*Kiros, Vytilis; June 15, 2021; 11:45 PM*

The Kiros Pub had been ablaze with not only stories from other mercenaries, but exchange of news about how much of a downward spiral the rest of the universe seemed to be headed down.

The main line of discussion appeared to be a nation known as 'Concordia', though Alex had no clue of it's significance.

Alex had told Osiris to stay with the ships. He figured Osiris was not only inept with this sort of person, but because he was simply too young.

The Aurora had both the Carolus and Ericsson strapped onto each side, on account of lacking an AI to operate the ships.

Anyways, back to the purpose of Alex's visit-

"Sparky!!" Iota greeted, hugging Alex close.

"Iota, Get off..!" Alex shouted.

The second Iota had bearhugged Alex, everyone in the room had turned their heads, hearing Alex himself actually caused the entertainment to stop playing and patrons to stop talking.

The whole pub had been dead silent.

"Iota... You have five seconds to let go." Alex warned.

Iota giggled, cuddling closer.

"Clingy little.. Alright, what's the news? What the hell is this 'Concordia' I keep hearing about?" Alex demanded.

"You... don't know..?" One of the regular patrons, and another well-known mercenary named Ryden Ias asked quizzically.

"Concordia is what they're calling Vytal now. It formed it's own Republic, with your own buddies leading the charge." another mercenary named Umbra Kan explained.

"A Republic on Vytal? I thought Remnant was mostly Kingdoms." Alex simply stated, in a dull shock.

"Apparently, they're bringing in American and Equestrian refugees by the millions." Iota added.

"Right... I still have no idea what's going on over there.." Alex stated.

"VAAS!" A messenger shouted to the bartender; a former mercenary named Fyodir Vaas.

"What is it?" Fyodir demanded.

"News from Adenien.. The Supreme Leader and the Commander of the Rydor Corps are dead!" The messenger shouted.

Alex was stunned.

"Who?!" Alex demanded.

"O-Oh..! I had no idea Captain..! Y-Yeah... It was a man named Winchester.." The Messenger explained.

Alex's blood ran cold.

"Where is Winchester..?"

"He's dead at the hands of the New Emperor." The messenger replied.

The Pub was on the edge of their collective seats.

"Emperor?!"

"That hasn't happened since The Fifth Great War..!"

"I've only ever heard of a Supreme Leader. But Emperor?" Alex asked.

The whole room turned to look at him.

"An Adenienite leader chooses the title of 'Supreme Leader' if his first acts are of peace, whereas the leader chooses the title of 'Emperor' if his first act is of War. There hasn't been one in nearly 500 years since the Fifth Great War, where Emperor Unum Emphas unified Adenien in it's entirety." Fyodir explained.

"...An Emphas was the previous 'Emperor'?" Alex asked.

"Yes, but that isn't the point!" Fyodir indignantly shouted back.

"Then who is this new 'Emperor'?" Alex demanded.

"A young man named Julius Crux. The Youngest Emperor in Adenienite History at 16." The Messenger answered.

Alex's eyes grew dark, his blood colder than the pools off the coast of Expectans.

Julius Crux had killed his own brother while Alex was vulnerable. And Alex very much doubted that Julius was incapable of commiting a false flag of this level.

"THAT BASTARD!!!" Alex roared in sheer anger.

The entire bar turned to look at Alex.

"...What was the purpose of your visit?" Fyodir demanded.

"Oh, yeah. I have a job offer going.." Alex began, powering down.

"A job offer?!" The entire room gathered around him.

"Yes. You're all welcome to join, and the kind of work involved is perfect for you! I just need you to join my fleet." Alex explained.

"A Fleet?"

"Yes. An Aerial fleet of my own design. I have three main Airships; One Main Carrier called the Aurora, and two Dreadnought Carriers; The Carolus and The Ericsson. The whole fleet is under my command and has a variety of air and ground vehicles. Hussar VTOLs, Hellion Tanks, and Sparta Trucks. All of which are of my own design. I've even supplied weapons in case you don't have your own." Alex promised.

"Yeah, and where's our payment?!" Ryden demanded.

"On the ships." Alex answered as the Aurora appeared above the ship, lowering itself above the Pub, the ship serving as a canopy shielding the pub and the people inside from the torrential downpour outside.

"That's your ship, sparky?!" Iota gasped.

"Yep. There's two other Dreadnoughts attached on the sides, and a whole fleet of VTOLs, Tanks, and Trucks." Alex grinned.

"We will join your fleet, Alexander. I will also contact my other regulars not on duty to join as well." Fyodir grinned, shaking Alex's hand.

"Thank you. Do you know of any other mercenaries who can join? My capacity is about 10,000 pilots and about 100,000 troops. We just have about 30 or so here." Alex explained.

"Ah, yes...! I have connections with mercenaries from Iridia, Coalita, Rydia, and Kommisen. And they themselves have connections to other underground mercenary forces." Fyodir replied.

"Excellent. I need 3 pilots flying each of these ships! Report to the barracks to get your weapons!" Alex ordered as a small catwalk expended from the Aurora.

The Mercenaries of Vitylis walked into the catwalk; all experienced, talented warriors in their own right.

Alex headed into the control room, where Osiris had been piloting the ship.

"Did it go well?" Osiris asked.

"I would say so. We just have to wait until the rest of the mercenaries arrive. Perhaps in another day. For now, I have to give you a bit of reading work, Osiris." Alex insisted, bringing with him a copy of the Art of War.

"The Art of War by Sun Tzu?" Osiris inquired.

"Yes. It's important to learn how to conduct your forces in the best possible arrangements, Osiris. This was something I had to read up on during the Inquisitor War. Being an Admiral or other high ranking individual isn't always about pulling rank when it suits you. It's about being able to prove yourself able to handle anything the enemy throws at you." Alex explained.

"When will I learn how to fight?" Osiris asked.

"First thing tomorrow. You don't have to read the entire book yet, because I have some more on the way." Alex explained.

"Okay, Alex.." Osiris nodded.

Alex took his time left to strategize. It should take no more than two weeks to garner up a suitable army to command his Auroran fleet.

There were an array of variables to figure out. Firstly was the matter concerning Concordia.

If his friends truly played a role in it's recent founding, then it's possible that he found himself a likely ally for his fleet. The Inquisitors and their puppets, as well as the Illuminati, were still pressing problems. At the moment, so long as his fleet stayed concealed, the Illuminati could stand no chance against Alex.

He would also have to deal with the consequences of who Concordia was allied and opposed to, as well as it's military capabilities. He generally had no clue as to it's goings-on, so Alex would likely need to speak with his female counterpart.

There was also the matter of this new 'Emperor'. Last Alex saw, Julius was a traitor who turned to the Inquisitors.

This could be a serious problem.

*Emperor's Estate, Iridescence, Adenien; June 16, 2021; 12:00 PM*

It would be the first speech since formally accepting the Throne and Sword of Adenien and his declaration as Emperor. It would outline his policies, and who Adenien would be declaring war on.

"CITIZENS OF ADENIEN, YOUR NEW EMPEROR IS HERE!!!" Julius roared before his inaugural crowd, who cheered just as loudly.

"WE HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND USED BY WALKER AND HIS CRONIES FOR FAR TOO LONG!! YOUR FATHERS, YOUR BROTHERS, YOUR SISTERS, YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE DYING FOR CAUSES THAT MEAN NOTHING TO YOU! AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, WALKER BROUGHT HIS NEEDLESS SQUABBLE TO LITHIA AND DESTROYED YOUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES! IF WE STAY COMPLACENT, WE SHALL DIE WITH HIM!!!" Julius bellowed, raising the Sword of Emperors high, much to the crowd's growing fiery pride.

"WE SHALL DECLARE, WITH ONE VOICE, THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE SUBJECTS TO THE EQUESTRIANS, TO THE EARTHLINGS, OR TO THE INHABITANTS OF REMNANT!!! OUR COMBINED FORCES ARE STRONG, AND OUR WILL IS STRONGER! FAR STRONGER!! TEMPERED BY THE FIRES OF COUNTLESS TRIBULATIONS! THE GREAT WARS, THE OCCUPATION BY THE INQUISITORS, THE FINAL PUSH THAT WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE ELIMINATED THEM! WE ARE A PEOPLE DEFINED BY CONQUEST! AND AS SUCH, WE SHALL CONQUER ALL!!!!"

The crowd cheered their loudest, raising signs, flags, and blades to the skies.

"WE SHALL BEGIN WITH THE EARTH NATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FEDERATION! A YEAR AND A HALF OF CIVIL WAR HAS BROUGHT IT TO THE BRINK OF DESTRUCTION, AND WE SHALL CLAIM THE NATION, NAY, THE ENTIRE CONTINENT AS OUR OWN!!! WE SHALL THEN INVADE THE WORLD OF REMNANT, STARTING WITH CONCORDIA!!! THE BLADES OF FATE HANG ABOVE OUR WORLD AS WELL! SHALL WE LET IT FALL UNTO US, OR SHALL WE GRASP IT, RAISE IT TO THE SKIES, AND CLAIM IT AS OURS TO WIELD?!" Julius declared.

The crowds roared with thunderous applause, charging to warships, jump-suits, and two new implementations to the Imperial Adenien Army; The Korian Warships and the Extremis Armor.

The Warships were roughly the size of football fields with two thrusters on it's rear and four on the bottom, and filled to the brim with Tesla Guns, Machine Guns, and the main weapon systems of the Korians; The Hyperion Cannons; Combination Railgun, White Phosphorus, and Nuclear Warhead. Just two shots would destroy as area the size of New York City.

The Extremis Armor was essentially your average armored exoskeleton, only mechanized, given a power source, and surrounded by a Foot of armor. An average person within the Extremis Armor would be able to move a full 30 miles per hour faster, jump at least 50 feet higher, and punch with a whole 4 tons of force.

So, the Extremis Troopers were essentially Space Marines.

Julius donned his own Extremis Armor, the Extremis II. The Extremis II was given a significant power boost that effectively doubled the power of an average Extremis Warrior, and given the ability to fly.

Emperor Julius grabbed the Sword of Emperors, and stood at the mast of the main Korian Cruiser, His own Nemesis, and pointed it towards the Nearest Portal.

"HALF OF THE IMPERIAL FORCES HEAD TO EARTH! RAZE IT TO THE VERY GROUND ITSELF. MY FORCES SHALL EMBARK TO CONCORDIA, AND BRING THE END OF WALKER'S FORCES! NO LONGER SHALL THEY KILL OUR PEOPLE! ADENIEN!!!! TO WAR!!!!!"

The 30 Korians lifted off the ground; 15 for Earth, 15 for Concordia.

Nobody was aware of the coming storm that was millions of Extremis Warriors.

*Council of Remnant; Amity Colluseum, Over the Sea of Sanus*

"Their outrageous, short-lived reign MUST be brought to an end, Ozpin!" Ironwood demanded

"I agree, this plan is incredibly insane, but you said their forces are barely anything, right?" Professor Goodwich figured.

"This... Is outrageous." Ozpin simply stated.

"WHAT?!" Vice-Admiral Cobalt of Mistral gasped.

"These are our students. Our Guardians. While I agree staking claim to Vytal is largely ill-advised, We must give them a chance." Ozpin simply stated.

"Do you not know the stakes of such a move?!" Head of Council König demanded in shock.

"I've... read much of history... Remnant's will is breaking in these times of Civil War. We must show Unity in the face of such a move. Who knows what kind of Chaos committing to this operation would become of this?" Ozpin asked.

"You... may have a point... But our decision was already final. Operation: Erobern is a go. All our available forces are onboard for this. This only finalized your treachery, Professor." König declared.

"He is right, Ozpin." a hauntingly familiar voice stated as everyone in the room was killed.

Arrows, Blades, Gunfire... In mere moments, the entire council had been slain by Cinder, Primis, and Beta.

"Stand down." Beta commanded.

Ozpin glared before disappearing.

"Where did he go?!" Cinder demanded.

"Don't let him escape!!" Beta roared as Primis gave chase.

Ozpin was aware he was being followed, raised his cane, spearing through Atlesian Knights and human troops as well.

"He's headed towards the Landing bay!!!" Primis shouted as Ozpin quickened his pace.

By the time Primis caught up, Ozpin teleported everywhere, one place. To the next. And the next.

Primis could hear the Ancient Scholar teleporting all around him as he drew his sword, catching his 'foe' in the side as he ran off.

Primis gave chase once more, brandishing his sword, only to get batted away once more, much to his anger.

Primis charged again, flying to the Flight Deck.

...Only to meet Ozpin there.

Ozpin attacked, teleporting all around and beating Primis down.

"The coast is clear only for a moment. I have a plan.." Ozpin explained, seemingly knowing about Primis' turn.

"W-What?" Primis gasped.

"Listen, I already sent a warning to the students. My task is done, but the Inquisitors need to gain your trust." Ozpin explained, raising Primis' sword to his chest.

"W-W-What..? You want me to-?"

"Don't worry... I won't be gone for long.. Just remember to give me my Cane back." Ozpin smirked.

Primis looked away, raising his blade and swinging.

Cinder had caught Primis in time, witnessing Ozpin's head fall to the ground.

"My, my... I never thought you had it in you... Return to your home, Adenienite. I hear there's a new Emperor in town..." Cinder smirked mockingly.

She knew about Julius..

This could be a problem..