The Martial Unity

An hour later, the Kandrian Empire made an announcement to the world. It announced the success of an operation to eliminate NOVA and to seize full control over Greater Tekvoria, much to the shock of the entire world. The press conference, filled with journalists and reporters from continental and international media, rocked as the shocking news was laid all matter-of-factly.

Not a single person could believe their eyes, and indeed, many people doubted the veracity of the claim.

The Kandrian Empire eliminated NOVA and took over Greater Tekvoria in just an hour?

That was just impossible to believe.

But much to their shock, there was no statement from Greater Tekvoria refuting it. In fact, much to the utter bewilderment, the latter even confirmed the death of NOVA and even published what was more or less an acquiescence to temporary Kandrian control in a time of great change.

Much to the shock of everybody, the tekvores were allowed access to the broader interweb that spanned Gaia, allowing them to communicate with the world and the world with them for the first time since NOVA took over Greater Tekvoria. Cutting them off from the true world was one of the ways that made it easier for the assembler to control tekvores better.

The Panama Continent immediately opened wormholes to Greater Tekvoria as countless Martial Sages and Masters were deployed to the nation to maintain an ironclad military control over the energy sources of Greater Tekvoria, along with each and every single teleportation weapon of mass destruction meant to deter the enemies of Tekvoria.

There was resistance, of course, but it was muted, since they were on the land of Tekvoria, where all of their energy infrastructure was. Even though tekvores were much stronger than Martial Artists on average, they had an absolutely massive disadvantage in that they were extremely energy-intensive and infrastructure-dependent.

They consumed massive amounts of raw energy, which was the reason they were stronger, but that meant that they were essentially paralyzed inside Tekvoria, where their energy lines, storage, and generation infrastructure were present. If they fought within Tekvoria, they would damage the very systems and infrastructure that they depended upon.

In contrast, Martial Artists merely needed food and water, and they were good to go.

It allowed the transition of power to flow smoothly as the Panamic Alliance came to occupy Greater Tekvoria, turning the entirety of Acherialis into an occupational territory.

Citizens protested. Pathwalkers tried resisting to whatever extent they could, but the tremendous spike in Sage numbers had caused all of them to ultimately bend the knee. Rui made the occasional appearance, allowing them to feel his boundless power as he spread his Martial Embodiment across all of Tekvoria and to feel the hopelessness of resistance.

The sheer pace of these developments was truly shocking to the true world. The Panamic Alliance even generously allowed the press to enter Tekvoria for the very first time since NOVA seized all control with her totalitarian regime.

Their investigations and interviews with the native tekvore population showed just how far they had fallen into the pits of their own brainwashing and mind control.

“NOVAAAA!” One man fell to his knees. “MY LOVE! MY LIFE! MY EVERYTHING! I WILL FOLLOW YOU TO DEATH IF THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE TRULY GONE!”

He activated a hand knife system in his body before pointing it at his own throat.

“Wait! Stop!” The elven journalist from West Genora stood up as she tried to halt the man with nature manipulation.

Alas, Acherialis had no nature.

SPLAT!

…THUD

Such cases were horrifyingly common. They had become completely and utterly mentally dependent on NOVA, which supplied them with dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin by virtue of the cranial electrodes inserted inside their heads and on their brains.

Depression and despair were the most common reactions to the news of NOVA’s death among the Tekvorian people, as they completely collapsed in their day-to-day life. As if there was no point to even living without NOVA controlling their lives and feeding them happiness.

It was one of the reasons that the Panamic Alliance had managed to smoothly take over. They just had the will to even survive without NOVA. It had caused shock all around the true world to the sheer extent of NOVA’s totalitarianism. Not even the Dragon Emperor had come anywhere near exerting such control over Kiriket.

A week passed in the blink of an eye as the Panamic Alliance rapidly began gaining more and more control over the complex systems of Greater Tekvoria. Including the deep-subterranean seismic energy absorption systems of Greater Tekvoria. That was what Rui was most interested in.

He had gotten what he had come for.

Now, it was time to take the next step.

In a conference hall in the Kandrian Empire, Rui found himself in a conference room, fully attired in his royal garb, his appearance perfectly groomed and the royal crown sitting on his head domineeringly. To his side was Secretary Claris, while a series of hologram projectors were placed across the empty table before him.

BZZT

BZZT

BZZT

…

One by one, the projectors began displaying a number of familiar figures.

Mother Maeria of the light elves and Mother Vyia of the dark elves.

The Emperor of the Bournvyrne Empire, Emperor Ranoua El Bournvyrne II. As well as six other dwarves representing the other six major dwarven polities in Sirinwel.

Deputy Commander Wiles of the Evolutionary Army and the President of the West Moridian Alliance.

Lord Vakratunda of the Harmony Faction and Lord Narsimha of the Hawk Faction of Kiriket.

The Suneater of the giants, who was shockingly human-sized in his projected hologram.

Numerous other smaller but important powers in the world, such as the Hlakaschken Trade Empire and its Empress Schlieffen, Queen Aura of the Alfina Kingdom of the Seafolks, also took their place at the conference table.

The entirety of the leadership of the true world had gathered in one meeting for the first time in a long, long time.

“The time has come, leaders of Gaia.” Rui’s eyes sharpened. “The time has come to work together to eliminate a threat that threatens not just all of us, but Gaia herself.”