[dizkord?: https://discord.gg/UqgavrsYUd]

CRACK

There goes the left hand part of the former Berian throne, making it completely arm-less...

Hošče, Demonic State, 14/10/1702 "...Ugh..." the Demon Lord grunted much to the fear of the ogre commanders present.

"M-My Lord... What's w-wrong?"

"Verkog is dead..." he said with deeper tone "...I just realized that I could no longer sense a life from him..."

To establish his control over the ogres during his first days, the Demon Lord knows where his senior commanders at at any time, anywhere. And now, with Verkog's signature gone, there is only one explanation as to why that is.

"Such a shame..." he muttered "...We do not agree on everything, but he has been quite close since the beginning... And now he's no more... along with half of our army..."

Out of those dedicated to the effort of invading the human lands to their South, none came back, easily leading to the assumption that those significant numbers are as good as gone.

The remaining ogres then looked at each other before back.

"My lord, you have to understand that-"

"Silence, I've heard enough... and broke enough..."

At the same time, he thought to himself:

'Who are they really?'

Then, he sighed, for he do not have an answer for such.

...

The rear hatch of the Naeslagt BMP creaks open, revealing a black bag with a body in it.

"Damn me..." muttered the tired Naeslagt "...This should be the last one right?"

"Tis last indeed"

"Then what are we waiting for?"

One of the Naeslagtlandic platoons of their company had been about with their task of bringing the enemy casualties to the South outside of Hivaheift, achieved by having some of their leased BMPs carrying the bags on top and inside.

Not the best way nor is it one that their Flash counterparts would utilize, but it just works for them.

"...So what are we doing this for?" the soldier spoke while carrying the bag.

"Huh?"

"Why are we doing this?"

"Oh... well, Flashia is going to have these bodies out of the island..." the soldier then grunt as both would put the bag down, lined up with the others "...We're just here to help speed up the process"

"Fine by me but why out and not burying them here instead?"

"Nei, too cold to be properly buried"

"Ah, so that local law about death being illegal here makes sense now..."

The soldier then looked at his fellow with widened eyes.

"...I'm sorry, what?"

"Don't worry about it too much..."

These 2 personnel then stepped away for a little bit, then looking at the rows and lines of black long bags that they have made where one with a distinctive Flash patterns would come over and tally the counts.

"...So what do we do now?"

"Good question"

The body bags are bound to be transported by trucks and go South where it's warmer and more ideal to cover them up under the soil. Some could go to Esterria if they could get the deal through. This no longer has nothing to do with the Naeslagts however, as they already did their part, so for now... they're just thinking what they'd do next.

...

"So you want the good news or the bad news?"

Hivaheift, 14/10/2017 A pair of Esterrian soldiers loaded up with individual equipment sits on a roof of one of many houses partially torn by the counteroffensive with a spotting scope on a tripod.

"Let me have some more good news"

"Whatever you say man. Anyways, we'll probably going to have some more action"

"I don't see how that's good to be honest... I'm sort of tired of it"

"Aw c'mon! Wouldn't it be exciting?"

"Yeah yeah, just give me the bad news"

"We're going to stay here for longer" as the soldier plucked out a cigarette from his box.

"I shouldn't have asked..."

While most of the Esterrian contingent had a favorable look with the actions they have been given, one of their top desires is to get the hell out of Svarher as it's just unbearably cold here.

"Yeah, tough luck..." he brought it to his lips, then reaching for the lighter.

"...So why are we here?"

"Why you're asking?" as he attempts to light it up multiple times to no avail "...C'mon you..."

"I don't know, maybe something to do with the fact that Flashia has eyes in the skies that can see heat or so I've heard?"

"You know that sounds believable at this point..." he commented before he finally succeeds in getting the cigarette lit "...But even the best might not work every time, it just depends on the condition..."

The soldier then swiftly grabs the cigarette out and blew out a puff.

"So... we're here to act as a last resort for whenever that happens?"

"Pretty much... nothing can go wrong with an eye and a spyglass..."

"Ah, I see then..."

The soldier then looked around afterward, met with the sight of their others and Flash doing their jobs and some very few citizens of this island going about as the first to return to the rather barren town.

...

"As we speak today" spoke the War Minister of Geschnokea "The Demon Army in Svarher is no more"

Edesa, Geschnokea The room where the press conference is taking place erupted in applause and cheer from the announcement. The War Minister meanwhile stood in silence with a straight face, only looking around, patiently waiting for them to quiet down.

The cheering would last for awhile, but not forever as it would soon fade.

"...Just last night" the minister continued "The Dominion Navy alongside our coalition partners Flashia, Esterria and Naeslagtland had conducted a counteroffensive against the invading Demon Lord's Army whom illegally took over the government of Beria.

The operation was named Hail, and it only lasted a few hours before it was complete, ending in success as we had eliminated the invaders for once and for all. While we did not lead the entire effort, our contribution is still significant and noteworthy, in fact reports from Flashia suggest that the death of one of the demons' top-ranking leader is directly attributed to our Navy"

The minister then concluded the short briefing of what had happened as of recent.

"If anyone have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them to my best..."

And almost immediately a hand was raised.

"...Looks like this gentleman has one, so what do you want to ask?"

"So..." the man stood up "...I wanted to ask what the National Forces would do in the coming days in Flashia, can you tell me about that?"

"Ah, about that, well... as His Majesty's Government's goal for this crisis of the Northern Edge is to place the Berian crown back to where it rightfully belongs. As such, the National Forces will continue to work closely with our Flashian and Northern Pact counterparts to realize such goals"

...

"What's more" said the Flash Defense Minister "We will enhance our cooperation even further, both economically and militarily, enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries and providing as much facilities for our Geschnokean counterparts to train for the next course of actions"

Barminde, Tilenogtyve Meanwhile in Flashia, their Federal Republic equivalent is also holding a press conference on their own about Svarher and the events surrounding it.

"I see, I see..." muttered a journalist "...Can you elaborate more? I mean the next course of actions?"

"Currently, I am not able to comment on the specifications, however I can say that we will work our way as much as possible to the desired outcome of Beria returned to what it was before the coup"

The journalist nodded while sitting down. In his place, another sprung up.

"Uh, Mr. Dam?" he said "Speaking about Beria, we do have Berians in the ranks of the Foreign Battalion right?"

"That's correct"

"About that... what role will they serve in this effort?"

"Once we got them through training, they will be a part of the future forces that will conduct operation into the Demonic State-occupied Beria"

"...You mentioned operations in Beria there, does this suggest there will be a direct military intervention?"

"Well... if Northern Svarher tells us anything, it's that by this point, diplomatic negotiations is unfortunately off the table, it simply isn't plausible"

"Okay... What does this mean for Reslania? I've heard that they have been facing troubles with Varika and La Ferdina as of recent"

"The Reslanian Confederation does not have to worry. While I do not deny that there has been some loss in effectiveness owing to the reduced presence of Flash troops, we are expecting to rotate more troops back into Gestrae as we plan to have Geschnokean troops to be part of the intervention to come"

The 2nd journalist then sat back down, and then a third stood up.

"I only have one question that nobody here seems to ask for some reason, how did Operation Hail go?"

"That's what I'm getting to..."

...

"Just early in the morning when the Sun hadn't rise yet, the Flash Defense Forces initiated a large-scale operation with the name of 'Hail' with its allies from the Northern Pact, notably Esterria and Geschnokea. Operation Hail aimed to push the demonic invaders out of the island, and at the end of the operation an hour later, they achieved just that.

The operation saw maneuvers of large amount of armored vehicles of various types, breaking through the frontline at a breakneck speed with the Demon Lord's Army not being able to respond properly and as a result were wiped out. Notably, the Royal Army played an important role in liberating the town of Hivaheift alongside their Naeslagtlandic counterparts.

The Demonic Lord's Army as it's now confirmed as far as things go had invaded the island a few days ago, taking three small town to the North including Konrusj Island and a small part of Siersjö. The Flash Defense Forces were caught off-guard at the time, but not before they managed to evacuate every residents out of those town.

And with the demons gone for good, those said residents, now refugees within their own island home rejoiced as now they could return back to their home.

However, another question arises. With Operation Hail finished with the status quo ante bellum restored, it left a trail of destruction on its way. With various effects on town, many people would question whether the Government of Flashia would be able to rebuild the towns to what they were before the invasion" - Esterrian Voice of News

"That's such a great news to hear!" exclaimed Princess Sive of Beria.

Anklev, Gladahjuland As they were hours into another day, the Berian princess-in-exile is flowing in excitement and glee upon hearing the big news at Svarher.

"Verkog is dead!" she shouted "That ogre is dead!"

"Indeed Your Highness..." spoke Niillas, the captain of their exiled navy "...Truthfully, I had a rather high expectation for this country considering that they held the frontline against those wretched demons... but never have I thought would come to the day where Verkog is killed alongside all of them"

"Not to mention they swept them out in a matter of an hour or so I've heard" an associate of the princess joined in "Their military prowess is... nothing like we see here..."

Both Niillas and Sive nodded in agreement.

"Our future is secured" said the princess "Beria is not yet lost, and it will be rightfully returned to its roots..."

...

"It is all done right?" questioned King Madsen IV.

"Indeed it has been done" answered Fosburg.

Aveland, Naeslagtland The report of the counteroffensive's result has now landed in the capital of the former KUG state, this time there was no casualties on their company in Svarher.

"...So then we could now focus only on La Ferdina now that we got some troops experience out of it right?"

"That is the plan but..."

"But what?"

"...Captain Arntt Rosett, the company commander insists on staying there for... reasons..."

"...Let me guess, it's about our only casualty isn't it?"

"That is what I thought of too"

...

"So the thing with Svarher is done?" asked Taras, the president of the Confederation.

Kramovskiy, Reslania "Well, not quite" replied Yehor, the military commander sitting in front of the head of state in his office "From what I can gather from both Esterrian and Flash sources, the Pact is expected to continue its presence for longer alongside Geschnokea"

"I see... and I suppose we're still dealing with those Ferdies and Variks ah?"

"Precisely..."

While the other Northern Pact members sent troops to the North in response to the rising threat of the so-called Demonic States, Reslania has lost count on how many times they had to directly militarily engage La Ferdinan and Varikan troops in small skirmishes since their inception alongside occasional appearance of loyalist irregulars that have a tendency to not last even a day.

This is good, and bad. It's good in that it builds up experience for their Confederation Army, but it's bad in that it means they could not divert their priorities to the economy which is not terrible, not great either. There is also a concern that sooner or later, they will adapt to their tactics.

Taras sighed.

"They never learn do they?"

"You'd be surprised how arrogant a big and... ehem... 'powerful' empires can be..."

...

Presidential Office, Barminde, Tilenogtyve "So if I'm reading this correctly..." said President Simon "...Those Kingdoms Union Gestrae states kept on denying what we had achieved in Svarher..."

"According to multiple reports from the FIIA, yes" replied Axel the NatSec Minister "Not much of a surprise really"

"I figured... Continue on the work and just wait for that time"

"Already ahead of you Simon"

...

"As the smoke of war is now settling on the Northern part of Flashia's Svarher Island, we have some mixed reaction about the outcome to put it mildly. While the coalition as well as Reslania approves and celebrates such a thing, the Kingdoms Union is more complicated.

Notably in Gestrae where the North and South is staring down on each other, the Kingdoms Union Gestrae has been repeatedly bashing on the details of the coalition counteroffensive, claiming all of this is hogwash and propaganda intended to sway public's opinion.

All of this while relations between the Dominion and the Gestraen branch has been continuing to deteriorate as it was quote-on-quote unacceptable for the superpower to work with an uncivilized and barbarian republic, something that has long been debunked since the establishment of Geschnokea's diplomatic relations with Flashia.

It should be noteworthy as the words began coming out, some uprisings took place across the Kingdoms to the South, notably La Ferdina that were soin quashed by the authorities. According to our insiders, the uprisings were intended for the protestors to loudly voice their inquiries about their missing relatives in the military who has never sent a word back for several months. Currently, His Majesty's Government has not commented on this issue" - Dominion Radion Channel

A demihuman bearing features of a sheep walks down the sidewalk on the street where crowds of civilians formerly gathered until the Army stepped in.

While he walks, an armored self-propelled carriage of the La Ferdinan military would turn to this street right in front of him, prompting him to quickly hide into an alleyway and behind some debris left behind.

Northern La Ferdina He has long known the repression that this empire has been imposing on his kind who have been living here for centuries. But it seems that control is only going to be tightened from here on out.

"Zatracení Fercouzi..." (Damn Ferdies....) he muttered to himself.

He stood up after the carriage had gone past, looking around to make sure they're really gone, before turning around into the alley. On the wall to his left, a sign of an arrow pointing upward is inscribed, and next to it is a door with a few steps of the stair.

The sheep man then proceeded to the door, climbing up the few steps, and once there, he knocked on it.

He waits, until a small rectangular portion of the door extrudes inward and slid to his right.

"Ah, kamarád!" his counterpart exclaimed "Vrátil ses!" (You came back!)

"Pusťte mě dovnitř..." (Just let me in...)

"Ano, ano" (Yeah, yeah)

The door was then unlocked and opened for the guy. And once he's in, the door was quietly shut for him. From there, he would make his way around the hallway of the staff area of what normally is just another tavern to a certain isolated spot.

The sheep put one of his knee down and grasp a cord on the wooden floor. He then pulled it up, opening it up a little bit before grabbing the edge by non-dominant hand and then the right after letting go of the cord.

He creak the series of floorboards open in their entirety, revealing a compartment down there, he then climbs down the stair for a bit before getting the rope on the other side of the boards, yank it inward, catching the board with his hand and gently lower it down until it was closed.

After that he would continue inside, moving past some few injured fellow sheep-folk pulled from the mess out there and into the tavern.

"Alan! Hej!" one of his colleagues would call out upon sighting him "Jak se máš?" (How are you?)

"Mám se dobře, Erik!" (I'm well, Erik!)

"To rád slyším... A hádám, že máš něco pro Petra?" (That's good to hear... And I'm guessing you got something for Petr?)

"Ano" (Yep) Alan then taps on the satchel on his right.

"No jo" (I see) Erik nodded.

Alan then navigated towards the office where Petr does his works. He knocks on the door.

"Dále!" (Come in!) was the answer he got afterward from the other side of it, to which, he promptly creaks the door open.

"Petr, Mám, co jsi chtěl-" (Petr, I got what you wanted-) spoke before being cut off by the sight of a human sitting opposing his boss "...Kdo to je?" (Who's this?)

"Ah, ano..." (Ah, right...) muttered Petr "Zapomněl jsem ti říct..." (Forgot to tell you...)

Petr then turns back to the human, clearing his throat.

"Mister, this is my co-worker Alan" he spoke in ICL with an accent then turning back to the sheepman "Alan, tady Alexander, nebo jak si řika" (Alan, this is Alexander, or so he calls himself)

...

been awhile, habe an art I made



It's difficult to make out of, but she's from 217th Brigade

also I secretly edited some shit in certain chapters to be more consistent with the more recent.