Very Wrong Reincarnation: Isekai with Game Nation

Vol. 2 Chapter 2

Surovan, Kashim Continental Alliance

Everyone in the Council of Wise sat in their circle, silent as Cignus's massive military exercises were about to commence in just a week. Their spies reported over a hundred thousand soldiers would be deployed. Chancellor Viram Holias von Wollinberge, head of the Triarch or the Council of Wise, sat at the center of the circular chamber, reading the intelligence reports in silence. The council's silence was evidence of the tension surrounding Cignus's upcoming 3rd Combined Arms Exercises, or 3rd CAE. The white-haired half-elf, half-human broke the silence, addressing the room.

"Cignus has announced their intentions for military exercises as a prerequisite of their doctrine and asserts that they will never attack anyone," he said, though the representatives from the bordering countries remained unconvinced.

"Chancellor," said the Illyari representative, his voice tinged with concern. "Maintaining such a vast military force is not something we can overlook or assume Cignus won't use. We should appeal at the next Eastern Continent conference and request Valur to share our concerns. Together, we can force Cignus to demobilize their military and engage in trade with us by pressure." He looked directly at Viram, seeking his support.

The chancellor pondered for a second, his gaze sweeping through the anxious faces of the council members. "Your concerns are valid," he began slowly. "Cignus's military strength is indeed a threat, and their exercises are unprecedented in scale. However, we must approach this with caution."

A representative from the Kingdom of Estalia, another neighboring nation, spoke up. "Chancellor, we cannot simply rely on Cignus's word. Their show of force is intimidating, and the risk of conflict is too great. If they refuse to comply, we must be prepared to act."

"You can simply say that because Estalia is far from any frontline, let alone the threat of Cignus," the Kingdom of Aloran representative responded. "Your country is not even contributing to the council's interest."

"That's a false accusation."

"I'm spitting facts."

"Enough." Viram hammered his silver staff, making everyone silent. "I understand the situation. But provoking Cignus could have dire consequences."

A murmur of agreement spread through the council.

"Chancellor," said Lady Arin, a representative from the coastal nation of Trinia. "We should propose a joint military readiness initiative among our allied nations, and even to foreign continental powers."

Viram considered this. "Foreign, huh," he mused. Eastern Continent, despite being one of the civilized lands known in this world, is the smallest, advanced in society but generally inferior to contemporary powers and other civilized continents. The sheer scale and power of Valur and their distance from the nearest continent is the only reason they haven't been destroyed or colonized by other continental powers. But right now, Valur was greatly weakened, though not to the point it couldn't force any foreign continental powers to think twice before invading. Also, Cignus, a new unknown militaristic power, is at their back. Furthermore, it's very common for continent-to-continent interactions to be filled with suspicion and paranoia.

"Norvoga, Chancellor, is willing to provide us the ability to create armored ships, landships used by Cignus, and weapons that can fire at an uninterrupted rate," Lady Arin spilled, beginning to ensnare everyone with its appeal, the weapon of a world power-a power far surpassing Valur.

"Norvoga... The second most powerful country in the world..." said Viram. "What would be their request?" inquired Viram. "There's no way a power would share its technology and weapons for free to us, a mere alliance of inferior countries."