At the command center, the representatives were all in a frenzy. The Battle harems were a force granted privileges above any other occupation all for one thing— to defeat monster invasions. And right now 80% of the said forces were in the Dominii Empire cities.
Dylan noticed all the representatives suddenly getting agitated after receiving chats or transmissions from their home kingdoms. Slowly but surely they all understood the grave matter they had in their midst. The kingdoms lacked the battle harems to defend them.
If what Rhyne said is true even a C-rank monster invasion would annihilate the kingdoms on the continent. In truth, the definition of a Kingdom in the Valorious continents is different from others. On Earth people colonized for more resources, thus the great empires traveled the world to get richer and gain more power.
The main difference is that Earth did not have monster invasions, regardless if you had the power to subjugate a place, the most pressing problem would be if you could keep and defend it. Many kingdoms collapsed overnight due to overextending.
It should be noted that the more places you need to defend, the harder it is to separate your forces. Thus it became a race to enlist the most powerful people one could find. The Aristocracy was built on this concept. This was why the kings granted land to promising people loyal to them. To ensure these individuals had a stake in defending the kingdom.
Here in Valorious, only the Savior-led battle harems had the power to safeguard entire spheres of the world. Thus when they disappeared, their harems started to fragment and fall into discord. Without a head to lead them, each person found a land to settle in and established themselves as kings or queens.
This problem combined with the continent's gigantic land mass led to kingdoms sprouting up like mushrooms. While they might have populations of only 200 to 300 thousand the sheer number of them still represented a chunk of humanity. The entire continent had more than hundreds of kingdoms rise and fall overnight. The main problem came in having a force capable of defending them.
"Prince Dylan, I wish to announce our retirement from the BHR, please grant us leave. Our battle harem needs to retreat as fast as possible!"
"I also wish for the same."
"I do too."
As more and more people started voicing their intent Dylan who was still on a call with Rhyne asked her. The prince noticed the devious smile of his sister.
"Onee-sama, please cancel the BHR we need to salvage the situation."
"Fufu... and why should we? What happens to the others does not matter to us."
"Onee-sama! Millions would die! Please reconsider it!"
Rhyne made an elegant smile as she responded. "I will, but I want you to forfeit your right to succession."
"Are you really doing this now Onee-sama? What kind of monarch would make such a decision!" frustrated Dylan vented his anger to the table as he crushed part of it under his grip.
"I was only making the process easier for you. If we do not cancel it, when you fail to show up for the finals I will still win by default. Before anything I will let you know, Starfall will only defend our empire."
"Onee-sama! But the other kingdoms lack the strength to fight!" shouted Dylan.
ραndαsnοvεl.cοm "AND WHAT OF IT? STOP BEING AN IDIOT DYLAN! If both you and I leave and the empire's cities get attacked that would be putting the cart before the horse! Use your brain! Our strength exists for our people! If they planted a kingdom then without power they will die! That is how life is..."
The prince balled his fists in frustration. He intended to leverage his sister's image to ask her to help the other kingdoms. Due to the overwhelming support of the Dominii nobles to his sister, he barely had any supporters. Thus his vested interests were in changing their minds due to the alliances outside.
'FUCK! This destroys any chance of support I might have gotten. She got me. My only play was destroyed so effortlessly! What the hell can I do to come back from this!'
As Dylan mused Rhyne continued to berate her brother. Her manner of tone sounded like a sister concerned for her brother but the vitriol coming out of her lips said otherwise.
"Despite being the most diligent in combat ability this is your limit Ototo-kun. You are a very good commander and soldier but you are no king or emperor. Just stay in place and make love to your wives. I will revive our past glory there is no need for your pitiful attempts.
"At least you managed to amount to something. Your stupidity in choosing women also shot youself in the foot. At least some of my subs are nobles you have shit. You never beat me in anything and that won't change now. Obediently relinquish your rights to succession. While I am asking nicely."
After much mussing Dylan made a deep sign and announced in a defeated manner. "Fine. I will do it. Now cancel the BHR. I will join the relief forces that will be sent out."I think you should take a look at
Rhyne made a dazzling smile as she applauded "Splendid decision, I am sure the other countries are grateful for your altruism. I am proud to have such an honorable Ototo-kun. I will be cutting this call now."
The contraption then powered down and started to return to its original appearance. Dylan then started to placate the representatives by announcing the BHR's cancellation and the intent of the Dominii empire to send out Gae-bolg as a relief force.
However, at the back of his mind, Dylan buried an Idea, one that scared and excited him greatly. 'If I cannot become the emperor legally. I can just become one through mutiny, rebellion, or assassination. Just wait Rhyne this is not yet over.'
——————————————
At the west gate, Hiro and Heavenly Sword regrouped. As the 2nd round of matches of the qualifier had yet to even complete, everyone was in top form.
"Daddy!"
Ryuuka quickly ran towards Hiro and threw herself into him. As if making up for the lives she lived alone, dashing and calling out "daddy" became a drug for the heir of Dragonblood. Hiro on the other hand just loved the smile his daughter made every time she did her reunion tackle.
"Ryuu, we just saw each other this morning. Did you miss me already?"
"I did! Daddy is the best!"
"Ho? Daddy is the best? Right good girl, my daughter is the best daughter in the world!"
Not caring about what others thought Hiro raised Ryuu to the air by the armpits and started to spin around. The rest of Heavenly Sword simply laughed at their antics as they waited.
Jei calmly said in a small voice. "It should be any time now." Just then a loud announcement echoed.
"GOOOD MORRRRNINNNG PAAARTISSSANNN! This is Lola! Your Partisan BHR Mascot and Announcer! HOW ARE YOU ALL?! I am sure everyone is wondering about the Alarm earlier, I just got word from the Prince that there is no cause for alarm. There seems to be a monster invasion heading our way.
"BUT DON'T WORRY! We have Starfall and we have Gae-bolg! Two of the strongest battle harems in the entire continent! I have been told that Starfall will lay defense while offense would be the strongest spear!
"So reassuring to have such powerhouses! Now the bad news, because of the heroism of our crown princess and prince the BHR for this year will be canceled. News if it would be rescheduled or postponed will be announced at a later date. Until then this is Lola signing off! Stay safe Partisan!"
Vanessa then looked at Hiro as she explained. "The odds that bitch already secure the throne is high. Dylan is softhearted and would not wish to see millions die. Logically the best move would be to end the event, sent everyone home, and create a mobile task force to eradicate the threat."
"I am of the same mind, at least he is a worthy ruler." Commented Raylene.
"I kinda feel there is something else thought? The Dominii have enough power to take down the coming horde while continuing the event. Why cancel it? Do they intend to use the battle harems here as defenders?" uncharacteristically the Sword Saint added her inputs to the discussion.
Hiro then asked Jei as his wife started into the horizon. "Wifey, where do you think this monster invasion came from?"
"I don't know husband. But I think the kingdoms all over are being assaulted all at once. The alarm before was not one used for a typical monster invasion. I heard the same one in our kingdom." Answered the mage.
Raylene who was confused tried to clarify. "Eh? What do you mean? It sounded generic. Extremely similar to every other city."
"That is the point. It is extremely generic. the city name is not even mentioned. This generic alarm is not deployed to a city but towards something larger like an Empire. That way the same command can be shared across a wider range." Answered the pink-haired empress.
Hiro asked in worry. "Hmm? What do you mean?"
"I think— the entire continent is under assault. This is the only reason why the BHR would be canceled. The impact if this is true would wipe out almost all the kingdoms without a battle harem to defend them. The ten most powerful people in each harem are in the Dominii empire."
