a few guys that I know."
They wore green coats. The polish ceremonial army uniform. The cape that over threw itself around on the left shoulder was the kicker for Marrise, her memories flooding back of nobles being promoted.
"The lord?" She looked at him.
"Upstairs, getting himself ready as well."
"I'll leave you two to it, I'll meet up with him." She swiftly left the scene, the two left to awkwardly look at each other.
She dashed into the crowd, avoiding incoming officers, and bouncing through and by everyone there. She came upon the stairs up and lauched herself to the second floor, it was devoid of people, the total opposite of the first floor. The moody lighting made it seem like it was night; yet in reality, the curtains were draped and candles flew about.
She walked, slowly, almost as if avoiding to interupt someone who might've been sleeping, when then she came upon the only door which had light spewing forth from the bottom.
She knocked; "Lord Hierd? I'm here. You were waiting for me?"
There was a pitter of noise, it developed into a scuffle, then to an cacophony of noise. "What's happening in there?" She shouted.
It took a few seconds of silence and of waiting before she got back to any response; "You may enter!" Screamed the muffled voice.
A quick turn of the door's knob and she was let in. The harsh light a quick contrast from the darkness that was the hallway before it. There was one singular figure dressed in all white.
"Are you a paladin?" She questioned jokingly; "wearing all white is a statement. It's either you've died, you're living, or you're from the theocracy!"
"Neither of that." He stood from his seat; "I shall create something. And I called you here because you won't be going by the name of princess anymore. By me, you're now one of my lackeys, a guard at my six. Accompanying me wherever I go."
"Surely I won't be recognized? Oh, no, that's just impossible." The sarcasm made Hierd look at her with felled eyes.
"I doubt anyone will, really."
"What's that supposed to mea-"
A huge rush of noise erupted downstairs, the sound of a crowd cheering. The culmination of all their voices vibrated the floor they both stood on as if an earthquake had gone by, they left the building.
"They're preparing for the parade, we should be off as well." Hierd got his luger's holster packed on his belt under his white great coat (for it was rather chilly in Betelion as it was approaching winter).
---
Brang!
The harmony of trumpets, then the bang of drums. Making their way forward the ranks first were the Betelions, their steads and the latest of machinery. The lot of the knights that were shown off by the Betelions had equipped the guns that Adelhied had sold, surprised Hierd a little as he was not informed.
It was the most important event that had happened all that year, forget Germany's inception, Germany's now allying with countries! There was never a formal 'decree' of sorts that had put Germany's name up in the monoliths.
Nobles, from all around Latessia came to witness this event unfold. Monarchs from other countries barreled down their scientists and own genius minds to the party. It had not been that jammed in Betelion's capital for centuries, the crowd that Hierd gathered was more than enough for the show of force he wished to create.
Hesia had already devastating blows after their defeat;
Hip to ho, hip to ho!
The clang of metal feet and the sound of metal conforming with gravity; then the galloping of horses carrying the Betelion flag. The trumpets then stopped; the crowd of people gasped at the incoming army.
The Hesian rocked onward wearing absolutely no armor at all, just like the Germans and their suits; along that, they triumphed their more prized staffs.
A platoon of sorcerers, and a band which played something that belonged in a nocturne's hall, not a military band's. The journalists kept watching and writing on their notebooks, waiting for the main actor of the show. Germany.
Just the name struck them down a winding path of questions. And the significance, the army the country carries, is a presence to espy.
The two military bands saluted Hierd and the three leaders up at the castle's balcony as they passed by. Showing them their stern, determined faces. Though Hierd got a little hint of revengeful eyes from the Hesians who passed.
The ground rumbled;
Immediately! The citizens rang out alarms in their heads; "It must be those German tanks!" And; "tanks!? Where? Where is it!?"
A huge surge of people, nobles, and all catcher-bies ran for the very start of the parade's entrance. Where knights and officers of the trio of countries were defending already the approaching crowd, pushing them; further, further back.
The start of Germany's military band raged forward in mechanical footsteps; the audience daunted by the green suits and strapped-on STG-44s.
The bang of the drums,
Clang of the cymbals;
The rhythmic chants of instruments they had yet to even see before in their lives. The melodious sound carried beauty, yet internally it too carried a heavy drop of supremacy.
As the soldiers rolled in with their bayonet-carried Kar8ks, the tanks had also. The barrels were pointed straight up, to the people. To the nobles outside of Betelion and the sphere of influence; such a machine had never been fathomed by man kind. By their kind atleast.
Nicknames had floated about before; "Iron Horse of the South, Germany's Land Whale." But seeing it in person was truly different.
The five tanks that rolled in (Tiger Is) were all written down on papers, the design, the outwardly machinery. The turret, the gun, the cupola to the tracks. Any detail minute and/or broad were drawn and written by Engineers wanting to learn and journalists wanting to create explanations.
But truly the fear of Germany had yet been released, for in a matter of moments, the long crowd of soldiers, of tanks that came before it were but mice to trap. The Maus entered; the hound that fells beasts.
If weren't the Tigers enough to send blasphemy to engineers and alchemists worldwide, then surely the big burling hunk of steel and whatnot would have been justifiable enough!
The crowd raged in awe, they looked at with the deepest of gazes, sharp enough to penetrate inside and through the crewmen it seemed.
"You brought quite the army." Said the Betelion king just beside Hierd.
"It is a parade after all, your majesty."
"Please, call me by more eased names; majesty is a term only said by people who knows not the boundary of royalty and of true man. I am king by blood but I am farmer by heart." King Apple said to him with a kindhearted face.
"Sir Apple." He refered; "I understand your willingness to be as advanced as Germany. This alliance that proof of such. I have decimated Krimvald and Hesia with that which I have. And could destroy any country north of here if I wanted to. I shan't say nay to that, though."
The worried face of the king brightened up instantly at the hearing of the last sentence; "to that, my engineers of the royal academy shall have had been sent to your university. During their stay, I expect great works ahead. Those guns, those fire-arms you hold; your monopoly is intriguing, so I would wish to have that as well." He chuckled a little.
Marrise was behind Hierd, paying attention to the conversation that she did not notice that the Hesian king had rolled in beside Hierd. "Chancellor."
Hierd turned around to the seat beside him. "Ah," -he stood- "King Charleston, good afternoon."
"As you too, chancellor of Germany, I hope to make great strides in our relationship as countries."
"I too." Hierd sat back, enjoying the rest of the parade which soon came to an end, the blaring of the final trumpet and roar of the crowd symbolized it, determined it.
( * )
When dusk approached (when the countries were done with their afternoon pleasentries and their own introductory speeches). They left for the inside of the castle. Only the higher nobles were allowed entry, the commoners were to see the news only once the first guard left to deliver it.
There was a large feast; a hall that stretched to a hundred chairs and a field of floor that could accompany a whole company of soldiers maybe even more than that.
All decorated with the warm chandeliers, the methodical; ornamental music played by bards of both countries (Hesia and Betelion). Hierd had his most trusted friends sitting front row and center. Marrise though, stood hugging a wall some few meters away from Hierd.
She watched as many nobles came, cautiously and nervously, towards Hierd. Asking questions like; "Your majesty, will you sell your armaments to other countries?" And more commonly the fact; "Could we trade with our technologies?"
But Hierd, despite being polished clean with questions and requests; did not falter. Replying simply; "At the moment, I will not have any words regarding that. If it is mentioned, it will be mentioned during our alliance signing later today."
The food served to them were a far cry to the food that Hierd gave troops at Venit Ille. Spaghetti, Shanghai, Sushi; a whole variety of things that he gave officers and soldiers the time to eat. Mini rewards he called it.
And the food they ate at the hall was seven leagues of a down grade. Duck, roasted chicken, and peas. Was this a commoner's meal!? Hierd took only one bite during the duration of the hall's festivities.
Then, a messenger of sorts announced; "Oh hear ye, hear ye! We now commence the signing of piers! Kingdom of the east; Hesia. The empire of technology; Betelion! And the kingdom of tigers, Germany!"
Immediately there was a roar of applause for the three kings on the small stage that was set at the front of the hall. "Kingdom of tigers…" Hierd murmured; "I like the sound of that."
They sat down on the round table offered to them at the middle of the stage; there was this distant, yet growing intensity between the three leaders. The crowd silenced quietly, awaiting nervously, anxiously for what happens next.
"Fur my people;" Started King Apple's excordium, "It brought me great joy when first we three countries would be intermingling so. This I say first for he, the chancellor of Germany. The need of technology has bounced back in regards to your highness' guns and tanks."
He continued; "This I wish answered; 'will you? Whom hast power over seemingly all countries, invade such countries?'"
The crowd was shook of the bold line of questioning from the Betelionic king, now they turned to Hierd, awaiting eagerly for the response. "Conquering a whole world is not as easy as you, your highness, makes it out to be. My soldiers, my army, navy, they indeed are powerful works of war. But not works of governance. I can control the people with guns and threaten them with death. But that will only signal revolt. 'Let them be!' Say I, but I, will no care at all were it that another kingdom to invade, effortlessly kill every single one of their forces. Saving their citizens, and crumbling their infrastructure."
A silent gasp was made oh so audible by the sound of people drinking wine, or were it that they were gulping? Hierd didn't know, he was frankly too focused on the next words that were to be uttered.
"Under the declaration of our alliance;" Said the Hesian king; "We would like for all kingdoms a part of it to be able to benefit with themselves, economically and for each respective armies."
"Training drills and naval drills." Blurted Hierd, arousing curiosity in the onlookers and the two kings beside him. "The alliance is meant to benefit all actors! During our cooperation I… We expect that, as leaders, will help develop respective weaknesses. I for one am still underdeveloped in other areas that Hesia or the Betelion kingdom have developed much of and vice versa."
( * )
Hierd solidified it. It took only one day for the word to spread to multiple kingdoms. Dragoon squadrons helped deliver it. And the journalists, common folk and whomever propagated it with their own wild tricks, making Hierd seem more heroic and at times more forgiving than really.
The day the declaration of their aliance was signed, was the day everything seemingly stopped and flew. When the carriages of each and every country went home, they began writing novels and entering the event in their history books as; "The start of a new age." And indeed it was.
The very next week, there were immidiate changes. Full on companies of engineers and other people of the same craft were sent to Betelion from Germany, to Germany from Betelion, from Germany to Hesia, to Betelion from Hesia, and so on, and so forth!
The Rush of the Minds! The exchange of information was downpouring like rain, papers, books, and knowledge passed down. German guns, Hesian magicks, and Betelionic primitive iron crafts. All, put to good use. The next two weeks after that, Germany's engineers came back bearing gifts.
"Lord." Proclaimed one of them, "we wish to manufacture guns. Not just get gifted them."
Hierd looked at the team of dedicated engineers next to the man who stood his ground in that proclamation of his, "Very well." -the crowd roared- "I shall lot space for you to conduct your trials in the factory. Pomlik shall provide you the nessary materials, however I do say that there are something that the motherland will have to bring since production of it is absent here."
"Steel? Lord?"
It rang bells in his mind; "Yes, yes. Steel, steel for shipbuilding."
"I have good news, lord."
Hierd's eyes lit up.
During the course of the rest of november. There was this back and forward of exchanging steel between Betelion. So many stacks of it in fact that when Pomlik entered his warehouse it was just to the brim!
The reward for such a commission? What arrived on their doorsteps the last week of november was a gift beyond proportions. The reward surpassed the commission in a way.
SMS Baden.
Germany's dreadnaught. Delivered on red carpets, Adelheid introduced her to the wide-eyed Betelionic engineers. "She travels faster than any ship you own and has armaments that can destroy whole coastlines."
He sold it for them.
By next day's dawn; engineers had already combed in and out the mechanics of the Baden. Noting many things they had no idea what they were but were things they noted to be essential.
The way the bow was constructed. The armor, the guns, the main turrets. The bridge, the whole superstructure. The funnels, the engine! Everything! "FANTASTIQUE!" Yelled the orgasmic engineers.
As it were the last week of November. Auferstehen was coming, Hierd readied (as well as his allies) troops that went along the still remaining tree lines of the Tria forest after the deforestation.
A week later.
Nothing.
Another week.
Ghosts and leaves.
"Winter break?" Hierd chuckled. "I think we've missed the deadline, or uh, they have."
Jamie, the other scientists of Unchean's research team were beyond baffled. "This is something to write about in the history books!"
Winter had came so would the monsters. But monsters were nowhere to be found. "The demons of hell are afraid to trample upon the lord of tigers!" Graced the journalists.
Though cold struck thick in Germany. Blood ran heavily on other lands. Reported by the still being constructed embassies in both Hesia nad Betelion;
"A horde of Auferstehen monsters have sieged the capital and some port cities. The Betelions have done well in defending their cities."
The man made note that SMS Baden was still in great hands.
It had not been mentioned. But Jane, what Hierd called the capital of men for Hesia, became the actual capital of Hesia. It had been urbanized to it's maximum, and the city expanded three fold. The amount of buildings, and the citizens who were there, were unbearable.
"And bad." Reported the Embassy man. "I recollect then that Auferstehen's power greatens the number of people in an area. And it has certainly been so. Whole hordes, big monsters. And broken walls."
Under German control; the port city of Geo still housed many Venit Ille black and Ridge Brown soldiers. They charged into Jane with as much firepower they could muster. There were four tanks, thirty mortars, and seven Vickers machine guns. All raging their bullets onto the field wherein those darned monsters were.
It took three hundred innocent lives.
Four hundred knights.
And ten German soldiers.
To stop Auferstehen's wrecking over Jane.
Yet, questions arose in their minds. "Why has Germany been given the pass?" The same question was being said over and over again in the halls where those scientists worked.
Jamie herself paused her teaching work in the University to research this uncommon event. No, it wasn't uncommon, that's a bad word to use. Ungodly event. Not even God could have predicted this maybe. May the lord's dane help them.
( * )
One more week in December, and it was all peaceful. "Auferstehen and it's refractory period." Gleefully said by Hierd.
"Refractory period?" Questioned Naturvege behind him. "What is that, lord?"
"A period where a man whimpers, awaiting the end where he, that man could release once more his energetic self." Hierd so soothingly said.
"I see, that indeed makes sense." Naturvege pondered it in his head, reciting 'refractory period' a multitude of times before Hierd eventually told him to stop saying it.
Hierd turned to him; "Hesia's in the dumps right now, tell Captain Jack to deliver the ship that's in Hazel."
"Yes, lord." He bowed.
Hierd grasped his warm great coat, the cold stung like a bee, but atleast January was nearing.
---
There was a kind of coup going on inside Hesia. Normal militaries would divide themselves in three armies.
The navy,
The army, and the;
Dragooneers.
Hesia differed in that they had also a magical army (like krimvald before but better). A big fraction of Hesia's warships were at port Geo and some other ports south the equator. Most were destroyed, leaving a few thirty ships still afloat. Most only being small sloops, leaving one galleon still afloat.
The army was nearly wiped; the only remaining army was the small militia formed by the people of Jane, and the battalion's worth of acutal knighted knights.
The magicians were almost stripped of their power; already the magical capital was destroyed beyond relief, and having less power to back up their military branch; they were severely weak.
The dragooneers… We don't talk about them.
Christmas had come late but Hesia got their present. The navy was awestruck by the immense package delivered to Geo, imagine their surprise when the Admirals whom were there were told that these were to belong to them.
They freaked!
"Y-you are serious!?" Screamed an admiral. "YOU ARE SERIOUS!?"
Money signs and smiles went across the board. The admirals, other Hesian sailors. Every single one of Hesia's top command were called upon Geo's shore. From the tip to the hull. The triple barreled turrets and twin barreled turrets. The great bridge, funnels, and superstructure. An immovable fortress. "The lord delivers unto you;
The Giulio Cesare."
< * >
Special stuff;
Picture/s of the strategic plan of Atago attacking port Geo;
Picture/s of the strategic plan of Germany Attacking Magical forces;