Reincarnated with the Country System

20-6-1561 WC

Bernard Empire capital

....

The great war-map of Eldoria glowed across the obsidian walls of Alberto's command chamber, seas and continents bathed in pale blue light. Lines of red marked the Bernard Empire's naval patrols. Across the Northern Ocean the enemy's icons were fading, one by one, as if swallowed by the night.

Alberto stood at the center of the room, hands clasped behind his back. The soft hum of the holoprojectors mixed with the quiet murmur of aides updating casualty numbers. For the first time in days he allowed himself a small smile.

"The Northern Ocean is ours," Admiral Ramirez reported. "The Indiana fleets are scattered. What remains is retreating to their southern ports."

Alberto's eyes narrowed in satisfaction. "Good. Their pride is broken."

Around the table the senior ministers shifted uneasily. Prime Minister Elizabeth stepped forward, a slim folder of reports in her hands.

"Your Majesty," she said, voice calm but firm, "this victory is significant, but it is not the end. Indiana's navy is vast. Intelligence estimates we destroyed perhaps ten percent of their total strength. They still command thousands of ships spread across their empire. Also, Their inland armies remain untouched."

Defense Minister Thomas Banks added a low grunt of agreement. "They can replace ships. Their industrial base is massive. Even with the Northern Ocean lost, they can fight on for years."

Alberto turned from the glowing map. "Years?" His voice was quiet, dangerous.

Elizabeth met his gaze without flinching. "Ten to fifteen to capture and hold the entire country, Sire. Indiana spans nearly a hundred million square kilometers. We would need millions of soldiers, permanent garrisons, decades of occupation. Even with our fleets, a land invasion would bleed us dry."

General Marcus folded his arms. "We can land troops, yes. But to subdue every province, every city? We'd face resistance for generations."

The chamber grew still. Advisors watched the emperor, waiting.

Alberto paced to the tall windows. Beyond them the capital glittered beneath the night sky. He thought of the quest log only he could see: Conquer Three Continents. Time limit: five years. Progress: barely one-third.

Five years. Not fifteen.

He turned back, eyes cold. "Then we will not wait."

A ripple of unease passed through the council.

"I will break them quickly," Alberto said. "If distance and size are their shield, we will shatter it. Prepare the strategic arsenals. Ready the nuclear warheads."

The room froze.

Elizabeth's voice cut the silence. "Sire…you cannot mean—"

"I do." Alberto's tone left no space for doubt. "A single decisive strike will force surrender. We target their central command hubs, their inland shipyards, their great temple-cities. Shock and awe. They will kneel before the second dawn."

General Marcus exchanged a wary glance with Thomas Banks. "High-yield warheads will kill millions. Fallout will poison their own farmlands—farmlands we would need once we occupy."

"They will have no choice but to capitulate," Alberto said. "Better swift ruin than decades of bloodshed."

Elizabeth stepped closer, lowering her voice but sharpening her words. "And when the world sees the Bernard Empire unleash nuclear fire? You risk uniting the world in hatred."

Alberto did not blink. "Let them hate if they cannot fear. We will rule either way."

Silence pressed in like a physical weight. At last, Admiral Ramirez spoke carefully. "If we proceed, we must strike fast and clean. Decapitate their command before they scatter or retaliate."

Alberto gave a single, slow nod. "Then prepare plans for immediate deployment. I want launch options within forty-eight hours."

The prime minister's knuckles whitened around her folder, but she said nothing more. The decision was made.

An aide hurried in, saluting sharply. "Your Majesty, a report from the southern fleets. The Vengal Kingdom has accepted full vassal status. Prince Kaen has signed the treaty. Their Meranite forces swear loyalty to the Bernard Empire."

Alberto's expression softened to a faint smile. "Excellent. One more piece secured."

Thomas Banks allowed himself a small breath of relief. "That means the Ostra continent is now entirely under our control. Supply lines are stable. We can shift more resources to the Indiana front."

"Begin the transfer at once," Alberto ordered.

Another officer stepped forward with a new slate of data. "Envoys to the West Continent have delivered our ultimatum. Several coastal nations request negotiation. Others remain silent. We expect formal responses within the week."

Alberto studied the map again. The Western nations glowed in pale yellow across the great ocean—untouched, still free. For now.

"If they will not submit," he said quietly, "then they will learn the cost of defiance."

The council exchanged uneasy glances. Everyone knew what those words meant.

Elizabeth broke the silence once more, her voice measured. "Sire, we are already stretching our forces. Striking Indiana with nuclear weapons while threatening the West may open too many fronts."

Alberto turned to her, eyes like polished steel. "I will not fight forever. I will end wars before they begin. Fear is the only language the world understands."

He moved to the center of the chamber and placed a hand on the glowing map. Red lines expanded outward at his touch, sweeping across seas and continents until the whole of Eldoria burned crimson.

"When Indiana falls, Malak will stand alone. Their cultivators will not save them. And when Malak falls, the Eldoria continent will belong to us entire. From the Ostra shores to the western deserts, from the Northern Ocean to the southern ice, one banner will fly."

The ministers stood silent, caught between awe and dread.

Alberto lowered his voice, almost a whisper meant only for himself. "The quest will be complete. The god of strife will have his due."

He looked up sharply. "Carry out my orders. Prepare the warheads. Position our fleets for landfall. And send another message to the West: Join us, or be conquered."

The council members bowed, some reluctantly, some with grim acceptance. Footsteps echoed as they departed to set the empire's might in motion.

When the chamber was empty, Alberto remained alone with the map. The crimson glow bathed his face as he traced a path across the oceans toward the distant Western coast. For a long moment he said nothing, only watched the world turn beneath his hand.