Author Notes:
MERRY NEW YEAR~!
I know, it's like some minutes late, but I do have a good reason! I was way, way too busy vetting the next batch of images for the RM album lol
For better or for worse, these images are now obscenely heavy in size, more than 25 MB each picture, I think?
Anyway, Mom and I wish you all, readers, patrons, and everyone else, a wonderful 2026! May all your desires come true or being one step closer with each passing day!
Cheers! And don't forget to check out the very special Monthly Recruitment Drive on Patreon. For once, it will be a shocking 35% discount on all tiers for first time Patron! The offer is valid starting from now to the 20th of January!
https://www.patre-on.com/Heartbreak117
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Yuki Royal 1: https://postimg.cc/561QXfDp
Yuki Royal 2: https://postimg.cc/w3Dsx14W
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"The fuck...?" Says a tired Erusean sentry upon spotting something odd in his usual stargazing duty. The man barely finishes his short sentence when a 20000 kg T-12 Cloudmaker, travelling at supersonic speed, crushes him into indiscernible paste before penetrating deep into the foundation of fortress Neptune. The sound and shock from the bomb impacting the fortress come before its supersonic blast; both only give the Erusean garrison a blink of an eye before the Cloudmaker detonates with catastrophic effects. Fortress Neptune, situated above a seaside cliff, maintains a solid foundation that is thought to be capable of withstanding long-term shore bombardment. Yet, none of that matters when the foundation itself is gone, turning into mush by the 20000 kg bomb as the entire cliff face collapses into the cold North Sea and brings with it the fortress itself.
The first attack the Belkan has made upon Erusean soil in a long while resulted in a perfect kill ratio, where 100% of the Eruseans maintaining fortress Neptune are wiped out alongside the coastal installation. Of course, the Belkan Air Force, more specifically the 509th Bomb Wing, isn't stopping at just one target. Moments later, a formation of B-40 Polar Bears, led by the Enola May, leads the charge in ensuring none of the Erusean seaside strongholds would ever lay their guns on the Belkan landing forces. Much like fortress Neptune, forts like Reculver, Shoebury, and Garrison Point are targeted with impunity by either one or multiple Cloudmakers. Shoebury, in particular, receives four Cloudmakers due to its extensive firing line of 8-inch Quick Firing Guns. Suffice to say, the entire Shoebury defense line, seawall and all, is made nothing but a pile of sinking debris. A quick UAV pass identifies that all known land-bound artillery emplacements have been promptly dealt with.
As the rest of the 509th Bomb Wing moves on to bomb other Army bases of Erusea, the remaining Erusean defenses finally react to the destruction of their major shore installations. Civilians are evacuated and warned to stay in their homes, while soldiers, most of whom are worse than the Territorials that formed the Erusean Expeditionary Force, rush to assess the situation. Most are shocked upon seeing the sinkholes that were once the fortresses they were proud to have. Sirens are turned on full blast around the bombed regions while searchlights and anti-aircraft guns are pointed directly at the sky, looking for shapes that are already long gone. This is, of course, a futile effort for these greenhorns, fielding obsolete anti-air armament and detection equipment. More than that, the way they all bunch up their primary means of countering aircraft so openly around dense searchlight networks is nothing short of an 'Aim here to score multiple killstreaks' sign. A short prayer is offered to them when each of these sites is marked for destruction by Belkan UAVs. Subsequently, bombs and missiles start raining down from the sky, setting off a chain reaction as crews, guns, and their ammunition... All going up in bright balls of flame. Some of these anti-air sites, being situated in the open space between dense municipal townhouses, set neighborhoods aflame by virtue of their ammunition cooking off. While it will be a stretch to say that the naval fighters from 3rd and 4th ESGs have eliminated all land AA emplacements flanking the invasion force's approach, at the very least, a major chunk of them have been taken out of the equation.
Finally, vessels of the Belkan Expeditionary Strike Groups unleash their payloads. Targeting the naval forts of Maunsell, Red Sand, Mulberry, and the two corvettes parked in the estuary of the Thames, the ESGs launch Exoscar cruise missiles from their battlecarriers and cruisers. The horizon is alight with consecutive turns and burns from the engines of the Exoscars. Sea-skimming their way to the targets, the sea forts of Maunsell and Redsand are struck first, with each of their platform being knocked down into the sea, guns and all, with a single cruise missile each. The commotions from that then alert the Mulberry fort and its docked corvettes. The sailors and soldiers guarding this important gateway can barely glimpse the glints of the incoming missiles coming right at them. In the few seconds that they have to register the strange sight, only a rare few trust their instinct and jump overboard with a lifebuoy in hand. Right after making a split-second decision that may very well have just saved their small lives, the Exoscar missiles impact the big block of steel and rocks and its two escorts. Near instantly, the two docked corvettes are knocked clean out of the water for a moment before slamming back onto their sides and sinking fast, splitting apart at the seams. The sailors who are knocked out of those ships and into the ocean then come face to face with a shower of chunks of debris coming off a badly damaged sea fortress Mulberry. Some sailors found themselves crushed to death instantly by the falling objects. Those who are more unlucky are injured and incapacitated by them, leading to them being stunned and pulled into the whirlpool of the sinking corvettes, drowning beneath the waves. Eventually, the stored ammunition inside Mulbnerry fort explodes after a fire breaks out, forcing the survivors of the missile strike to abandon all hope, either floating in the cold and waiting for rescue or trying to swim to shore.
Overall, the opening strikes have been dealt perfectly, with little to no leeway for the Eruseans to plan or react effectively. Now that the immediate threats are gone, the Belkans' attention is turned to the deployment of their invasion force. From the decks and well decks of the Bayern-class battlecarriers and Mannheim-class amphibious transport docks, the joint force of Belkan Marines, special operations soldiers, and Ravens set off either by air or sea. For a brief period of time, the only sounds you can hear are those from the beating propeller blades of the Ospreys and hovercrafts. Previous intel has made it clear that the estuary and the beach are left unmined by the Erusean military for fear of affecting civilian passage. This has thus become a weakness to be exploited, allowing the Belkans a much swifter sea-to-shore transition.
By the time the Eruseans realize it, the sky and sea are already filled with eager Belkan troops who are ready to make a new page in history tonight.
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"Master." From one of the screens in the planning room, Agent's image appears. "There has been a situation."
"Show me." I nod in her direction before turning back to the holotable.
Agent, who has remained in Berlin, swipes something on her tablet. A moment later, drone footage is displayed in a corner of the holographic display, centered on Buckingham Palace. Agent explains.
"Our drones have been overlooking Buckingham Palace ever since the start of this three-faction night battle. Since then, we have detected combat casualties from the Scots Guard Regiment evacuating to Buckingham Palace. Yet, it's only now that our analysts realize that the number of casualties doesn't match the intensity of the conflict. There have been too many Royal Guard soldiers returning to the rear line. Their besieged defense line, which, although battered, should not have resulted in twice the estimated number."
I feel my fingers, which are tapping the edge of the holotable according to the rhythm of one of Eden's songs, pause.
"So, you are implying that we have been a step too late even with our express deployment?" My voice is calm, despite the possible ramifications.
"That appears to be the case, Master. This behind-the-scenes faction has clearly been waiting for or guiding the process to culminate in this night battle, where they can take advantage of the chaos to infiltrate Buckingham Palace. The fact that they do so just before the deployment of our invasion force could have been a coincidence, given that there's little probability of them knowing our battle plans." Agent replies in an even tone. "Yet, it's unknown why they choose to orchestrate such an elaborate scheme, dragging all of London down to Hell with them, when there are others, more elegant solutions to achieve their revenge."
I raise a finger to correct my dear, loyal maid.
"After tonight, I can hardly agree that this little faction of theirs is a behind-the-scenes one. Clearly, the puppeteers have chosen to step onto the big stage now, for better or worse. And one doesn't need to know of our movements to anticipate what we will do, dear Agent. The puppet master, our old friend the Ustian Loyalist Prime Minister, has no doubts about our capability to know of the happenings in London and to immediately act on them. I would have complimented the man's foresight if not for our mutually exploitative association. He wants us to be Erusea's executioner, while we need him to simplify the process and do the dirty work for us. It's a win-win situation, for the most part."
Bryn, standing next to me, interjects with a tinge of concern. "But shouldn't we advance upon Buckingham Palace now? Given the man's hatred for the Erusean Crown, if the Royal Guards defending the royal family are overwhelmed, the family's fate is grim."
I shake my head with a small smile. "All the more reason why we shouldn't rush for Buckingham. We're already a step behind that man. If our hasty arrival coincides with the discovery of the possible deaths of the Erusean royalties, then it's more than likely that the blame for their demises will fall upon our heads. History may be written by the winners, but rumors linger and infect the hearts of the people."
I take a look at my waiting staff, speaking. "If we are to have the Erusean people come under our banner willingly, without any misgiving, then we must do so slowly and steadily. Have our undercover operatives subtly guide the perception of the people, if needed, to ensure they come to an acceptable conclusion about the fate of the royal family in the days we need to choke out London. At the very least, we can use what I just said as a general framework."
While Bryn and the rest of my staff nod, Agent raises a question. "Master, should we delegate our operatives to track down the mastermind?"
I shrug. "Since the game has progressed to this point, just tail the man, for now. I am curious to see how he will break out of London and Erusea as a whole and what sorts of things he will do, if given the opportunity."
"Understood, Master, I will instruct the ladies so."
Thinking that's enough for now, I turn to Bryn. "Help me coordinate the troops. We may need to slow down our offensive, just a tad, depending on the moves Buckingham Palace will make. I reckon the falling dominoes piece will culminate in one big bang soon enough."
"Then, perhaps we should allocate more time to pacifying the area around RAF Rochford. Given that it will be our immediate beachhead, having some naive Erusean citizens running around in our backline isn't ideal." Bryn suggests, highlighting the residential area around the Marines' designated FOB site, adding a couple more holographic markers in places would have the most civilian population.
The markers represent detachments of the Marines' Military Police and Civil Affairs troops, ideal combinations for handling rear-line security, given that they are well-armed and specifically trained to deal with civilians in occupied territories. While we already have such groups slated for deployment, what Bryn suggested is as simple as us shipping out more of them. For just a slight increase in logistical strain, we can be more capable at shoring up our holdings, now that a bit more time is needed. In the off-chance that the FOB at Rochford is left untenable, which I highly doubt, the garrisons used by the soon-to-be numerous MP and CA troops can easily be made into rendezvous points for a tactical retreat.
I am just about giving the green light for Bryn's suggestion when Agent, who has been busy on the other end, interjects with a certain degree of haste that makes me look at her video feed.
"Marshal, we just got word that the house of the governorship of Canada is set on fire, casualties unknown..."
"Oh?"
"The nobles in New Zealand are reported to be missing on a cruise trip..."
"Huh."
'The Duke of Australia is reported dead by intoxication, and his heirs are already fighting each other."
"Seriously?"
"And the South African military is staging a coup. They are storming the South African capital city of Pretoria as we speak."
"Bloody Hell, that madman really plays all of his cards at once." I can't stop an exasperated comment from escaping my mouth. "He truly doesn't want the Erusean Kingdom to exist in any shape or form, huh."
"I said I was curious, but not curious enough for everything to happen at once!"
"Marshal..." Bryn puts a hand on my shoulder, seeing that I have to take a deep breath.
"It's fine, Bryn." I nod at my Valkyrie before saying. "Thanks for the update, Agent. For now, we'll continue as planned with Operation Vortigern. What's happening on the other side of the globe is none of our concern, for now, when we still have an Erusia and a Polania to deal with. The rest of the Commonwealth can burn for all I care."
Having set my priorities straight, I turn back to the holotable. "Now, where were we...?"