Orlando I and Enok Revendale, who had suppressed the coup, shared a common vision for the future.
A great war that would engulf the entire world was imminent, and they believed that under the current circumstances, Okhraine could never survive such a war.
In the end, the world returns to the logic of power.
If a nation has a solid foundation and overwhelming scientific capabilities and manpower to support it,
even if there is international condemnation, they will not hide their ambitions.
Even the Soviev Empire acted this way.
As soon as Runetsk separatists rose up, some troops began moving south through the eastern border.
After suppressing the coup, Orlando I immediately protested strongly against the Soviev Empire.
But the response he received was indeed arrogant and dismissive of Okhraine.
[The Okhraine Kingdom voluntarily relinquished its status as a vassal state of the Rus Tsar Empire. This is equivalent to giving up sovereignty over its territory. The legitimate status and territory of the vassal states derived from the Rus Tsar Empire are now in the Runetsk Republic.]
[While we recognize that the current effective governing state of this territory is the Okhraine Kingdom, those who leave the country to join the Runetsk Republic do so by their own free will.]
[The Soviev Empire respects these decisions to the fullest extent and clearly states that this is not an act of hostility toward the Okhraine Kingdom.]
In short, they intend to ignore the matter completely.
Moreover, by stating that this is not an act of hostility, they have even created a loophole to avoid certain sanctions from the international community.
Even though unidentified troops continue to be deployed to the Runetsk region,
they did not respond at all to the demands for clarification based on the testimony of Yegor Ivanov, a high-ranking official of the General Intelligence Bureau, and the bodies of the soldiers who infiltrated Kaieff, along with the testimony of the rebel forces plotting to overthrow the state.
Now, no one in Okhraine could defend the Soviev Empire.
Even the bureaucrats who supported the pro-Soviev policy out of moderation turned completely anti-Soviev.
And in other territories where public opinion about the Soviev Empire was relatively favorable due to its proximity to Runetsk,
hatred towards those who betrayed their homeland began to boil.
All of this happened because Okhraine was still weak.
If this were the Pry Free Democratic State, the Soviev Empire would not have dared to take such bold actions in the first place.
And even if they did, they would have expressed deep regret and pretended to apologize publicly.
– Okhraine needs more friends. Not just alliances or empires that can be easily challenged.
There were only a few years left until the world war.
It was the start of a fierce diplomatic battle.
The first diplomatic battle did not begin solely with Major Lumina Blue.
“Greetings, Colonel Claude Rain. I am Henry Sour, Vice-Chairman of the Union Assembly of the Walter Tri-Countries.”
“Pleased to meet you, Chairman.”
Claude Rain shook hands with the young politician with a pleasant appearance.
No matter how indifferent he might be, he always maintained a proper courtesy when dealing with high-ranking politicians from other countries.
“This is your fourth visit to the Walter Tri-Countries.”
“This is my first time visiting the Union Assembly.”
“It’s rare for military personnel from another country to attend the assembly.”
The reason he attended the assembly was to unofficially “meet” with the Walter Tri-Countries, just like Lumina Blue.
Walter Tri-Countries.
A term referring to three countries in the Walter region near the North Sea.
More precisely, it refers to the Eshto Principality, Rahit Principality, and the last Touren Kingdom combined.
However, they were more often referred to as the Walter Union rather than by their individual names.
It wasn’t a problem because, despite ruling monarchs, they had a strict ‘federal’ political system governed by a 130-member assembly representing the three countries.
Like Okhraine, which gained independence naturally after the collapse of the Rus Tsar Empire,
the three countries, lacking in territory, military, and resources, formed a union and boldly joined the Western powers.
Although the combined territory of the three countries was much smaller than Okhraine,
they had established a robust economy through close financial cooperation among the member states.
Moreover, as the conflict between the Empire Alliance and the Free Union became more visible,
the importance of the Walter Tri-Countries, the frontline and vanguard of the Free Union forces, was increasing day by day.
Therefore, cooperation from the Walter Tri-Countries was essential if they were to oppose the biggest threat, the Soviev Empire.
“But personally, I’m just glad to meet you, Colonel Claude Rain, even if it’s under these circumstances.”
“Your praise is too generous.”
Claude answered dryly but politely.
“Generous? Thanks to you, the soldiers of the Walter Tri-Countries are becoming excellent elite troops.”
“That’s entirely due to the soldiers’ superior skills, not our achievement.”
Even though Okhraine was a crucial country in balancing between the Free Union and the Empire Alliance,
sending Colonel Claude Rain, who was not a formal diplomat, as a representative was due to this very reason.
The brilliant performance of the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion was not just recognized domestically in Okhraine.
The new tactical strategy of deploying mages aboard airships fueled by mana, launching assaults from the sky, and conducting attack operations.
The concept of ‘assault’ itself was revolutionary in tactics.
Not only the Rhinehardt Empire, which provided the airships, but also the Pry Free Democratic State and the distant Britton United Kingdom showed strong interest in this tactical doctrine.
Even the Walter Tri-Countries, which bordered Okhraine, were no different.
Claude Rain was the one who adapted the assault tactics to the local conditions after being sent to the Walter Tri-Countries based on existing doctrines.
Since he already had acquaintances among the officers of the Walter Tri-Countries and some defense officials,
he was suitable for both covert contacts and appropriate etiquette for the vice-chairman.
Afterwards, while chatting with Vice-Chairman Henry Sour,
they naturally moved on to discussing why Okhraine had leaked the negotiations with the vice-chairman of the Union Assembly.
“Regardless, since international relations are divided between the Free Union and the Empire Alliance, Okhraine cannot align with either side.”
“Hmm… I understand. I know what you mean, but shouldn’t Okhraine align with our Free Union in this situation?”
When Henry Sour replied as if he didn’t understand, Claude shook his head and added.
“The alliance and the alliance are not temporary. Moreover, given that the Free Union clearly sees how they will use and discard Okhraine, we can’t simply accept it.”
“…”
The vice-chairman’s expression hardened. He understood the meaning behind the words.
“The biggest flaw of the Empire Alliance is that they all share a common goal. The intensifying nationalism. Even if they have united now with Rhinehardt and the Soviev Empire, who knows if they’ll maintain the same stance after subjugating everyone?”
His bronze-colored eyes flashed. It was a precise insight.
“On the other hand, the Free Union is a force united under the concepts of freedom and justice. Freedom and justice can change at any moment according to people’s tastes. If they think that Okhraine’s freedom and justice are unnecessary for their national interests, they will discard Okhraine like a worn-out shoe.”
Claude never cared much about political systems. He lacked the mental capacity to deal with them, and until now, he had maintained a passive attitude.
But after meeting Enok Revendale, he cleared his past and realized that he was standing right in the middle of creating a new history.
Claude Rain, who had always been sharp in his insights, had long understood the logic of how the world works.
Even a veteran officer’s words couldn’t make the vice-chairman smile honestly.
The Free Union is not the righteous group they claim to be. Like any other, they prioritize their own interests and can change their stance freely.
That too is ‘freedom,’ yet it is ‘justice’ for their own people.
Why did the Walter Tri-Countries become part of the Free Union and receive significant economic aid?
It was simple logic.
It was compensation for directly confronting the Soviev Empire Alliance.
None of the Free Union members want their homeland to become a war zone.
From high-ranking politicians to the lowest homeless people, no one wants to be a war casualty.
The economy achieved by the Walter Tri-Countries was essentially a reward for accepting the enormous threat of war.
It was as valuable as the lives of its citizens.
“I detest such nonsense about self-defense. If such a country existed, it wouldn’t have trembled in fear before those vast empires.”
Claude Rain continued without hesitation, pulling out a letter from his pocket.
It was the exact envelope that Lumina Blue had delivered to the President of Polania.
“This is a personal letter from Orlando I.”
The vice-chairman carefully opened the envelope and read the contents inside.
A ripple of emotion crossed his composed face, and his eyes turned to Claude Rain.
“This…”
“I believe there will certainly be demand in the Walter Tri-Countries.”
Joint research agreement.
The subject of the research is a mobile fortress made of steel.
Machine guns firing dozens of rounds per minute bounce off it effortlessly, and it remains unshaken even under enemy artillery bombardment.
It is the strongest shield and sharpest spear, nullifying even attacks from mages.
Such a factory and research institute were desperately needed by Okhraine.
“Tanks?”
“I will provide you with shares in the military research complex to be established in the northwestern region. This means that the Walter Tri-Countries and Okhraine will jointly manage it.”
The Biyaltock Military Complex was built by the Rhinehardt Empire.
The new factory will be constructed by the Walter Tri-Countries Union.
To the south, in the Azoff archipelago, there will be a naval shipyard of the Pry Free Democratic State.
Free Union and Empire Alliance.
Okhraine now claimed to be a crucial strategic location for both forces, which they could not easily abandon.
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