All the officers, including Hilleri and Rommel, turned to Manstein.
"What method, Manstein?" Hilleri asked.
Manstein said, "We still don't know the limits of Chen Si's Thunderbolt Titan transformation. We can provoke a war between Paradis Island and Britain and France, then observe."
"And once we've established his limits?" Hilleri asked.
"Assemble a massive force and spread it out in dispersed skirmish lines to draw Chen Si's attacks until he exhausts his strength. But the soldiers in this force must be utterly prepared to die, because they will face a one-sided massacre.
"I call this force the Suicide Corps," Manstein said evenly.
The extraordinary scheme stunned Rommel. Everyone present was shaken by the plan. Hilleri paused in astonishment, then nodded. "Good, Manstein. From now on, you will have full authority over the Army. You are its Marshal. I entrust the future of the people of Drus to you."
"Yes, Head of State." Manstein raised his hand in salute.
"Next, I want to meet this Marshal of Eldia in person." Hilleri narrowed his eyes.
The following day, Chen Si met with Hilleri, and the two nations signed a non-aggression treaty and formed an economic alliance.
Drus would export 500 tanks, 2,000 military trucks, and 80,000 submachine guns to Paradis Island, while opening trade between the two nations.
In return, Paradis Island would grant Drus 5% of the iceburst stone mining rights and sell it three million tons of iceburst stone annually.
Galgada.
As Marlowe drove Chen Si and the others toward the Governor-General's Office, Chen Si noticed that the downtown streets of Marley's second-most developed and second-most populous city were almost deserted.
"That's strange. Even Cliff Harbor had more people than this," Jean said, puzzled.
"Look over there. It looks like people are lining up," Armin said, pointing.
Chen Si