meanwhile in xian palace. “nyoohhh!” alam slam the fancy table. “they just blow up the whole fucking mountains to destroy my perfect maze..and my new tank brigade, we doomed”

but later on Alam received the news that the new tanks and Sima Yilin had been captured, and a wave of mixed emotion washed over him.

“well.. i think its a good trade” he sigh, then alam had sense its was good time messing zion. then he contacting zion same like previous chapter.

So The advanced tanks posed a serious threat, especially since he still lacked effective weapons and tactics to counter the formidable Buffalo tanks. Meanwhile, the Red Nation was already rolling out their own new tanks. Alam quickly ordered the captured tanks to be researched, hoping for some reverse engineering magic to give them an edge.

As the chaos of winter warfare escalated, the Yellow Nation sent their own tanks to support Alam. While their European tanks weren't as advanced as the Buffalo tanks, they still offered a glimmer of hope, especially since the Yellow Nation hadn’t fully committed yet.

Back in the hidden lit subterranean city filled by dolls, Alam’s expression shifted from determination to concern.

“Hey, how’s the progress?” he asked, stepping into the room.

Croque was hard at work, surrounded by a mountain of blueprints and diagrams. She looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Ah, you’re back! I’m almost finished with the mud launcher prototype design. It’s coming along nicely!”

“Really? Can it be produced yet?” Alam inquired, leaning in with interest.

“Yes! I can start manufacturing the prototype, but we need to test it first to ensure it works as expected. There are still some details to iron out, like the mud delivery system and how to activate the mixture. It’ll take some time, but I’m confident we can produce a working prototype soon,” Croque explained.

“Alright, let’s try the prototype first,” Alam decided, eager to see it in action.

“Sure! This should be interesting,” Croque replied, a hint of nervousness in her voice. “I’ve been so focused on the design that I didn’t think about testing it before. Today will be the first field test.”

“Let me be your guest,” Alam said, grinning.

Croque nodded, her excitement bubbling. “Let’s do it! I can’t wait to see how it performs.”

“Can you tell me the specifications?” Alam asked, eyeing the prototype on her desk.

Croque explained, “The mud launcher is modeled after an RPG. It delivers a mud mixture propelled by a pressure release mechanism. The mixture is designed to clog tank barrels, effectively jamming them. It has an estimated range of about 100 meters.”

“Seems beautiful! It’s actually pretty light—around 10 to 15 kg,” Alam said, resting the launcher on his shoulder.

Croque watched, pleased with the design. “Yes, it should be a formidable weapon against enemy tanks.”

“Let’s see how accurate it is,” Alam said, pointing the weapon at an empty hall.

“Agreed! This is the first time we’ll actually fire it,” Croque said, her anticipation palpable.

“Fire in the hole!” Alam pulled the trigger.

The launcher fired a projectile that exploded on impact, filling the hall with a thick cloud of mud. The result was impressive; the mud spread quickly, clogging the area. After a few seconds, it hardened, blocking the hall completely.

“Wow, what’s this black stuff?” Alam asked, moving toward the impact area.

The solidified mud was dark and sticky, resembling thick sludge. Croque looked puzzled. “That shouldn’t be there. The mixture was just soil and chemicals.”

“Is it toxic? Should I wear a mask?” Alam asked, concern creeping into his voice.

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Croque’s eyes widened. “It was supposed to be harmless! I’m not sure what this is…”

“Do I need to worry about your mute? Do you need batteries or something?” Alam joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Croque chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not a robot! I’m just a bit puzzled by this unexpected outcome. We should continue testing to see what else this prototype might do.”

“Too bad I don’t know the aftereffects of this stuff. But I think we can start producing the launcher. Let’s aim for 100 units with 2,000 rounds to start,” Alam concluded.

“Sounds good!” Croque agreed, her enthusiasm returning.

Meanwhile at surface, Nalin relished her day off from training, taking a well-deserved break to unwind. She checked her personal communication device and noticed a message from Alam. A flicker of curiosity sparked within her, quickly transforming into excitement as she read his words.

“Hello, dear Alam! It’s been too long since we last spoke. I’m excited and curious to catch up! What do you want to talk about this time?”

Moments later, Alam replied, inquiring about her training.

Nalin’s smile widened as she typed back, “My training is going really well! I’m getting more comfortable with the environment and terrain. My time spent hunting in the taiga has really helped me. I feel more confident in my skills to assist on any mission you need me for!”

Alam’s next message flickered onto her screen, and she sensed a shift in tone. “I see... but I want you to… not participate. Heh.”

A wave of worry washed over her. then she call alam, her voice is genuine confuse “Wait... what? What do you mean?”

“War is unpredictable. Something bad may happen,” Alam warned, his words heavy with foreboding.

Nalin felt her heart sink. “Yeah, I know. But are you saying bad things could happen in battle or here at the base?”

“Perhaps. I just hope the war ends soon,” he replied.

Relief washed over her, and she whispered softly, “I’m hoping for that too. It’s been a long, grueling fight, and I’m getting tired. The thought of peace eases the burden on my heart.”

“Yeah, at least in our minds, we find peace,” Alam said,

Nalin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. “I wish for real peace too. I’m sick of the fighting and the killing. I just want it all to end so we can live without the constant threat of war.”

“I know,” Alam said sympathetically but he know he cant stop her. “But don’t be a hero in battle. Stick to the middle, and if the enemy is too many, just run.” he pause for a long moment and type “It’s okay to surrender”

Nalin’s disappointment was palpable. “So what you’re saying is if we’re outnumbered, it’s better to surrender than to fight to the death? its. sound not patriotic”

alam sigh “Ultimately, it’s up to you. But the idea of living a little longer isn’t bad, you know?”

She pondered his words, her mind racing. “I see... I want to live longer too. I never considered surrender until now, but maybe it’s the best option if it means survival.”

“Yes, this winter war is cruel, but it teaches us to appreciate life more,” Alam offered.

Nalin’s heart sank again. “Yes, it’s really cruel. Each battle is filled with blood and death. But at the end of the day, all this suffering is supposed to lead to peace

“Yeah...” Alam replied softly.

As silence fell between them,

“Now that I think about it, this war isn’t just about death and cruelty. It’s forced us to appreciate every moment,” Nalin said thoughtfully.

“Funny how that works,” Alam chuckled, the tension easing.

Nalin giggled in response. “Yes! It’s not just a bloody war; it’s a lesson in cherishing life. Who would’ve thought?”

“I’ll miss you,” Alam said, the sudden seriousness in his voice catching Nalin off guard.

She fell silent, tears welling in her eyes. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Yes... Train hard and fight smart. You’ll be fine,” he reassured her.

As his words sank in, Nalin sniffled quietly. The thought of losing Alam felt like a heavy weight in her chest. “I promise I’ll work hard and fight smart. After that, we’ll part ways, and this might be my last goodbye.”

“Why do you talk like one of us will die?” Alam teased lightly,

“Please don’t say that! What if it’s you who ends up dying instead? What if I’m the only one who survives?” Nalin whispered, anxiety creeping into her voice.

“Only Gott knows what’s next. All we can do now is pray,” Alam said, his tone softening.

Nalin nodded slowly, a sense of solemnity settling between them. “Yes, praying seems to be all we can do right now. Regardless of what happens, I’m glad the war is slowly coming to an end. At least it won’t be as dangerous as before.”

“Yeah, take care,” Alam said softly. He paused, then added, trying to lighten the mood, "Hey, have you tried that new ration bar? The one with the… dehydrated apples? It's not half bad." then to ease her feeling. alam shift conversation into more mundane one. talking about her dialy life and stuff

As the war raged on, things were getting messy. Manchuria and Central Asia were turning into a real bloodbath. The Red Nation's giant Strato Cannon was smashing True Horde tanks left and right, but the True Horde wasn't just taking it. They were hitting back hard, messing up the Red Army's plans and causing serious trouble. It was a real back-and-forth slugfest.

While everyone was focused on the fighting in Central Asia, the Jozen pirates were getting bolder. Remember that tsunami the Strato Cannon caused in the Pacific? Yeah, that wrecked one of their underwater cities. So, they decided to return the favor by raiding Zion's ports and coastal towns. Villages were getting hit hard – people either killed on the spot or dragged off as slaves. Down in Mexico, Zion's ground forces had taken over the whole region and were pushing south, trying to link up with their allies, the Crimson Eagle, in the Amazon. Speaking of the Amazon, La Buse and his submarine were cruising around, causing chaos and attacking any settlements they came across.

And over in what used to be Britain, things were even weirder. With the sea levels rising, Britain was now just a bunch of islands. The Yellow Nation was using those islands as a giant shield, trying to stop Zion's mercenaries from landing. Their coastal guns were firing non-stop, trying to take down the swarms of launch pods Zion was using to ferry his troops and his vassal nations. It was a total free-for-all.

"Fang," Alam said, leaning back in his chair, "there's this big world conference at the end of the year. I'm not going. You go in my place. Tell everyone what's happening here, remind them the Red Nation isn't unstoppable."

"Sure thing," Fang replied, nodding. "The world needs to know the True Horde isn't backing down. But why aren't you going yourself?"

Alam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just… I really don't want to be in the same room with Zion right now."

Fang gave him a knowing look. "I get it. He's… intense. But this isn't just about avoiding him. This summit is about all the important stuff happening globally. Skipping it could cost us a seat at the table."

"Yeah, you're right," Alam admitted, rubbing his chin. "We've got the Golden Caravan and the Shangri-La Confederation on our side. They see us as a buffer against the Red Nation, so they’ll probably back us up. But I'm not holding my breath for help from anyone too far away."

"I understand that," Fang said. "Relying on distant allies is always risky, especially with things this crazy. But going to the conference is a chance to show the world we're united. It could help us build stronger alliances and prove the True Horde is a force to be reckoned with."

Alam chuckled, a genuine smile finally appearing on his face. "Alright, I trust you, Fang. You always know what to do."

"Thanks sir. I’ll do everything I can to represent the True Horde and get our message across. We need to rally support if we want to win this," Fang replied, his voice firm.

Alam nodded slowly, his gaze drifting towards a map of the world. The lines of conflict crisscrossed the continents, a stark reminder of the widespread chaos. He looked back at Fang, a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Well then… may Gott bless us," he said, his voice low. "Because it feels like we're all standing on the edge of a cliff."