Ultimatum

It had been a little over a week since the Lion Kingdom reclaimed its entire territory. Samer had originally seen the hope of restoring his own nation. Yet to his disbelief, despite holding an overwhelming advantage, the Alliance military ground to a halt at the northwestern border of Oasis No. 9. Far from pushing forward, they had even begun digging trenches and constructing fortifications right where they stood. Not only that. What unsettled Samer even more was the news he had gathered from acquaintances in the Lion Kingdom: King Edward was contemplating a political marriage to solidify his alliance pact with the Alliance. And it wasn't just King Edward. Prince Winter had his eye on the unmarried Administrator as well. Regrettably, lacking a daughter of suitable age, he had recently been contemplating adopting a foster daughter from among his subordinates. Even more shameless was a certain duke, who had actually sent his own daughter into the Administrator's temporary residence to work as a servant! What kind of hard labor could a pampered noble lady possibly perform? Was that a joke? He could deduce what the man was plotting with his eyes closed! Utterly shameless! Unlike the Honey Badger Kingdom, the Lion Kingdom had no restrictions on the number of wives a man could take. Moreover, with so many offspring to spare, those nobles who claimed to adhere strictly to tradition did not care in the slightest about diluting or dispersing their bloodline. At the thought that those brazen schemers were truly shameless enough to sell off their own daughters, Samer could no longer sit still. He immediately requested an audience with the Alliance Administrator. In the reading room. Looking at Chu Guang sitting on the sofa, Samer took a deep breath. Intending to cut straight to the chase, he spoke in a solemn tone. "Honorable Administrator... May I ask how you view my humble younger sister, Lady Afuni?" Chu Guang was momentarily taken aback, casting a surprised glance at the young man. Just moments ago, Chu Guang had wondered if the prince had come to complain about the Alliance's slow frontline advance and urge him to hurry up. How had the conversation suddenly jumped to Afuni? After brief consideration, Chu Guang replied, "Afuni is a diligent and inquisitive young lady. Everyone who works with her speaks very highly of her. You don't need to worry about her." Although he had not interacted with her much lately, out of diplomatic consideration, Chu Guang had asked the head of the Merchant Guild about her situation. According to a girl named Shuang Xue, the little princess from the Honey Badger Kingdom was modest, gentle, kind, and decorous, without the slightest air of arrogance or noble temper, and took great care of the library's books. While that glowing praise might have been tinted by personal rose-colored glasses, a person still had to possess genuinely likable qualities to inspire such admiration in the first place. No one developed affection for another without reason. Yet Prince Samer seemed dissatisfied with this assessment, persisting with further inquiries. "...More than anyone else's, I care about your opinion, Honorable Administrator. Or, if I may put it more plainly." Samer nodded slightly and lowered his voice. "From the perspective of the opposite sex, how do you see her?" Chu Guang gave him an odd look. "...No particular thoughts. What about it?" Seeing that the Administrator had completely failed to grasp his hint, Samer felt an immediate headache coming on. Perhaps the euphemisms of nobility held no sway here. Perhaps he needed to be more direct. Gritting his teeth and casting aside all restraint, Samer inhaled deeply. "I have asked my sister, and she holds you in the highest regard. She told me that your wisdom is like the stars in the night sky, and that merely standing beside you brings peace to her heart. If she could, she would gladly talk with you through the night..." Chu Guang coughed dryly, cutting off the man's cringeworthy monologue. "...Say what you came to say. There's no need to beat around the bush with such flattery." If he let this guy go on, Chu Guang was afraid he would cringe so hard his toes would curl straight through the soles of his shoes. At these words, Samer nearly choked on his own spit. He had already spoken so directly, even improvising a romantic poem on the spot! How the hell could he be any more direct?! Having abandoned the last shred of subtlety, his composure cracking slightly, he blurted out, "I came to act as a matchmaker for my sister. Would you be willing to marry her?" *Oh, brother.* *That was all?* Left utterly speechless that this fellow had come all this way at night over such triviality, Chu Guang leaned back against the sofa. "In the Alliance, personal romance is a private matter. We do not mix private affairs with public business, and we certainly don't engage in political marriages." He hadn't expected Chu Guang to refuse so flatly. Samer looked dejected, but before he could try to argue his case, Chu Guang spoke again. "I believe I've said something similar before." "If you have no other business, please see yourself out." ... Leaving the shelter, Samer stood in the square feeling lost and bewildered, yet unwilling to give up just like that. After much hesitation, he headed over to his sister's place. Having listened to her brother's recounting, Afuni let out a soft sigh, closing the book borrowed from the library along with the handwritten notes beside it. Samer glanced out of the corner of his eye at the words on the cover. *Studies in Classical Economics: Contradictions and Evolution of Relations of Production and Productive Forces*. He vaguely remembered that the book she had been reading earlier bore the exact same title. How long had it been, and she still hadn't finished it? "You shouldn't have gone to him." "Why?" Samer bristled at her assertion. Although he indeed hadn't made any progress, he saw nothing improper about what he had done. Those interested on the Lion Kingdom's side were already queuing up around the block. If their side didn't take the initiative, wouldn't they be handing their great advantage away on a silver platter? Looking at her unyielding second brother, Afuni continued, "He likely values the Alliance more than himself. How could he possibly agree right now to a request that might come with strings attached?" Samer replied without thinking, "Where is the contradiction in that? If he values the Alliance more than himself, all the more reason he should consider heirs as early as possible." Afuni shook her head. "Saying such things only proves you do not understand the Alliance." *Did she really say he didn't understand...? Did she understand it any better?* Samer sorely wanted to retort with that, but after considering it, he ultimately held his tongue. Because it suddenly struck him that he had spent the recent period in Fallen Leaf City handling affairs related to the refugee camps alongside Princess Teresa, whereas Afuni had traveled to the Alliance capital of Dawn City to assist with cataloging books. Kept far from the center of power, he might genuinely know less about the Alliance than his sister. Afuni paused, then continued in a gentle voice, "The Alliance does not belong to any single person, but is an alliance formed by all suffering survivors... He often tells people this, and every time he speaks those words, that little girl named Shuang Xue always has a radiant light in her eyes." "Shuang Xue?" "Yes, my friend. And of course, not just her—everyone else as well. They unite beneath the banner of Shelter 404 and pledge loyalty to the Administrator, yet their allegiance does not stop at him. The Alliance belongs to them; it is not they who belong to the Alliance. At first, I didn't understand what kind of kingdom this was, but gradually, I came to realize." "Realize... what?" Looking at her brother, who still didn't comprehend, Afuni said earnestly, "The Alliance is not a kingdom. The Alliance is the Alliance." Her voice seemed to carry a trace of fond yearning—or rather, longing. Samer's expression faltered in slight bewilderment as he looked at this sister who seemed increasingly unfamiliar. When had she become like this? After a long moment, Samer's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he spoke. "...Would you consider changing jobs?" Afuni was startled. "Why?" Samer chose a delicate phrasing. "These books are having too strong an influence on you. You should read something more suited to your age—" "Picture books?" Afuni stared unblinkingly into his eyes. "You said yourself that I am no longer a child. Why would you have me read such childish things? Besides, you know those are fantasies." Samer: "At least they wouldn't give you strange ideas..." Afuni said solemnly, "I don't think there is anything strange about it. Problems do not disappear just because we turn a blind eye. As productive forces develop, the day will come when we must face them." Samer coughed, cutting short her naive debate. "Let us return to the matter of your marriage." Of course he knew those things. However, from the perspective of royalty, that was not something he should be pondering. His duty was to preserve the Honey Badger royal family's rule in Oasis No. 3, and only then consider improving the lives of the subjects living there. That was his obligation and responsibility. Afuni nodded, falling silent as she awaited her brother's disposition. Everyone had the right to pursue their own happiness, but she knew full well that did not include someone born into royalty like herself. The royal mantle had bestowed much upon her, and it was only right that she answer the expectations placed upon her. To cast all that aside for the sake of empty talk of freedom would be far too selfish. "...We need the Alliance's friendship, both now and in the future," Samer paused. "Yet the Alliance Administrator has no interest in the political marriage I proposed. I hope you can take more initiative. Of course... how far to take it is entirely up to you." Hearing her brother's words, Afuni felt a wave of relief wash over her heart. Although she had prepared herself to sacrifice personal happiness for her family, emotionally speaking, she naturally preferred joining hands with the man she admired. How fortunate that she wasn't being forcibly betrothed to someone else. "I understand, but I still must say, you were too impatient in this matter." "Our war with the Legion is not yet over. His Excellency would hardly be willing to direct much attention beyond the battlefield. Bringing it up to him now will only produce the opposite effect." Samer's brow furrowed involuntarily as the reality gradually sank in. He admitted he might indeed have acted in haste. The Alliance's hold in place was likely because they weren't yet ready to advance the front lines, not because they intended to abandon his people. Regaining his composure, he looked at his sister and asked, "Is there any remedy?" Afuni nodded gently. "Of course. If you wish to win his approval, the best way is to produce visible results rather than idling around Dawn City like this and making him think you have nothing to do." Samer humbly consulted her, "Where do you think I should go, then?" Afuni continued, "Returning to Fallen Leaf City would be a fine choice. The Alliance intends to extend roads and railways all the way to Lion City in the Lion Kingdom. As the transportation hub connecting Sunset Province and River Valley Province, Fallen Leaf City's development will be crucial... Every time the Administrator inspects work at the Merchant Guild, that is the place he mentions most. He wants the guild to devise and introduce favorable policies to aid Fallen Leaf City's growth." "Commerce is only one aspect; resettling refugees is an equally monumental challenge. Princess Teresa is quite shrewd—she has been working hard to prove she can handle this task well." Watching her brother sink into contemplation, she went on, "The Alliance has no royal court. Perhaps you should try shifting your mindset." "As for my matter, you need not rush... Our time will come after the war ends, not right now." "Please give me some time." ... *Wasteland Online* Official Forum. Today was as lively and joyous as ever. Having obtained an SSSR-rank divine pet, Luo Yu enthusiastically shared his childcare tips on the forum, while a crowd of bachelors pooled their imaginations to offer him advice. Mosquito was in a heated argument with several strength-build players over whether "Destroyer 2" should be fitted with an electric motor and batteries. *Battle Royale*'s explosive success in Ideal City had turned even Fang Chang green with envy; he was hounding Mole, asking if he needed funds or venture capital. Professor Yang and Brother Ye Ao had lost money and were in foul moods. Especially the latter, who had lost a fortune equivalent to a cup of milk tea. He spammed a dozen consecutive posts demanding a refund, only to be happily rewarded with a forum mute for spamming. Unexpectedly, quite a few people stepped forward to plead on his behalf. A sizable number of onlookers remarked that the forum couldn't survive without its forum pet, just as a watermelon couldn't do without its rind; without Brother Ye Ao's saucy remarks, something always felt missing. Naturally, aside from those fluff threads, what intrigued players the most was content related to the new version. A week had passed since the Beta 0.4 update introduced the "Ocean Trade" system, and players had finally explored all the way to the ocean at the end of the continent! Tail: "Whoa, whoa, whoa! The sea! Tail sees the sea!" Yaya: "The sea?! Where did you see it, quack?" Tail: "Silver Moon Bay!" Jieyan: "Holy crap? How did you end up all the way out there?" Kuang Feng: "Impressive..." Brother Edge: "I searched for ages, but couldn't find an entry for this settlement in the official setting compendium." Tail: "At the southernmost edge of Oasis No. 4! The largest commercial metropolis in the Camel Hump Kingdom! There are so, so many pretty houses, plus yachts and sailboats! By the way, the map in this game is seriously super huge!" Sisi: "Oh! Super huge!" Meat Mountain Steamed Bun: "+1!!! You can even rent boats at the port to head out to sea! The sailors there say if you keep sailing south, you'll see an archipelago!" Jieyan: "Awesome!" Excluding Fang Chang, who had flown to the East Coast, this was arguably the first time *Wasteland Online* players had discovered the open sea within the game. Learning that there were so many unexplored territories, armchair observers and active players alike were thrilled. Right then, a certain sewer war god popped up. Scavenger: "Brothers, anyone who wants to see the sea, DM me ASAP! Let's team up and head south!!! (Smirk)" Qiangren Suonan: "Me, me, me!" Wo Xiang Jingjing: "Veteran driver, take me with you!" ... Oasis No. 9. The northwestern frontline. Sitting inside the frontline command post, Commander Spring furrowed his brow slightly as he examined aerial photographs taken by a reconnaissance plane. "Something's not right..." Hearing his mutterings, Mole, sipping tea across the command table, glanced up at him. "What's not right?" "Look at these photos," Spring said, laying several photos on the table and sliding them across. "These were taken by Goblin Corps planes over the southeastern part of Oasis No. 3." For the sake of these photographs, they had paid the price of two pilots. Yet for such precious intelligence, it was all worth it! Mole peered at the photos, his eyes widening in surprise. Across the undulating dunes stretched hundreds of kilometers of unbroken trenches. Behind the trenches, Legion encampments were scattered like stars. The layout appeared loose and casual on the surface, but concealed a cunning trap; attacking any single position would draw fire from at least two, if not three, directions. "Hiss... That's quite a sizable camp. Must be garrisoned by a ton of troops!" Commander Spring shook his head. "More than just a ton. I'd say at least ten divisions!" "Ten divisions?!" Astonishment washed over Mole's face. One division was equivalent to a myriad legion—meaning they had deployed nearly a hundred thousand men along the border?! Where did the Legion get so many troops! And could their logistics even keep up? "And that's only what's visible. Their supply convoys don't appear in the aerial photos; they're probably stationed deeper behind the lines." Commander Spring paused briefly, then added, "What we're about to face next is likely the Legion's main force!" Mole frowned slightly. "You mean... the clone regiments?" Commander Spring nodded with a somber expression. "Yeah." Individually, those mentally stunted clones might not possess formidable combat prowess, but under the command of junior Legion officers, they fought like undead devoid of fear, battling to the very last man. Their morale never wavered. Neither machine-gun fire nor artillery barrages could compel them to surrender. That was what made them so vexing. Once those clone soldiers gathered in sheer numbers, the combat power they unleashed far surpassed anything the Retinue Army could muster! Spring remembered that back when he was still an armchair spectator lurking on the forum, just as the Pioneer reached the northern outskirts of Qingquan City, Shelter 404 had encountered a Legion clone millenary. At the time, that millenary had been led by Vannus, fielding around two thousand men. They established positions in Yumu District and bombarded the camp in the northern outskirts where the Pioneer was stationed. To wipe out those clones, the Pioneer had deployed virtually every trick in its arsenal, even employing a tactical nuclear warhead alongside player coordination before finally neutralizing that force. Ten myriad legions... And fully equipped with ample arms, ammunition, and supporting fire. Spring felt a premonition stirring in his chest. Their adversaries were about to play for keeps... ... Elsewhere. While inspecting the new industrial zone in Daybreak City, Chu Guang suddenly received a telegram sent from the Bugra Free State. To be precise, it wasn't sent to the Alliance by the Bugra Free State itself, but rather relayed through an informant on General Griffin's behalf. The telegram was brief. Setting aside the opening salutation and concluding signature, it consisted of just two lines: [...You are given thirty days to return the Heart of Steel and all prisoners of war, and withdraw all troops from Sunset Province.] [This is an ultimatum!] Glancing over the telegram's contents, Chu Guang chuckled, paying the warning no mind whatsoever as he casually handed the slip to Lyu Bei beside him. Thirty days? An ultimatum? The Alliance hadn't grown this big by being frightened by empty threats. From the very onset of this war, he had never expected either side to pull their punches. Griffin would inevitably rack his brains to convince the Legion's high command to send more reinforcements from west of the Great Desert. Until these jackals were beaten bloody enough to abandon their delusional fantasies, this war could never end. Merely thrashing the Retinue Army wasn't enough. Sooner or later, the Alliance would have to cross swords in earnest with the Legion's main force. And that opportunity was rapidly approaching. Following half a step behind Chu Guang, Wrench, commander of the First Corps, said in a deep voice, "According to frontline intelligence, the Legion has deployed over one hundred thousand troops along the border, including clone regiments under the direct command of the Legion... I don't believe this is merely a display of force; they likely intend to force a decisive battle before the autumn harvest concludes." Chu Guang had not fallen for Griffin's ruse in the slightest, remarking calmly, "A decisive battle? Nothing more than a final bluff." If they truly possessed the confidence to secure these demands on the battlefield, there would be no need for any ultimatum—they would simply take what they wanted by force. Who in their right mind would drop a nuclear bomb and then turn around claiming they were offering a chance to surrender? It was clear that although the coalition forces of the Legion and the Falcon Kingdom had completed a grand strategic withdrawal before the Alliance could sever their retreat, their current predicament was far from rosy. A vast amount of the Falcon Kingdom's manpower had been funneled to the front lines, leaving normal economic production unsustainable. Combined with the loss of their supply lines from the Bugra Free State, their only recourse was requesting reinforcements from their homeland. No matter how cheap clone troops were to maintain, every single mouth still had to eat, and every rifle still needed to be loaded. Had Project Thunder proceeded smoothly—allowing the Legion, after capturing Oasis No. 9, to immediately march north to conquer the Golden Lizard Kingdom, secure northern trade routes, and leverage the Bugra Free State's markets to barter slaves and resources for equipment—they might have had a shot at bridging their supply deficit. Yet not only had Project Thunder failed, even their contingency plan had gone up in smoke. Relying on the national strength of a mere feudal kingdom to supply such a colossal logistical deficit was practically a pipe dream. Griffin could not possibly be unaware of this. Yet even knowing it, his hands were tied. When all was said and done, they were simply too far from their homeland, and now they were paying the price for their earlier aggressive invasion strategy. Massing one hundred thousand troops on the border and sending that telegram was less an ultimatum than a bluff designed to buy time, aimed at compelling the Alliance to abandon its next offensive phase and switch to defense. "What do you plan to do?" Wrench asked respectfully. Stopping at the doorway of a workshop and looking at the rows of tanks parked inside, Chu Guang curled his lips into a faint smile. "Our enemy gave us thirty days to provide them an answer. I figure thirty days is too long; we won't need that much time." "Seeing as we're on such great terms, I'd say two weeks ought to be plenty!"