A Person on Terra, Out of Books

"Your Majesty, it's anti-cutting fiber."

Salus said, "When I was studying in Victoria, I saw Victoria's police wearing things like this. I'm only seeing military-grade equipment today."

The naval guns began their next round of loading. Taking advantage of this interval, Victoria's infantry began their performance. As they advanced, they suddenly broke into loose formations amidst the shouts of their officers, then abruptly formed dense arrays.

Furthermore, as they advanced slowly in dense formations, the first rank of soldiers raised their shield walls, while the soldiers in the rear two ranks suddenly pulled something from themselves and threw it forward. In the blink of an eye, dust filled the air in front of the Victoria infantry square.

'Grenades?!'

Although Theresica's expression didn't change, he was stunned inside.

The gap between Kazdel and these Terra thugs was too vast.

However, what shocked him even more was yet to come.

The sides of the Victoria transport ships suddenly opened, and after a burst of airflow, giant humanoid metal constructs slowly emerged one after another. Twelve constructs, several times larger than a Wendigo, stood tall in the desert.

They suddenly lowered their bodies, and then with a deafening roar, these artificial beings leaped into the sky. They plummeted into the so-called enemy city, the resulting airflow causing the drone's camera lens to shake.

'Are these even Gundams?!'

Theresica instinctively pinched himself, but the pain clearly told him he wasn't dreaming.

"Your Majesty, these are Steam Knights."

Bodrocasti said, "When I was in Ursus... I clashed with them. The Wendigo suffered... some casualties."

The gloom on Theresica's face deepened. At this moment, the Banshee ran over.

"Your Majesty, Victoria says they will conduct another friendly visit in one day."

Chapter 99: Kazimierz: You Scared Me Half to Death!

Conducting military exercises while also proposing a friendly visit, Victoria really knows how to stir things up.

However, as the one being stirred up, Theresica felt anything but comfortable. He racked his brain, contemplating the future path for Kazdel, wondering where it lay.

But his mind was filled with confusion.

The Seaborn, as Sarkaz's most advantageous political excuse, was the first thing Theresica thought of. Its power was immense, almost like a blank check, allowing them to forcefully demand other nations favor Sarkaz.

However, there was only one such opportunity. If they used it once and tried for a second, no one would pay attention.

Therefore, Theresica wanted to save it, to be brought out only when Sarkaz truly faced a crisis, on the verge of disappearing from Terra.

But what if it was for real? That would be too insane, practically terrorism. Before the Seaborn crisis fully erupted, Sarkaz would face retribution from all of Terra.

That wasn't what he wanted. He wanted the entire Sarkaz race to survive.

But where was the way out?

Theresica sat in his chair, lost in thought. Even as night enveloped Kazdel and silence shrouded the Sarkaz royal residence, he couldn't weave together an answer.

However, in the dead of night, hurried yet carefully muffled footsteps appeared outside his room.

The person pushed open the door, came to his side, and after a moment of silence, gently embraced him.

Theresica didn't know why, but he suddenly felt his spirit rapidly softening, and liquid began to secrete from his eyes.

"Sis... I don't know how to deal with them, I really can't think of a way! They're too strong, we don't have enough power."

A wave of grievance suddenly washed over Theresica, causing his voice to carry a hint of a sob. Why did he have to face such a difficult situation? Why did he inherit such a terrible mess?

"It's not your fault, you've done more than enough, really! Think about what Kazdel is like now. You've done a million times better than those two idiots!"

Mudrock held him tightly, gently patting his back, and whispered, "How about taking a day off today? Get some good rest..."

The emotions he had been suppressing for so long all erupted at once. Theresica could no longer control his tears or his voice.

Shining waved her hand, dismissing all the royal guards, and then quietly stood watch outside the door.

Crying was useless; it couldn't provide answers to difficult problems.

Theresica opened his eyes. The sun had just begun to rise. He didn't disturb Mudrock, instead going to wash up himself.

'Phew... I feel much lighter...'

Theresica glanced at the clock. He had about 24 hours left to resolve the current crisis.

In the early morning, he convened a small royal court meeting. The clan leaders and heads of relevant departments were summoned to the Sarkaz palace.

"Zeppelin. The initial version of the airship... are the data files still available?"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, they are all here."

"Then... organize them and prepare them for packing."

Theresica's words stunned Zeppelin.

"Your Majesty... what are you planning to do?"

"It's useful."

Theresica turned his gaze to the Banshee. "I need you to go to Ursus immediately. Also, bring a communications unit and set up communication relay points along the way. I need to speak directly with Vitt." "As you command, Your Majesty."

The Banshee guessed what Theresica was planning. He was preparing for a trade of interests.

Victoria still has no way to solve the problem with its own strength when facing Kazdel.

"Absolver, I need you to go to Lungmen and find Mr. Wei. Bring the communication troops with you and set up a communication relay point."

"Yes."

Neither the Absolver nor the Banshee delayed, and they left immediately.

Finally, Theresica looked at Manfred.

"Compile information on all retired veterans. Those who are physically capable, equip them with armor and weapons. This must be completed within a day."

"Yes!"

The Banshee moved quickly. By 11:30 AM, Theresica was on the phone with Vitt.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty. I didn't expect to hear your voice while sitting in my office in Saint Petersburg. This is quite surprising."

"There's no other way given the urgency."

Theresica said helplessly, "Mr. Vitt, Kazdel is in trouble."

"Hmm? ...Oh? ...Good heavens!"

There was an initial sound of confusion from the other end of the phone, but it quickly turned into shock.

"Your Majesty, my secretary just sent me a report. What is Victoria doing?!"

"They are pressuring Kazdel to change its stance, trying to distort our friendship with Ursus."

Theresica replied to Vitt, "We need help now. Kazdel alone cannot contend with Victoria."

"Oh... I've just seen this... It's astonishing..."

Vitt's voice was filled with bewilderment. "Good heavens, this is an unimaginable situation. This kind of thing... Ursus must consider it carefully. Victoria is no small player, Your Majesty."

"Of course, everything in this world deserves careful consideration. The situation isn't that urgent, we still have time."

Theresica smiled and asked casually, "Mr. Vitt, do you remember the airships?"

"Of course, they were excellent equipment. They greatly accelerated Lungmen's construction work... It's a shame Ursus isn't suited for them."

"No, things are different now."

Theresica interrupted Vitt's regretful statement, flipping through the data compiled by Zeppelin, and said, "We've improved them. They can overcome Ursus's snowstorms and some minor natural disasters."

"What?" Vitt was taken aback. "Really?"

"Of course, it's true. That kind of situation where they were shot down by Originium Arts is unlikely to happen again."

"Ah, congratulations on your new achievement."

"Thank you, but it seems a bit unsuitable for Kazdel."

Theresica said, "After the improvements, it seems to have gone beyond civilian use. If you were to throw things at people you dislike at night, it might create a beautiful scene."

"Sounds interesting."

Vitt was silent for a moment. "Is that true?"

"Of course, Vitt. We are friends. Deceiving friends is a difficult way to survive in this world."

Theresica smiled and said, "This thing is quite suitable for Ursus. How about we give it to you?"

Vitt used the excuse of feeling unwell to briefly leave. In reality, he urgently met with Feodor and summoned Ursus military personnel.

After receiving an assessment of the prospects for using the new airships from the professionals, Feodor nodded in agreement and handed the matter over to Vitt for full handling.

Vitt hurried back to the phone, and at this point, no one was pretending anymore.

"What does Kazdel need?"

"I need Ursus to help Kazdel deal with Victoria."

"It can be done, but there's a small issue."

Theresica asked, "What issue?"

"If everyone has a weapon, it loses its meaning."

"Please rest assured about that. Kazdel will absolutely not produce this. Not a single one. It belongs to Ursus."

After hearing Theresica's assurance, Vitt reported the situation to Feodor. Although he had been given full authority, it would be too bold to not inform the Emperor about anything at all.

It would seem too bold for both himself and the Emperor.

Upon learning of this situation, Feodor decided to make a gesture, and Vitt conveyed these words to Theresica.

"Ursus guarantees Kazdel that Ursus will not produce civilian airships. In addition, Ursus will provide all technical documents for mortar shells. However, if Kazdel produces military airships, then the friendship between Ursus and Kazdel will cease to exist."

This was Feodor's decision. He believed that Victoria's attempt to project its influence eastward across Terra was overreaching.

Since Kazdel and Victoria were at odds, Ursus supporting Kazdel at this time would earn considerable goodwill. Moreover, a stronger Kazdel could draw Victoria's attention away from Ursus.

Theresica readily agreed to the agreement, and soon, Ursus's war machine began to subtly reveal a bit of its power.

Kazimierz, which had been closely monitoring Ursus's movements, suddenly noticed that Ursus's Fourth and Fifth Army Groups had simultaneously received an excess of supplies, and personnel were moving westward!

This situation only happens during preparations for war! And with two army groups, no less! What are they planning!

Russell was greatly alarmed. Instantly, all troops in eastern Kazimierz began headcount, all personnel were recalled from leave, and had to return to their posts within 4 hours! The intelligence summaries from Ursus also changed from once a day to a report every hour!

12:00, Ursus's Fourth and Fifth Army Groups received excess supplies.

12:30, all troops in eastern Kazimierz began headcount.

13:00, the troops of Ursus's two army groups began boarding transport ships, preparing for march.

13:30, all troops in eastern Kazimierz entered the fortress zone and began transporting necessary supplies to it.

13:40, all auxiliary ships of Ursus's two army groups left their berths.

13:45, the stationed knights in western Kazimierz received orders and began transferring eastward.

Then Russell stayed at the headquarters of the Council, nervously awaiting further developments, accompanied by many high-ranking knights, all of them tense.

They had never faced two Ursus army groups simultaneously, and the Nearl Family's Long Riders were still in Leithanien, helping the Empress stabilize her power!

But just as Russell was growing restless, new intelligence arrived.

'The Ursus fleet has departed from the southern region of Ursus, its general direction is Kazdel.'

Russell: "..."

Fine! Truly fine!

Ursus's Fourth and Fifth Army Groups had jointly formed a fleet. Although their largest naval gun caliber was around 300mm, slightly weaker than Victoria's, they had a total of 300 warships! They were heading at maximum speed directly towards Duke Wellington's First Fleet of Victoria.

Beside them, adjacent to the exercise area designated by Victoria, they also marked out an exercise area of roughly the same size and announced:

'From November 10th to 14th, Ursus and Kazdel will hold joint military exercises in this area. Unrelated personnel are requested not to enter the exercise area during the exercise period, otherwise, all consequences will be borne by them.'

Chapter 100: Things Aren't So Easily Over