Chapter 161: Mission Control(1)
It's been two days since the Orc invasion of New Guinea. While humanity claimed victory, they paid a steep price as nearly 500 men and women had lost their lives in defense of the Motherland against the Green Tide.
In the aftermath, much was learned from the battle with the Orc Horde.
First, there were the ethereal threats. Without the intervention of the Elven Queen's magic, the newly-formed Omega-191 unit would have faced certain doom, and the necromancer that had possessed one of their own, without the Queen's aid, that menace could have been a new problem. Now, the entire government is focused on developing countermeasures to permanently neutralize such threats.
Despite their improvements in surveillance systems, they proved woefully inadequate during the invasion, as the Orcs had somehow disrupted them, slipping past unnoticed and leaving the defenders blind. The need to advance technology, one that can resist even these disruptive spells, has become critical, though such progress will take time.
Furthermore, the use of teleportation spells also poses a grave threat. It was this very magic that enabled the Orcs to launch their invasion undetected. The government has since begun working with scientists and elven magical experts to solve this problem and create jamming systems capable of preventing such spells from being cast on their soil.
However, no significant progress has been made on either front.
In response to the growing threat of necromancy, the government introduced a Mandatory Cremation Policy. To prevent the dead from being exploited by future necromancers, all deceased must be cremated. Additionally, they are racing to locate the remains of those lost during the last Demon Invasion to safeguard them from being reanimated.
After witnessing the battle with Riley's team and the inhabitants of this world, they noticed that their conventional bombs, shells, and munitions are not consistently killing enemies due to their passive magic shields. They urgently need to develop weapons that can more effectively pierce these defenses more efficiently, without relying on advanced armaments.
Fortunately, the newly invented Magic Rifles were the closest ones, but they have shown limitations. While they are effective against lower or mid-tier enemies, they have difficulty penetrating against higher-level threats above Level 7, particularly those above Level 10, like the powerful Transcendents.
Their defenses, both raw and magical, are proving to be a major issue. During the Tempest Scions' recent mission against the necromancer, even the latest magitech guns were almost useless. As a result, the government has shifted focus and invested more time and resources into research for long-term solutions to break through these defenses.
On a positive note, scientists have made significant advancements in magical technology. Exosuits, such as the MK-I Armor, have been introduced, but their greatest achievement so far is the possession of Magic Storage Artifacts capable of storing anything in a small pocket dimension. These rings allow a single soldier to carry enough ammunition and weapons to equip an entire small army, resolving logistical challenges that have plagued military operations for generations.
However, there remains a major problem with these Spatial Storage Artifacts, which is that they require Spatial Magic to create, which is an extremely rare magic attribute even in the standards of the Third Civilization Zone. Neither the scientists nor the elves in their custody possess the necessary magic or resources to produce more.
The only viable option to acquire additional rings is through the markets in the Free Trade City of Aquarius. As a result, Riley and his team, the most experienced Special Operatives in that city, are scheduled to return there in the coming days.
Speaking about Special Operatives, it has now been two months since the nuclear submarines carrying the other teams arrived at their designated locations.
They've been continuously, without fail, establishing information networks across the kingdoms.
Though there were some problems that arose, the most significant occurred in the land of the Mermen. The special operations team deployed there was forced to evacuate, as they lacked the advantage in the ocean, where the Mermen dominated. Although the Mermen have a nation above the water as well, the terrain was too unfavorable for the operatives to maintain their position, so they retreated with haste.
Luckily to them, the Mermen never detected their presence, nor did they spot the nuclear submarine hiding in the ocean depths. Had the operatives remained there, they would be discovered too early, which could have compromised their mission.
Following their retreat, they were reassigned to assist the team in the Kingdom of High Tarxa, increasing the number of soldiers which effectively reinforced the forces stationed there. Conveniently, High Tarxa is the closest nation to the Austronesian People's Empire, making their presence even more strategic.
The Austronesian People's Empire responded swiftly to Floria Melian Shelberry's call for assistance, and in doing so, they undertook a thorough intelligence-gathering mission on her nation. Special operations officers are tasked with documenting weak points, political dynamics, and all sorts of things, so they will have a thorough understanding of how their society works and its various customs, traditions and cultures that exist.
This in-depth knowledge will be critical when the time comes to implement the reforms agreed upon by Floria Melian Shelberry and the Empire's government.
These reforms are designed to be introduced with care to make sure that Melian can enforce them smoothly. The goal is to ease the commoners, particularly the enslaved population, into accepting these changes and minimizing resistance.
The Austronesian government, along with its Emperor, has no desire to establish a colony. Instead, they seek a mutually beneficial partnership with Melian's nation. However, the Empire has naturally become the more dominant party in this relationship. Nevertheless, both nations are expected to be treated as equals, as long as the promised reforms are faithfully executed.
A key point of the Empire's policy is its restriction on the sale of modern weaponry. The Emperor has imposed a ban on selling any technology less than eighty years old. As a result, the only weapons made available to Melian's nation will be outdated firearms, particularly bolt-action rifles from the Austronesians' great war.
Similarly, old obsolete warfare tactics, especially those effective in trench combat, will be taught to any human resistance group or a human military force that Melian planned to form once she reclaimed her throne.
While the Austronesians will manufacture tanks and aircraft for Melian, these will be heavily downgraded versions, similar in strength to the tanks of the Great War in the Austronesian world. This limitation will remain in place until Melian's nation is fully pacified and the reforms have taken root. Even after that, restrictions will only be slightly loosened, reducing the technology gap to fifty years, meaning World War II-era weapons will eventually be made available for sale.
To facilitate this strategy, a specialized military industry will be established for the production of obsolete equipment. This will allow the Empire to sell older weapons at exorbitant prices to other nations aligned with them or part of mutual benefit treaties. Allies will receive discounts, though the weapons will remain expensive regardless.
The Austronesian People's Empire has imposed strict measures on the distribution of sensitive information and technology, especially regarding nuclear energy, rocket propulsion, and jet engines. These technologies are forbidden from being shared with the outside world, and any breach of this mandate will be met with swift and severe punishment.
The Imperial Secret Police, tasked with guarding these secrets, have been empowered to execute anyone caught selling such information.
The reach of the Empire's intelligence apparatus is extensive. Both the Intelligence Division of the Austronesian Constabulary and the Imperial Secret Police are to not be underestimated for they are present in every aspect of daily life within the Empire. Their eyes and ears leave little room for dissent to make sure that the Empire's hegemony remains unchallenged.
This dominance, however, is framed as a mission to bring lasting peace to a chaotic world. The Empire envisions a future where the right and the left wings unite, where both conflicting ideals are harmonized for the collective good. It seeks to foster unity by finding common ground, believing that humanity's advancement depends on cooperation, even between opposing ideals.
However, these aspirations are to be held in reserve until the Empire recovers from its current state, and when the Empire regains its strength, the old barbaric ways of this world will be shattered and reformed.
No longer will the Austronesians be the powerless victims, cowering before great powers. Instead, they will become the shield that defends humanity and the weak.
Arms will be distributed, and revolutionary ideas will spread, igniting change.
In time, the Austronesian People's Empire aims to become the centerpiece of a new world order, leading a reborn Internationale.
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Kingdom of High Tarxa, New Tarxa, High Elven Ville, Tarxan Palace
1st Year of God, Wednesday, 4th Week, 3rd Month Of Abraham
The palace of High Tarxa stood tall above all else in the city of High Elven Ville, a symbol of its rulers' . Within the grand throne room, Acheron, the ruler of the kingdom, sat upon his throne while surrounded by women of different races, which mostly seemed to be sex slaves were on the arms and knees of Acheron.
Almost every part of Acheron's body was buried in the breast of women, feeling warm as the man's hands casually roamed, squeezing and fondling them from time to time as he cast lustful glances at the others in the room with perverted eyes.
It was the pinnacle of shamelessness to harass women in front of the public, but such debauchery was not shocking here as it was nothing but a common thing.
In this world, inferiors and slaves were objects to be used, which their only purpose was to serve and submit. Even their basic sustenance was given solely to prevent rebellion. Sex slaves, however, were treated slightly better than the rest, as they needed to keep the beauty of their bodies in prime condition to make sure their appearance remained pleasing for their masters to enjoy at will.
Despite the degrading acts forced upon them, the transfer of magical bloodlines was not a concern for the elite. Simply engaging in intercourse with inferiors did not pass on magical power, unless specific rituals were performed. Without these rituals, any offspring born from such unions would be manaless, powerless, and doomed to the same fate as their parents.
Here, the concept of race or national identity was irrelevant as magic was the only mark of superiority.
Even among elves, some were regarded as inferiors as a result of generations born without magic. These people were treated as nothing more than "water buckets," a derogatory term for vessels used to relieve the sexual frustrations of the magically powerful.
For those with magic, there were ways to prevent conception altogether, spells known as [Contraceptive Magic].
When this magic was first introduced, Melian had banned its use. But despite her decree, people secretly practiced it. At first, they believed Melian's ban was driven by her conservative side. But over time, they learned a deeper, more terrifying truth when they used [Contraceptive Magic].
And it's that it could invoke the wrath of the Elven Goddess of the Holy Light, causing anyone to experience tremendous pain on both of their bodies, their private parts, and their souls to those who dared.
As a result, many women of magic wouldn't dare to use the spell, unless… of course, if they are masochists.
And even then, there was little societal consequence for those who conceived through these liaisons. So long as the magical elite did not acknowledge the children as their own, the offspring were relegated to the ranks of the inferiors, unnoticed and uncared for by society or religious authorities.
To the magically superior, the inferiors should be grateful for such encounters. To be used by someone with magic was seen as the highest honor the powerless could ever receive, a twisted belief that upheld the caste-like structure of their world.
Panning back to the perverted king.
"Report!"
A knight in shining armor stepped forward to deliver his news.
"Your Majesty, the attacks by the Magic Beasts at the borders are escalating. The army is requesting additional funds and manpower to reinforce our defenses. Additionally, movements from neighboring kingdoms' armies have become more frequent, as if they are preparing for something. Our intelligence is limited, as we've lost more than half of our navy. I recommend expanding our naval forces to better monitor the seas, as an invasion from the water could stretch our army beyond its limits." The knight finished.
King Acheron, alarmed by the possibility of being invaded, immediately took action.
"Very well. We shall increase the amount of budget and allocate more resources to both the army and the navy. We are in a very tight spot at the moment, largely thanks to that bitch Melian, who destroyed almost our entire navy with her in the depths of the ocean!"
At the mention of Melian, the various ministers and knights around the room erupted into a chorus of curses and vile insults with vulgar words, cursing the name of Melian.
"That bitch!"
"Traitorous scum!"
"That slut!"
"Curse her name!"
"That homophobic fuck!"
"...Woman."
"Tha-"
"Silence!"
Acheron's command cut through the air, and the room immediately fell into an uneasy hush, stopping their murmurs and kept silent under the presence of their king, whose piercing gaze swept across the chamber and quelled any further outbursts.
"Now, ministers, your reports, and be fast about it!" he ordered, feeling his patience wearing thin, while increasing the time of fondling the breasts of the woman and sometimes touching them down below.
As the ministers went to organize their updates, Acheron was getting horny and horny as his mind was clearly elsewhere, consumed by thoughts far removed from the weighty matters of the kingdom.
The business of the court continued, but it was clear the king's focus was somewhere else, eager to finish the meeting.