"If that's the case, I have an idea. We abandon the sea and establish defensive lines in the zone between three hundred and thirty kilometers from the coastline. That area is right within our air force's combat radius, and your Soviet Army's airships can reach it too. At the thirty-kilometer mark, the navy can combine with Suros's most advanced land-based rocket artillery to form a dense, interlocking web of fire from land, sea, and air."
"That is already the greatest firepower we can muster with all the weapons humanity possesses."
"Perhaps we really should be grateful that Germany and Suros went to war, trying every possible means to develop more advanced weapons to destroy each other. Five years ago, we would have had no chance whatsoever of resisting the Rumbling," Manstein said.
"So we should thank you people of Drus for your expansionism?"
"You people of Suros were hardly any better."
Manstein and Ivan traded remarks, leaving the generals from Inledi and Farnsi beside them looking distinctly unhappy. Their homelands were under occupation.
"General Pétain, General Singil, if we win this battle, we will withdraw from your countries. Please commit everything you have," Manstein said.
"As I said, we have no choice," Singil said.
"I know whom I should hate before I hate you people of Drus," Pétain said.
"If we must hate someone, let each of us hate ourselves. If we had never provoked that island, perhaps there would be no Rumbling today. Unfortunately, there is no point in saying that now. Gentlemen, for the sake of human civilization, I ask this of you." Manstein bowed first.
At his words, everyone's expression grew solemn. The generals had long since cast aside nationality and race, and they bowed to one another in a gesture of the highest respect.
At that