Moth Pole Prison, Pole Tower
The lowest pit of the tower was chaos.
Hundreds of dwarven prisoners in green uniforms crowded the entrance, waving handmade signs like "Less Whipping, More Tipping!", "Green Lives Matter!", and the ever-popular "Conjugal Visit on the Pit!" Their chanting echoed through the cavernous shaft like the world's angriest barbershop choir.
Inside the prison office, Director Cinderclaws sat across from three union representatives — a sight that should never have existed in any sane prison system.
"Nine slashes per hour!"
SLAM!
"Absolutely not! Five slashes per hour and 10 minutes piping time!" the representative countered, slamming the table even harder.
Both sides glared at each other in a negotiation so intense that even the nearby guards had stopped pretending to work. Dwordoug Axebreaker and his entourage stood off to the side, watching with a mix of confusion and growing dread.
"I've never heard of prisoners forming an organization," Dwordoug muttered.
"Y-yes, sir… they're, uh… new," the nervous staff member replied.
"Since when?"
"Since… the demons arrived. About two days after."
"…What?"
The staff swallowed. "They… kept telling the other inmates how prisons in Murica treat their prisoners."
"What?! I specifically ordered you to keep the demons away from forced labor! Duke Leviathan is notorious for sowing discord with his tongue!"
"That was the plan, sir, but they still saw other prisoners during the daily fifteen-minute exercise…"
Dwordoug rubbed his temples. "…Only fifteen minutes, and they built an entire organization?"
"Actually… three, sir."
"…Pardon?"
"There are 'three' unions in Moth Pole now. The other two already had their demonstrations earlier."
Dwordoug stared at him. "What madness have the demons unleashed…?"
---
Maximum Security Cells
Deep in the moldy corner of the maximum-security block, a single isolated cell held an equally isolated headache for Dwargonia. Two sets of steam-powered armor guards stood at permanent attention outside, their glowing lenses never leaving the prisoner.
One armor stared intensely at Levi, then slowly reached through the bars… and plucked a card from Levi's hand.
"AAAARGH!!"
The armor wailed in despair, having pulled the Joker.
"Kukuku… did you really think you could beat a demon duke at Old Maid?" Levi chuckled.
On the floor, both armored guards sat cross-legged across the bars from Levi and Mara, the four of them in the middle of a very intense card game.
"EHM."
Both steam armors jolted upright. Standing in the corridor was Grand Marshal Dwordoug Axebreaker, radiating disapproval so strong even the pipes vibrated. Behind him, the prison staff tried not to look guilty — especially the one who also occasionally joined the games.
"It seems you've turned my prison into your playground, demon."
"Whaaat? I would never. Though some prisoners and guards do keep encouraging me," Levi said with an elegant bow. "A pleasure to meet you again, Council Member Axebreaker."
"Always an honor," Mara added, bowing as well.
"Tch… everyone out," Dwordoug ordered.
Soon, only the Grand Marshal and the two demons remained.
"So," Levi said pleasantly, "how may we assist you today, Council Member?"
"…You're not going to ask why you were imprisoned here?"
Levi smiled. "Judging by your face, I'd say you don't know why either. Or rather, you knew once, but not anymore."
"Hmph! Just like my great-grandfather wrote — the most sharp-tongued devil he ever met."
"Oh? Do I know your great-grandfather?"
"You fought him in the last demon invasion. He was part of the hero's party—Torin Axebreaker."
Levi squinted thoughtfully. "Hmm… Was he the short one?"
Dwordoug exploded. "IS THAT A JOKE?!"
"Aahahaha — forgive me, but it's been a long time," Levi said, still chuckling. "But I'm honored his family remembers me."
"Tch. Enough. I'm not here for small talk."
"Of course. How may I be of service?"
Dwordoug exhaled sharply. "My original intention was to interrogate you for suspicion of orchestrating an attack on our capital — sinking the Atlas, manipulating events so we'd give a demon duke access to Hearthguard Cairn…"
He hesitated.
Levi waited patiently.
"But… I believe I misjudged you. I read the report from my men at your embassy. They said the first shot wasn't from your side. And the second shot — aimed at Murica — none of my men fired it."
He paused again, steadying himself.
"There's more. We haven't released this to the public… but during the fighting in the embassy, a Ravendawn patrol ship sank another Dwargonian merchant vessel. Ravendawn claims they never ordered it."
"Oh my? That is interesting…" Levi's eyes gleamed. "Ambassador Mara, your thoughts?"
Mara crossed his arms. "If Ravendawn sinks our ship right after the Atlas incident, Dwargonians will assume Murica and Ravendawn coordinated an attack."
"Exactly. We dwarves are loyal and proud. We don't leave our dead unanswered—especially when a clan elder was among them."
"Hmhm… I imagine someone out there wants the Dwargonian ambassador to go down with the Atlas," Levi mused.
"Most likely. But then, you surrendered. That threw everything into confusion. We couldn't retaliate or declare war without understanding what was happening."
"Hoho… my devil's intuition was right, Mara."
"It appears so," Mara replied. "Had we fled, Dwargonia wouldn't be satisfied with any explanation. And if we fought back in the capital… well, we'd level Hearthguard Cairn."
"…As frustrating as it is, yes. Your destruction of our capital would be the final straw." Dwordoug took a breath. "I may hate demons more than any dwarf, but I'm still the highest military authority of Dwargonia. I won't send my men to war over some shadowy conspiracy. My duty is to protect our citizens."
"How benevolent of you, Council Member Axebreaker," Levi said politely.
"But I cannot apologize," Dwordoug snapped. "Nor release you immediately. Keeping you here stabilizes the public until we find the real culprit. But I'll transfer you to a more comfortable place and request a joint investigation with Murica."
"Very wise," Mara nodded.
"I will gladly extend my stay," Levi added. "My government is very eager to find the puppetmaster behind this."
"Good. I'll inform the director. We'll speak somewhere less… miserable."
He turned to leave—
BOOOOOOOM.
The tunnel shook violently.
"What the—?!" Dwordoug barked.
"…Sigh. We just can't get it easy, can we?" Levi complained.
"No, sir," Mara agreed calmly.
---
1,000 Meters Above Moth Pole Prison
Alarms blared. Smoke billowed from two sections of the prison. A Dwargonian gunship hovered overhead — but unlike normal brass-plated vessels, this one was matte black with no insignia.
"Sir, we've eliminated the mana-comm station and the military train," the first mate reported.
"Good. They can't call for help."
The captain stepped to the mana-comm console.
"Contact the Kirof."
Moments later—
"Kirof reporting."
"Commence bombing."
"Acknowledged."
Ten more black-painted airships emerged from the clouds. Lighter, sleeker, fitted with small-caliber guns—bomber models.
They opened their belly doors.
---
Moth Pole Prison
After the first bombing, and as the alarm started to blare, all of the prisoners were directed to return to their cells.
The prisoners stopped mid-return.
"Hey—look! Airships!" one shouted.
The sky darkened with falling explosives.
SHRIIILLL—
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—
The prison shook as carpet bombing engulfed the facility.
---
Bashington DC, Pentagon
Stan sat with General Hanz, Admiral Rusalka, and General Fujin. Tension had been rising for days; Dwargonia and Ravendawn had mobilized along their borders, and Murica's 1st Fleet shadowed Ravendawn's forces from a careful distance.
A lieutenant displayed a map filled with blinking dots.
"Satellite shows massive activity at Dwargonian installations along both borders," he said. "Thousands of battleships and airships deployed."
"They outnumber us and Ravendawn," Hanz muttered.
"Well, they've been stockpiling for centuries," Stan said.
"By a lot," Fujin added. "Their airships are basically flying battleships. My fighters probably can't down those with a single Sidewinder."
"Indeed," Stan said flatly.
"And my 2nd Fleet isn't ready," Admiral Rusalka groaned.
"When should it be ready?" Hanz asked.
"ETA three months—unless I whip the manufacturers harder," she replied.
KNOCK KNOCK.
Another lieutenant rushed in. "Urgent satellite report!"
Footage appeared: Moth Pole Prison being bombed by black Dwargonian airships.
"Oh, interesting. Their airships can carpet bomb," Fujin commented calmly.
"What are they bombing?" Hanz asked.
"A Dwargonian mine prison—Moth Pole," the officer replied. "We don't know why they're bombing their own facility."
Stan chuckled darkly.
"It's simple. There's one demon on their soil dangerous enough to warrant carpet bombing. Our Foreign Minister."
Silence.
"…I'll inform the Prime Minister. Continue preparations for possible conflict."
"Yes, sir!"
---
The Black House
Solo and Lilith sat with Ambassador Hannya.
"So, Ambassador Hannya, you'll act as Foreign Minister for now," Lilith said.
"I'll perform my duties to the best of my ability."
"The meeting with Dwargonia will be held at the tri-border ocean. We'll provide a civilian vessel for the conference location," Lilith added.
"I hope things go smoothly despite Levi's absence," Solo sighed.
"Don't worry, sir. Minister Leviathan never does any work himself. He always dumps tasks on subordinates. So nothing will change."
"…Ah."
Kriiing—Kriiing.
"Yes?" said Solo, answering his phone.
"Yes, connect me to him… Yes, Stan? … yes? … Oh really? … I see… Alright, thanks for letting me know." Solo then hung up.
Lilith leaned in. "What happened?"
"Our satellite just found what Stan believes to be where Levi is being held."
"Tch," said Hannya.
"…Did you just—?" Lilith began.
"No, ma'am. You misheard."
Solo continued, "It's a Dwargonian prison deep in their territory. And they bombed it thirty minutes ago."
"Yeay," Hannya whispered flatly.
Solo and Lilith exchanged a look, wisely saying nothing. It's no secret that the female ambassador is always annoyed by her boss after being his assistant for many decades.
"So anyway, Hannya, your responsibility during the negotiation is to not give the Dwargonians any reason to attack us or Ravendawn," Solo said.
"I will do my utmost performance, sir."
"Also, try to negotiate for Levi's return."
"I cannot promise anything about that, sir," Hannya replied, with a slightly irritated face.
Solo exhaled. "Sigh…"