Summoning Earth [Hiatus]

Chapter 25.1: Imperial Might

May 20, 1639 – Ragna Capital, Gra Valkas Empire

The towering spires of Ragna, the imperial capital of Gra Valkas, loomed under a sky thick with iron-gray clouds. At the heart of the city, within the fortress-like walls of the Imperial High Command, the scent of oil, steel, and freshly printed reports filled the air. A war machine that never rested, its gears turned ceaselessly—preparing, conquering, dominating.

In the central war room, a polished wooden table stretched across the chamber, illuminated by the dim glow of overhead chandeliers. Maps of the world lay unfurled across its surface, detailing every known landmass, every enemy, and every future conquest.

The room was silent, save for the occasional shuffle of boots and the crackle of a radio transmission. The officers standing at attention around the table bore the insignia of the most powerful military force in the known world—the Gra Valkan Imperial High Command.

Then, a sharp voice broke the silence.

"Urgent transmission from the Eastern Conquest Fleet."

All eyes turned toward Communications Officer Cianos, who stood stiffly beside the long-range radio system. His uniform, immaculately pressed, bore the golden eagle insignia of the imperial navy.

"The GVS Barbarossa has encountered an unknown archipelago while pursuing a rebel transport ship. Kommodore Augustin Krieger reports that the target vessel has been eliminated but crashed onto one of the larger islands. Preliminary aerial reconnaissance suggests a chain of islands spanning thousands of kilometers, with unknown resources and no known political affiliations."

A low murmur spread across the room. The term "unknown archipelago" was enough to grab the attention of every officer present. In a world where Gra Valkas had already asserted its dominance over weaker nations, discovering new, unclaimed territory was like blood in the water to a school of sharks.

At the head of the table, Xand Pastall, Director-General of the Military Headquarters, leaned forward. His sharp eyes, shadowed beneath his peaked cap, locked onto Cianos.

"No political affiliations? No known rulers?" His voice was quiet but carried weight.

"None, sir."

Silence followed, before Caesar Roland, the Supreme Commander of the Navy, let out a cold chuckle. "And here I thought we'd have to put in more effort to expand our empire. If what you're telling us is correct, then we may have just stumbled upon our next colony."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mopaul frowned, adjusting his gloves. "We cannot be so hasty. This region could belong to another nation—one we have not yet encountered. There is still much we don't know about this world."

Roland scoffed. "And why should we care? We hold the strongest fleet, the most disciplined army, and the industrial capacity to outmatch any nation on this planet. If these islands are unclaimed, we should act before someone else does."

"Gentlemen," Guinea Marix, Senator and Head of the Hawks Parliamentary Faction, interjected, his voice calm but laced with arrogance. "Let's not waste time with idealistic nonsense. If this archipelago is truly uninhabited or poorly defended, it should be seized immediately. We cannot allow weak nations to claim resources that belong in the hands of the Gra Valkan Empire."

Mopaul's lips thinned. "We know nothing of this land's dangers. It could be home to hostile forces, or worse, a hidden power we are unaware of. We must investigate first, then conquer."

The table erupted into a storm of arguments.

General Mirkenses, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Special Forces, slammed his fist against the table. "You sound like cowards! We did not rise to power by hesitating. If we find a threat, we eradicate it. That is the way of the empire."