Those beasts came from the sky, razing our dear home, destroying the promised land.
The Fatherland, 520 United Calendar
It was on a chilly morning as always. I was on my way on to my office. The Kingdom of Clifford has always been called white menace. It was not because of how scary our kingdom was, on the other hand our kingdom is pretty pitiful. Despite the start of technological revolution happening at the start of century, advanced technology didn’t bring about a better land for us.
Our Fatherland is located near at the end of the world, very close to the territories of those secluded dragons. The edge of the world is not really a nice place. Spring is colder than a milkshake, summer is just about room temperature, let alone autumn and winter. Spending our days in minus temperature has become norm.
But that is our home. Lack of imported goods never bothered us. Ever since we were children our forebearers always preach on how Clifford is harsh place, yet it was the promised land. It’s 600 years long history is a firm testament of that. A kingdom older than time itself. Clifford was the first country to step onto technological revolution. This alone cement the fact that this white land is our home and promised land.
Despite the cold, I can see a lot of kids running around in the bright alley, their parents sipping cup of coffee in café nearby. Occasional bike would pass by delivering goods into or from a building. On some road junction you would see rows of carriage waiting for passengers, some offering them a meal for today’s work.
A pleasant noise, a pleasant morning. I would hope for nothing more than this to continue for eternity.
…
“Declaration of war? I didn’t hear that wrong did I, High General Erwin.”
The entire hall went silent. It was cold at the start of spring, but even that cold couldn’t bring upon serenity to this hall’s atmosphere.
Who wouldn’t be dumbfounded? Every high-ranking official in this hall including Your Majesty the King of Clifford, knows too many facts for this piece of news to be an actual news rather than some jokes made on Clown Day. Peace have been ongoing for 500 years for the entirety of earth. Sure, technological revolution have brought us some amazing piece of technology leading to a cold war of some sorts among first world countries, but even in the middle of those, our country has always been on the forefront of weaponry. We even tested the very first Air Force on summer two years ago! To this very day those pompous self-proclaimed first world countries can’t even make their own damn prototype.
“Yes, Your Majesty, Greenland Port have received a declaration of war from a Dragon, no it might be more accurate that they demand the whole Fatherland territory and for us to prepare feast as their newly appointed servants”
Not caring in the slightest of my inner monologue, High General Erwin continued his report.
“Ignorance! Who do they think they are? They don’t even raise a finger 500 years ago and now they want to take our Fatherland? Fools!”
Indeed, dragons is an almighty being, in the records as early as our Kingdom’s creation it has been stated that they’re a highly magically attuned being. Unlike humanoid that can only affects their body, dragon magic is basically a natural disaster. A single breath could wipe out an entire district of buildings. In hindsight this was the very reason why our ancestor worshipped them before, but as conflict of the First War heightened, despite whatever appeal we sent, dragons who consider us as servants didn’t lift a single claw to help. Instead, they migrated to the North Pole for whatever reason that has been lost in historical records.
“It has been long since their retreat, we have found ways to utilize prana and make our own magic. Do these dragons really think we’re still as helpless as before?”
The Round Table went into chaos. One General say we have to exercise caution, another Minister raged on how we should massacre them like lizards they are. Both have points, Dragon was strong magically, but we haven’t fiddled our thumbs for the past five centuries, each noble houses have come up with amazing techniques overcoming human limitation on prana. If our engineer can hold their head high for technological advancement, the noble houses can keep their dignity up with their study of prana and magic.
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On the other hand, it was not wrong to tread with caution. Dragons are ancient being, their lifespan reached centuries. They were also the first being to ever realize the use of prana before human. Only God knows whatever magical secret they’ve uncovered in span of 500 years.
Quite honestly, this was not what I expected when I was summoned to the Round Table this noon. As soon as I finished my daily report on the research of aerial battle, I was summoned by Supreme General to accompany him alongside his adjutant attending an urgent message from Port Greenland. The phrase Round Table alone was unbelievable. Me, a mere First-Class Major was actually invited to a meeting with His Majesty the King itself. Not to mention Dragon’s declaration, I don’t know what the hell did I dreamt of last night to get me into this juncture.
A glance at Supreme General beside the King and Prime Minister, I could clearly tell that he already knew of this news. Not really a surprise, Intelligence Division is directly under Army’s highest staff. Of course, the news has to go through him before he decided to call upon an emergency meeting. Would you look at that, he’s raising his hand.
“Gentlemen, a moment.”
A single soft request filled with prana was reverberating throughout the entire hall. Not too loud, not too soft, simply a request filled with strength considering the noise from many people that have drowned common sense.
“Regardless of their intention, based on our short ramble it does seem that none in this very hall wishes to see those dragons doing as it please.”
Yes, not a single one sitting in front of this oak table think those dragons can follow up to their arrogance. In the last 20 years, it was not only mechanical advancement that has progressed rapidly. Magical knowledge has been following just as fast. None in their right mind can take these dragons who has been sleeping for hundreds of years and playing around with princess all over the world seriously.
‘Although, if I may be so arrogant, I was the one that have kickstarted both revolution’
Pridefully, Supreme Commander requested the whole meeting.
“With this declaration in place I suppose it would be kind for us to greet them, no? I propose we send in our newly formed First Aerial Unit, Valkyrie, to test the water.”
Right that instant the whole halls attention went to me who was standing behind Supreme General. What a tension, I wonder if this is what a criminal in execution ground would feel, albeit for a whole different reason. I can only keep my perfect posture for them to gawk at.
“First Class Major, Atlante Winter. Honestly at this point I can say you’re the most famous person in the entire Clifford. Not mentioning your contribution in another field, you even become the youngest Major in the Army. Winter Household sure have been blessed to have a splendid daughter like yourself”
Becoming a soldier was only a mean for an end. An end where I can freely wield my favourite toys freely as an officer, prana. In this country prana was regarded as an amazing thing, all citizens are allowed to use prana. Although huge percentage of people who have prana are nobles, commoner was not forbidden from learning it, as long as you have the right licenses. With this much freedom, research on prana is still regarded as a highly volatile act, and is restricted heavily. The Army on the other hand, with its strict rules and hierarchy, are allowed on research befitting of their rank. Basically, if you go to the army, not only will you get great teacher, you’re even given budget to research on your favourite thing about prana. All for the good of country and royal family line. That is why most nobles went to Army to further their house research, strengthening their ties as royal family guard dog.
“Your words honour me Your Majesty.”
Instead of an army salute, a noble like bow would be better for His Majesty. So, I did just that.
“I’ve seen your demonstration on how important an aerial battle is, you think you’re up for a stand against a dragon, one who rule sky himself?”
Choosing my words carefully, one that won’t disappoint both my family and the army I am currently in. An answer too strong is not befitting a noble lady such as myself, yet a meek answer was never right as an army officer. A gentle Noblesse Obliges, perfect for one who defends her Fatherland.
“Compared to the mighty dragon I myself won’t be a match at all, yet with our country honour on the line I’m sure my battalion won’t fear mere beast, Your Majesty.”
A smile was plastered on his face, an expression I’ve seen many times during my 23 years of living in this world. One whom he always directed to his family member.
“Splendid, gentlemen we have our first course of action, now shall we talk about any other possibilities that may have occurred due to the crazy action of these damned dragons?”
…
January 17th United Calendar, it was the start of first conflict after 500 years of loving peace.