Steel and Mana

Chapter 373 – Sending Help

My palace's main chamber, with my throne, had been reworked in the past decade and expanded to a bigger size, and now it was like a university lecture hall. Or an amphitheater, but inversed. I sat in the middle, on my throne, while my ministers, now numbering around almost fifty, sat in a half circle, facing me as we were discussing the latest news. Usually, we met every month, if for nothing else, just to give short reports of the happenings around my territory. If there was nothing actually happening, I usually had Merlin stand in for me. Not this time, though.

Today, we received a complete report from Mirian's delegation that reached the Kingdom of Markoth. They had sent back an urgent message, contacting Atuvia as it was the closest to them, who telegrammed it to me directly as soon as possible. We learned about the situation even before it reached Mirian... And the news wasn't good. We had to do something fast before winter came again. We only had about one and a half months at best...

So, it was time to make a decision and inform my ministers of what we were facing. With a nod, I glanced at Merlin, who stood up, turning towards the rest of the ministers. His voice firmly echoed in the hall as every eye fell on his body.

"My friends," he started, clasping his hands behind his back. "We had received urgent news the previous night from the Ishillian delegation visiting Markoth, the land where there is another opening to the Beastlands. At least one of those openings is easily traversable like ours. I have it here, a full account of Markoth… and beyond their borders." He reached down, raising a thick folder, showing it above his head. "And it is not ideal."

As he spoke, clerks and young officials in training began distributing copies of it to every member of my parliament, giving them access to the same information so they could take it home and read it at their leisure after the meeting was over.

"I will now read to you the accompanying introductory letter," he continued, his voice remaining firm.

The chamber stilled, and many of them stopped opening their documents and instead solely listened to Merlin's words. Their unison and naturally developed manners while doing so made me smile. It was gratifying to see that the people responsible for running Avalon fluently were more professional than any politician in my old life.

"To Your Majesty, Mirian Ishillia," Merlin began, "The delegation has reached Markoth and found the land in complete, and if left without outside help, in irreversible ruin. What was once a kingdom that was in a protracted civil war is now nothing but a shattered husk. The destruction is not because of their conflict but because they were overrun twice by monstrous waves from the other side. While we never suffered the same fate, thanks to Avalon's protection, they couldn't stop the monsters from breaking through. The first time was devastating but not fatal. Yet, the second long winter brought a kneeling kingdom into its grave. Worse, the blight that these monsters are managed to spread further out. By the remaining forces in this desolate country, we learned that the eastern lands, including the Kingdom of Airosia and the Republic of Aymnes, have fared no better. Entire regions, not only cities, my Empress, and whole regions now lie silent, their lands drained of life. This includes the animals, too... I had never seen such an empty and eerily silent landscape. The following part wasn't confirmed by us, but I have good authority to believe it is true: The Minacian Trade Company, once the lifeblood of the eastern part of this part of the continent, is also crippled. From my understanding, were it not for the Kuhlman Empire’s legions and their own Godly Artifact, the tide would have swallowed the entire eastern continent."

"Is this... true?" I heard a whisper coming from Kraus, who had retired as my Forgemaster four years ago, willingly stepping down. He told me that he could feel his body aging, feeling it harder to raise a hammer every day. So, after a new Forgemaster was chosen in a year-long competition, he became a minister, overseeing and coordinating my more secretive projects.

"I am afraid so." I nodded, sighing, "Just remember the time when a spider-like beast came... If we couldn't stop that, who knows what kind of devastation it would have caused. To my knowledge, there are three crossing points in the same category that we guard. The third is in the easternmost part of the continent, so if they broke through in Markoth, we are fair to guess the third was also breached."

"Or," Merlin interjected, "We can't discard the idea that the monsters focused on Markoth's opening, coming through where they encountered the least resistance."

"Either way," I waved a hand, "The situation is not good. Prime Minister, please continue."

"Yes!" He nodded, moving his eyes back to the letter, "Without further intervention, the beasts can come and go as they please. The people of Markoth starve. The only reason the law is preserved somewhat is that living outside of the capital city is a danger. The beasts may have been beaten back, but there are always sightings of remaining, smaller ones hiding in ruins, old mines, and burrows. The Trailblazers we came with reported to me that since arriving, seven families tried to sell their children for a loaf of bread. My Empress... The east is a tinderbox, exposed and left unguarded. One spark, and it will burn.

We await further instructions.

Signed,
Duke Alaric of Ishillia."

After finishing, Merlin and I waited a little, letting the others think it through. I only spoke up when they began murmuring between each other and continued opening the documents to read whatever else was in there.

"I have already sent forth the copies to Mirian; she is discussing it just the same, probably right now. The situation is dire."

"You will find all the relevant information about the countries there." Merlin pointed at the documents before them. "Including everything Ishillia and us know about those countries. If the Kuhlman Empire had to march in force yet never actually occupied any of the now 'freed' regions, the damage must have been catastrophic. So much so that it would require more to put in than to gain. What we can tell from the report is that the Kuhlmans never got high enough to reach Markoth's capital and travel to the breach. Which already shows what kind of strength they have and what they can spare. Which is not enough!"

"It isn't." I echoed Merlin's conclusion, driving it home. "The report says enough, but not enough at the same time. We must send troops to ascertain the situation for ourselves."

"This is a tricky situation," Oleg exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose, sitting amongst them, wearing his military uniform, "With Markoth in ruins and Airosia crippled, the eastern side of the land is ripe for the taking. If they manage to, even just a little, recover, warlords will rise from the ruined parts of the kingdoms that are still there. There are always people who want to take advantage of the worst situations. It is a law of nature, My Sovereign. Mercenaries will sell their swords to the highest bidder."

"Yes, I know." I agreed as my fingers drummed against the armrest of my throne. "Even if the simple people are already on the ground, starving, desperate—there will be others to kick their bodies. If nothing else... just for fun. Either way, the chaos won’t stay contained. So we must bring order... and hope."

"My Sovereign," Elena rose from her seat as she cleared her throat before speaking. "If we extend aid or forces eastward… right now... Aren't we weakening ourselves? Winter is coming, and we were told to expect a harsh one."

"That is true." Merlin agreed with his wife, glancing at me, but I was already determined.

"We are strong enough to not be affected by missing one squadron." I waved a hand, ending the questioning of the decision at once. Still, Elena remained standing.

"One other thing." She continued calmly, "If we appear there, maybe the Kuhlmans will take it as a challenge. They could see it as an indirect attack against their local influence.

"Hmph!" I snorted as my eyes darkened. "Let them think that if they want to. We cannot ignore this. If they refuse to step up, we will! We are the experts when it comes to killing monsters; we will demonstrate it. Also," I smiled a little, "We will go as part of a Union. Well, at least, in name."

"Are we looking to induct Markoth into the Union?" Merlin asked, surprised, making me shake my head.

"No. They are too far away. But, I look towards the future. One day, we will start looking towards the east. Not just Avalon, but the Union. It is best to make our first contact... impactful."

"Ah." Merlin and many other ministers smiled, repeating something I had been using many times now. "Shock and awe. The Avalonian method."

"Exactly!" I chuckled, looking at Oleg, "General, you will go personally."

"Yes, My Sovereign!" He saluted.

"You will take the Knight's Errand, load it up with four Knights, and fly directly to Markoth. That should be enough to demonstrate some of our strength and be capable of killing anything that may come through."

"Understood. Any orders which four Knight should come with me?"

"You pick them." I shook my head but then snapped my finger, "But one of them should be the Valiant. Veron is experienced in defensive roles. Pick others to support him and one who can be the spearhead if we need to strike out. You can make any decision in my name while on this mission, Oleg. Preserving our soldiers is your ultimate priority... defending Markoth is just the second. Don't sacrifice Avalonian lives if the situation is unsalvageable, and evacuate the Ishillian delegation while retreating."

"Yes!" He bowed, ready to leave as soon as possible.

With that, our meeting was mostly done. While we were preparing for the winter here, the Knight's Errand, one of my smaller airships, would take on its first solitary flight. It was precisely built to carry mechs into battle, equipped with everything to maintain them and repair them. As for our strength...

By now, we had twelve Knights, including my Father and Yuri. Which meant we would still have eight mechs present for our winter assault. It should be enough; we conquered Ishillia with less. As for Markoth, four should be plenty to show why the western side of the continent didn't fall to ruin. And if the news spreads to the other Empires, they will at least take the Union seriously when we officially make contact in the future.

And...

There was a bit of guilt, gently reminding me that there was a very high chance that their misfortune was because we kept provoking fate. Well... I can't entertain that thought, or I would feel guilty for everything. What I can do is help to the best of my abilities and do what I can do without endangering ourselves. The rest will resolve itself.

If we can plug in the holes in the walls, that would be even better. Many said that no expeditions to the other side had ever succeeded or come back. But, they were always of one sole country's efforts. What if we do it as a unified force? Of course, it was just a simple thought, not something I expected to be realized.

But the idea was there, and I was growing ever so curious and cautious. They wanted my son, my children. So, one day, we would have to see what was what, and that would mean crossing over. This also means that establishing a base directly at the opening of the Pass was becoming more and more of an enticing idea.