[h2]Southern Wars (continuation)[/h2] The midnight of a new week, as the clock passes twelve. Within the Lanceline theatre, Lanceline's command centre was on full evacuation after the Raegalian's lightning attacks several hours ago. They took this chance to move quickly while the enemy was establishing their forward frontier. To their surprise however... A Raegalian stratofighter dived from the skies, it was heading down vertically fast, quiet, and it dropped something down below the Lanceline command centre before it flew up again. The object that was dropped turned out to be a bomb, and exploded violently that decimated the entire base in flames. It was then that the Lanceline army has fallen in disarray as their command lines are wiped out. By morning, the Lanceline western army has been routed after the pincer attack. The remnant army and paramilitary troops now awaits in the capital of Lire. Now to their shock, the Raegalian's messaged them peace. Yes, PEACE. They utterly took this as an insult. However, outside their capital. The Lanceline soldiers and survivors of the western army were sent back to their capital, wounded and left unarmed to walk several miles towards their city. The Raegalians told them that they will not attack anymore, however, they threatened them that any attempts of counterattacks would result in a full artillery saturation of the capital until nothing remains of it to repair. Clearly for unknown intents, the Raegalians remained several miles outside the capital, strengthening their established frontier base. Numerous emplacements and self-propelled artillery dugged in, flying a white flag. And their skyfleet hovers miles above. [@Kuchenlein] Wary and suspicious, the city defenders remained vigilant, and prepared for counterbattery in case the Raegalians weren't true to their words. Several days, no sign of Raegalian attack, only from their scouting report that the Raegalian frontier is being strengthened. By the end of the week, still no signs of attack. By this time, the Pherithian aid had arrived at the capital. Grateful for the reinforcements, the Lanceline forces began to regroup. However, the chain of command in the military have been wiped out. Sovereign officials were incapable of handling the armed forces. The Lanceline remnant leadership begged for the Pherithians to take command of Lanceline's army and retake their lands. If they do this however, would mean breaking the Raegalians "self-proclaimed peace", and the artillery saturation could happen. Doing it regardless, what would Raegalia have in stored for them. In the Artician Front (Note: Happened in the same length as in Lanceline). The morning of the new week began, as the blitz continued. Raegalian air raids devastated Artician outposts, ports and harbors from numerous islands. Griffegus ships battled poorly equipped Artician warships to defeat, whom were on constant attack from the Raegalian air attacks. As the island defenses softened, or even shattered. The moment was ripe for the 2nd Skyfleet's penetration. The Artician mainland quickly found itself assaulted by the Raegalian's skyfleet, and a ground invasion force spearheading it. Their defenses were badly weakened by Griffegus navy bombardment and Raegalian air raids. This was easily pierced by the Raegalian's fast-moving armor units supported by aircrafts. Reaching their command centre which was already smoking. With a knife at their throats, Articia's wounded main army surrendered, and the capital fell to Raegalia. While Raegalia was attacking the Artician mainland, Griffegus took care of any flanking attacks the Artician made. Articia had a strong navy, but never a ground force or air. Griffegus faced challenges against their fleet around the mainland. But when the capital fell, Articia surrenders itself to the Aranorian Confederacy. But the remains of their fleet did not intend to give up, and fought on the remaining southern islands resisting Griffegus fleet. Inevitably, their resistance faltered by Raegalian air attacks, pushed back towards Glesureis. [@Kuchenlein] By the time the Pherithian reinforcement came in Articia, it has already fallen to the Aranorian Confederacy. Arriving from the west, they were spotted by a Griffegus patrol group, a few kilometers before the Griffegus blockade fleet. They warned the rest of the occupying force in Articia before they came closer. Seeing the Pherithian flag, they warned them. "Ahoy! Pherithian mainlanders! You're in the territory of Articia, a member nation of the Aranorian Confederacy! Continue your approach or we will be forced to fire a warning shot regardless of our situation. Continue to do so, and you will have declared war against Articia, and the whole Aranorian Confederacy." A loudspeaker voice came from one of the patrol group's three cruiser frigates. ============================================= [h2]Behind the Scenes of War[/h2] Articia's surrender led to its absorption into the Aranorian Confederacy. Its armies demilitarize or annexed. And the national leaders replaced by those who have been waiting to get their chance and supported by the Aranorian council. However, the occupied nation remained restless in the power-hungry Confederation. Contrast to Karastus' gladness to cooperate and join the Aranorians, the Articians were against being turned into one. Raegalian and Griffegus military officers discussed. "The plan has been going along nicely, however we are attracting a lot of competitors, especially from the mainlanders." Says one of the Griffegus. "We are well aware of the Pherithians attempts on meddling with Elias' affairs. That's why we must annex Lanceline as fast as possible if Elias is to become one." A Raegalian said. "Ah shite, I really hate these mainland dogs. Not that we can't handle them, but lest they fully intervene, we'll be the bad guys this time." Noah added a sigh. "Alright gentlemen. Our offensive on Lanceline shall be halted for the time being, give them a "peaceful message" if it's a must. The best thing we are to do right now is our forward frontier." "Yes sir. But would they actually take this peace?" An officer asked. "Unless they're stupid then they would. But their resistance are futile with their chain of command 'fully' wiped out. We need to deal with the royalist dogs right now, if I mention they closed their diplomatic relations with us right? So we can't declare war with them?" Noah says while pissed. "*ahem* Yes we can still can, unofficially. But it would be unwise, as you have already said, Prime Minister." A Griffegus replied. "Oh right." Noah amusingly followed, and added. "Well then, just in case, I call for a military meeting with the fifteen skyfleet admirals from northern Aranor." *meeting ends* ============================ [h2]Shady Wooers[/h2] [@Kuchenlein] The Aranorians agreed with both Peiyangese and Indian's trade agreements. They also asked what their relations with the Revital Whampoans are. This aside, new trade routes opened, and like that of the Revitals, the economy strengthened for the Aranorians. This had great effects as well to Articia. With it being one of the Aranorian Confederacy, it was included in being open for trade, although its economy is still monopolize by the Confederacy.