Austronesian Empire, Imperial Maharlika, Malacanang Palace, Conference Room
1st Year of the New Age, Thursday, 3rd Week, 3rd Month of Abraham
"God, what a mess! It's been three days since the Orcs landed, and they're still running around like cockroaches," Emperor Maximo muttered as he skimmed through the after-action report and let out a sigh. "This Orc mop-up is bleeding our time and resources dry."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the General agreed. "But we need to clear them out completely, or we'll have a dangerous cancer at our flanks."
"Agreed," chimed in one of the military officials. "Despite our overwhelming victory at the beach, hundreds, maybe thousands, escaped and are now hiding across New Guinea. We can't take the risk of having an enemy there, the Australian wildlife there is brutal enough without adding orcs into the mix. It's better to finish them off once and for all, or we have to spend resources just guarding against them."
Maximo shook his head and glanced down at the report. "30 deaths and 470 injuries from Delta Company. 10 recruits died and 50 injured from cannon fire. We also lost a UAV during the search."
"Your Majesty," one of the senior commanders cut in, "I warned you we should've launched a nuclear strike against their fleet before they gained a foothold!"
The General scoffed. "Have you forgotten the last time we launched nukes on the seas? We had killed two massive sea monsters that were destroying our Navy, sure, but it triggered a massive wave of sea creatures rampaging across the waters in the Imperial Tanah Melayu. Two coastal cities were flooded, and thousands of lives were lost. Even if we wanted to nuke the Orcs now, we can't track them down, not even with our satellites. We'd have to blanket New Guinea with nukes, but there are countless cities there that we've poured billions of Earthians into rebuilding them, and millions of people to heal."
Maximo placed the tablet down. "Estimated Orc casualties at roughly 21,000 on both sea and land. But there are still around 20,000 Orcs hiding on the island." He rubbed his temples. "And that's not counting the 24 dead and 48 heavily wounded soldiers from Alpha Company."
"Your Majesty," the General said as he stood straighter. "The fault is mine."
Maximo waved him off. "No, I am not assigning blame here. No one could've predicted what dangers are in the dungeon. Even with multiple platoons fighting that Boss of that level, they were almost wiped out, even with all kinds of precautions we took."
He exhaled deeply, weighing his next words. "I think we should suspend all further exploration of the dungeon until we consolidate our forces. What are your thoughts?"
The three high-ranking officials exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. One of them spoke up. "Your Majesty, we've been battling external threats non-stop this month without having a proper rest. While the dungeon did offer us substantial rewards, its dangers are just too overwhelming at the same time."
Maximo raised an eyebrow, interlocking his fingers. "So, you're saying...?"
"Stop digging deeper," he replied.
The Army General stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I recommend we stop deeper exploration for now, and limit our operations to Level 2 to meet our resource needs, but avoid any further incursions."
The Air Force General nodded in agreement. "I concur. The risks are just too high, Sir."
Maximo looked at the three officers standing before him and gave a firm nod. "Alright, from now until further notice, all exploration of the dungeon is halted. Harvesting teams can only operate on Level 2, which has been cleared. No one, and I mean no one, goes down to Level 3. Anyone caught disobeying will be prosecuted."
"And be shot," the Army General added with a sly grin.
The Air Force General smirked. "And survivors will be shot again."
Maximo rubbed his face, barely hiding a smile. "Get out of here, you clowns..."
Both officers saluted and left the conference room, leaving one officer behind with Maximo.
"Supreme Commander," the remaining officer began, "Regarding the trade deal with this Exrump Corporation on Aquarius, do you really think it's a good idea?"
Maximo leaned back in his chair. "We're securing a supply line of magic artifacts that even the elves in our custody have trouble producing. Why not take advantage?"
"But it's in enemy territory," the officer countered. "It won't be a stable source of supply. We might lose access at any moment."
Maximo nodded. "I'm aware. That's why I want to milk it for all it's worth before it gets discovered. We'll extract as much as we can while we can."
The officer paused, recalling the list of items. "Most of the artifacts on the list are melee weapons, armor, spatial rings... are you planning to turn our soldiers into magical knights or something?"
Maximo chuckled. "Not quite, but we don't know if our merchant contacts are reliable yet. This is a test, if they deliver, then we'll move forward."
The officer considered this before moving to another point. "And the matter of transporting slaves? According to Captain Riley's report, it's a complicated situation."
"Indeed," Maximo said thoughtfully. "If Riley's intel is correct, the slaves are controlled by the Slave Union, a massive organization equivalent to a multinational corporation back home. Their wealth and security are top-tier, making it difficult even for an empire like ours to intervene without catching the world's attention. But if we can find a way to free them, I wouldn't mind opening our borders to those willing to join us. We lost hundreds of millions during the New Year Tragedy and for the past 3 months. We need to rebuild our population."
"Agreed," the officer replied. "Captain Riley also mentioned a broker named Elom Tusk, who should have a batch of magic artifacts ready for transport within the week."
Maximo pulled up a file on his tablet, reviewing the intel on Elom Tusk. "A broker for Exrump Corporation, with direct connections to Ronald Johnathan Rumpan Irons, founder of the company and a member of the Obsidian Council. They practically control the city of Aquarius."
He glanced at a series of surveillance photos, showing a blonde merman, likely Ronald Rumpan, who appeared to be the mastermind behind the corporation.
"I'm impressed they managed to dig up this much without getting caught. The people in this world... they're certainly an interesting bunch."
The officer looked curious. "If we partner with Exrump and gain access to their artifacts, do you think they'll accept us as long-term trade partners? Even if they knew we were humans?"
Maximo leaned forward and smiled. "That depends on whether Riley can charm his new friends. For now, we wait and see. But yes, I think they'll want what we have just as much as we want what they've got."
The officer nodded. "So, are you authorizing the mission extension beyond the one-month period?"
"Absolutely," Maximo said as his eyes gleamed with excitement. "There's still so much more to learn! And honestly, I'm eager to learn how globalization, capitalism, and all these modern ideas play out in a world of magic and monsters."
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Austronesian Empire, Imperial Majahapit, New Guinea, Jayapura Pupua, Jayapura Mining Station
1st Year of the New Age, Thursday, 3rd Week, 3rd Month of Abraham
In the Mining Complex on New Guinea, the Liberation soldiers were preparing for the next battle while a group of heavy vehicles were shaking the ground along with the Mobile Tank Fortress being readied for deployment.
Lieutenant Colonel Ciaphas Cahyono strolled through the rows of barracks and equipment as he looked around the defensive preparations.
As he rounded a corner near the motor pool, he stopped short and blinked at the sight before him. A group of soldiers, easily dozens, had gathered around two of the base's massive battle tanks. They stood silently with their heads bowed while an Imam, a Muslim priest in his simple robes, moved between the tanks, murmuring prayers as the soft cadence of his voice floated in the air, and the soldiers seemed to listen to every word.
His hands raised in a gesture of blessing and the Imam walked the length of the Mobile Tank Fortress, occasionally placing his hand on the cold hard metal.
"O Allah, Lord of all creation, we place our trust in You as we embark on this journey of battle. Grant this vehicle and those who ride within it Your protection and guidance. May its armor shield them as You shield the hearts of the believers. Let its path be straight, its movements swift, and its strength unyielding, just as Your mercy is boundless. Keep their intentions pure, their spirits steady, and their actions righteous. Guide them with Your wisdom, O Most Merciful, and return them home safely, victorious in Your name. Ameen."
Cahyono furrowed his brow and approached slowly, seeing this scene appeared odd for him. As he neared the group, the Imam caught his eye and smiled gently, nodding as if inviting him closer.
"Ah, Colonel," the Imam greeted him in a respectful manner. "Would you like to join us?"
Cahyono glanced at the tanks, seeing their armored bodies gleaming under the floodlights, then back at the Imam.
"What exactly are you doing?" he asked.
The Imam continued his motions, never breaking stride. "I'm blessing these tanks, asking for protection from Allah over those who will ride them into battle. That they may return safely, and that their strength be tempered with mercy."
Cahyono couldn't help but let out a short dry chuckle. "Blessing tanks? Seems... unusual. Not something you see everyday, blessing a literal war machine designed to level buildings and crush enemies."
The Imam paused and turned to face him directly with a thoughtful expression. "You're not wrong, Colonel. War machines such as these tanks are indeed instruments of destruction, but in times of need, they become the shield that protects the innocent. Is it so strange to ask for divine guidance to protect those who wield them?" The Imam hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Forgive me, are you a Catholic or an atheist? I didn't mean to offend."
Cahyono shook his head quickly and held up a hand. "No need to apologize. Although, you're not wrong that I'm an atheist and I didn't believe in any religion until all this Demons and fantasy shit happened, but I'm not offended, and I don't mind what you're doing. It's just... unusual, that's all. Never thought I'd see prayers said over a literal death machine."
The Imam smiled slightly. "War brings many contradictions, Colonel. Faith can coexist with the harshest realities, even on a battlefield. Whether we seek peace or prepare for battle, the prayer is the same, protection for those we care about."
Cahyono nodded slowly and glanced again at the silent soldiers.
"Fair enough," he said, turning to leave.
"May Allah Bless You, Colonel," the Imam said, "...Or 'May God Bless You', as what half of the population usually says in this glorious Empire."
"Well tha-" Cahyono began to say, only to cut off when his radio crackled to life, and he immediately responded to it.
But after hearing the words from the person on the other end, Cahyono frowned.
"The Green Skins... they are here."