Chapter 69：Total War (Epilogue)

For the first time in the entirety of its existence, the War Room of Maximinus palace was filled to the brim with every member of the Imperial Army who had any level of authority for the first major War Conference.

Typically the Imperial Army ran on a 'need to know' basis and as such only a few select groups were present at the prior War Conferences. However, this time was evidently different.

Of course, those who made up the highest level of authority within the Imperium; the royal and imperial family of the noble Dunnwal house was also present. Each of them sat on a rather comfortable looking seat atop a stand opposite to the crowds.

The crowds themselves consisted of multiple 'blocks' of men who lined up into three columns. Each of these columns representing one of the three Imperial Army Corps. The army corps in the middle being the 999th Omega Corps while to its left was the 101st Alpha Corps and to its right was the 363rd Gamma Corps.

Each and every person who made up these 'blocks' had noble blood running in their veins and had graduated from the Officer Cadet Academy.

The colonels had to simply stand in an orderly and organised manner towards the backends of the War Room while those of a higher level of authority were privileged with seatings closer towards the stands. Despite this, that still didn't change that they were all lined in perfect symmetry and stood within the column of their army corps.

However, the highest ranking noble within the Imperium; the emperor himself was not enjoying the luxury of a seat.

Instead like the colonels, he was standing up. The only difference being that he stood up in front of the crowds atop the stand, while his siblings remained seated behind him to his right. With all eyes pointed towards him, Maxwell spoke up.

"Proud men and women of the Imperium! Today marks another important milestone in the Imperium of Drussia's history!"

With a voice loud enough to echo throughout the War Room, Maxwell made his speech to everyone present.

"From this day onwards, one of the old obsolete kingdoms of antiquity; the Kingdom of Porrand was completely and utterly eliminated! And in its place stands the proud 'Protectorate of Porrand;' our very first vassal kingdom to be welcomed into the Imperium's loving fold."

As Maxwell spoke, everyone else within the War Room remained completely still and silent as they attentively listened to their emperor.

"Proud officers of the Imperial Drussian Armed Forces! I would like to commend you for your contributions towards the future of Drussia! Even if you did little to contribute towards the grand scheme of things, even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant input is appreciated!"

Maxwell paused for a moment to let what he said sink in before he continued.

"However... that does not mean that-"

...

"-that we can afford to be careless."

Within the confines of a dark room which was lit by single candle set, Michelle and her closest confidants and most trusted commodores gathered around the table as their leader; the royal admiral; Michelle made her speech.

"The first crusader incursion was only the beginning. Our foes will surely not go out without a desperate fight. Conflicts will only escalate from here on out. The challenges we face will become greater. The possibility of risks only multiply. And with those increases in challenges and risks, so does the reward. Surely everyone here is aware of that."

Michelle paused to ensure that everyone heard what she said before she continued.

"Even as the perils rise we-"

...

"-we will of course rise to meet them!"

In the metaphorical and literal spotlight of the stand, Maxwell continued to make his speech to his subordinates.

"Let our enemies come! Let them all come! Whatever harm that they may bring to us! We will only return to them tenfold! However, we will not sit idly and watch as our enemies continue to harass our nation and its good peoples!"

Maxwell raised his curled fist into his air as he shouted, filling the atmosphere with a tense and patriotic tone.

"In the near future, we will once again set out against these despicable 'nations' and we will crush-

...

"-crush them all under the heel of our military might."

Michelle gradually began to raise her voice even higher as she made her final proclamation.

"As such, this only leaves us with just one question left to ask..."

...

Maxwell raised his voice even higher as he made his final proclamation.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

...

"Are you ready for total war?!"