Ursus, Sankt Petersburg.
"Do they still see me as their emperor?"
In the study of the Ursus Imperial Palace, the current emperor, Feodor, angrily threw the documents in his hand. Instantly, dozens of white papers scattered in the air.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." A steady figure standing in front of the desk spoke in a deep voice. This was the current Chancellor of the Ursus Empire, a trusted confidant of the emperor.
"Calm down? They've even dared to meddle with the Internal Guards. How can I calm down?"
Although Feodor said this, he still lowered his arm, which he had raised to sweep everything off the desk.
For the emperor of Ursus, the most infuriating aspect of the Chernobog incident was undoubtedly the betrayal of the Internal Guards. To put it bluntly, even if another mobile city were destroyed, it wouldn't anger him as much as the betrayal of the Internal Guards.
The Internal Guards were the exclusive privilege of the Ursus emperor and the greatest guarantee of his power. If even the Internal Guards couldn't be trusted, what security did the emperor have left?
It was akin to the Shadow Guard under Emperor Qin Shi Huang betraying him.
"Your Majesty, according to the interrogations, the Internal Guards didn't exactly betray us. It seems they were merely cooperating."
"Cooperation? Isn't that betrayal?"
Chancellor Vytor didn't respond. The Internal Guards were the emperor's exclusive privilege, and even he couldn't interfere too much in this matter. This time, he was only involved because of the Internal Guards' betrayal, but his involvement was limited.
"How is the situation in Chernobog now?" After taking a deep breath, the Ursus emperor finally calmed down and began to inquire about the aftermath of the Chernobog incident.
"It's complicated, Your Majesty."
"Complicated?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. According to the information obtained from the Internal Guards, there are individuals involved whose strength surpasses that of the Internal Guards."
The Internal Guards were powerful, but they weren't the pinnacle of strength on Terra. Aside from deities like Nian, Dusk, Ling, and Yelagand, even Skadi and Gladiia from the Abyssal Hunters could easily defeat ordinary Internal Guards.
Of course, there were humans who surpassed the Internal Guards in strength. For example, the Tian Shi Fu in Yan had many experts, and one of them, Jingzhe's master, had lived for hundreds of years.
If Yan had such individuals, who could guarantee that Ursus didn't? The reason they hadn't appeared much was likely because they were on the front lines fighting against the demons.
"Is it someone from Yan?" After a moment of contemplation, Feodor asked.
"It's unclear, but it might not be. Wei Yenwu from Lungmen sent me a letter. Although he didn't say much in it, the letter hinted at caution. Of course, this doesn't completely rule out the possibility of Yan's involvement."
For those in power, considering both sides of any situation was essential. Just as Wei Yenwu had considered the possibility of the Chernobog incident being a conspiracy between the Ursus emperor and Chancellor Vytor when Talulah planned to attack Lungmen.
"What actions have they taken?" Feodor fell silent for a while before asking.
"Aside from the immortal black snake, who has gone missing, the others haven't shown any unusual behavior. According to previous investigations, they don't seem to have been involved in the immortal black snake's plans."
Koschei, the immortal black snake, was a well-kept secret to most, but not to the emperor and chancellor of Ursus.
"No involvement? Hmph." Feodor sneered but didn't dwell on the issue. The existence of immortals was something even he couldn't easily deal with. After all, when Ursus overthrew the Griffin Empire and established its own, immortals had played a role. Their influence in Ursus was deeply rooted.
Unless the emperor was willing to risk the nation's safety to take action against them, he could only endure. Even the previous warmongering emperor of Ursus had to tolerate them.
"What about Duke Baikal and the others?" Since the immortals couldn't be dealt with, the emperor turned his attention to the others involved in the incident.
"By the time the Internal Guards arrived, Duke Baikal had already committed suicide. Most of the other involved nobles met the same fate." Chancellor Vytor spoke calmly.
"Suicide? Hmph." Feodor sneered again but didn't press the issue. Since they were already dead, whether it was truly suicide or not no longer mattered.
"What's the situation in Chernobog now?" Feodor asked.
"That's where the complication lies. According to the latest intelligence, they plan to establish a city for the infected there—a city where the infected and non-infected can coexist."
Daniel Davis had made no effort to hide his plans. Even without the potential spies within Chernobog, the numerous Ursus civilians who had left the city would easily spread the news. This was an open strategy. Those who left Chernobog were walking advertisements. Once they reached other mobile cities, the news would inevitably leak out. Infected individuals in Ursus who heard this would surely head to Chernobog with a glimmer of hope.
Given the attitudes and policies toward the infected in various countries, Daniel Davis couldn't openly promote the idea of an infected city without offending every nation.
Like Rhodes Island, which had always been aiding the infected, their existence wasn't widely known. The information mostly circulated among the infected, and even most infected individuals didn't believe anyone would help them.
Did Rhodes Island want to advertise on the news or the internet? Of course, but it wasn't allowed. Just as Rhodes Island couldn't set up offices in Ursus, in Victoria, they operated under the guise of a company dealing in second-hand goods.
"A city for the infected?" Feodor sighed softly. The issue of the infected was now the biggest problem for Ursus.
The harsh treatment of the infected had finally come back to haunt Ursus. Infected uprisings were frequent, and although they were quickly suppressed, the conflict between the two sides continued to escalate.
It was only because the infected lacked a leader like Talulah that another Reunion Movement hadn't emerged. The infected led by Talulah were only a fraction of those in the Ursus Empire.
Feodor, who aimed to improve the situation, had once issued decrees regarding the infected, but under public pressure, he was forced to retract them. Even as the emperor, he couldn't go against the tide in this matter.
For Feodor, if this infected city were established in another country, he would be happy to see if infected and non-infected could truly coexist. But in Ursus, as the emperor, he couldn't allow a city to exist outside the empire's control.
"What does the parliament plan to do?" Feodor asked.
"The parliament's majority believes that such a city cannot be allowed to exist on Ursus soil." Chancellor Vytor replied.
"However, this situation is different. The opposing side is powerful. While the empire isn't afraid, if the losses are too great, the borders may become unstable."
Kazimierz, Sami, and Leithania were all neighboring countries with poor relations with Ursus. If Ursus showed weakness, they certainly wouldn't stand idly by.
This wasn't even considering Yan, which also shared a border with Ursus.
"What do you suggest?" Feodor's expression shifted slightly.
"Send the Third and Fourth Army Groups. Let them redeem themselves through merit." Chancellor Vytor proposed his idea. In theory, using a nation's military force against a single mobile city, especially one ruled by the infected, was overkill.
But the intelligence from the Internal Guards and the letter from Wei Yenwu gave Vytor a bad premonition. Logically, the empire couldn't lose, as no matter how strong the opposing side was, they couldn't stand against an army.
But as the empire's chancellor, he had to consider the empire's current state and the consequences of a potential loss. In this situation, sending the old noble factions was the best choice.
This way, whether they won or lost, the new noble faction led by the emperor wouldn't suffer losses. In fact, they could even use this opportunity to weaken the old noble faction.
If the new noble faction were sent, victory would be fine, but if they lost, the old noble faction, which had been suppressed with great difficulty, might rise again.
"Do we need to go to such lengths?" Feodor's expression darkened.
"Your Majesty, we cannot afford to lose now."
"Fine, proceed as you suggest."
"Nian is truly remarkable. She's achieved what even the Thirteen Flame-Chasers of MOTH couldn't."
In the core city of Chernobog, on the third floor of Daniel Davis's research institute, Daniel looked at Patriot, who was wearing the latest armor made from a combination of D32 steel, soul steel, and vibranium. He couldn't help but marvel at Nian's abilities.
However, since this armor was created using Nian's unique abilities, it couldn't be mass-produced. So far, Daniel had only managed to gather enough materials for a few pieces of equipment.
"With this armor, Patriot should be able to take on six Internal Guards without issue."
With the burden of Oripathy removed from his body and the enhanced defensive capabilities of the armor, Patriot in this state could truly be described as a one-man army.
"Next, I'll need your help again."
After completing Patriot's equipment, Daniel opened a holographic display showing a row of black armor and shields.
These were for the Shieldguards. Of course, they weren't made from the same materials as Patriot's armor but were entirely crafted from D32 steel.
Even so, this was an extravagant use of resources. On Terra, only the elite forces of various nations, such as the Internal Guards of Ursus or the Imperial Guards of Yan, could afford to equip their soldiers entirely with D32 steel.
D32 steel on Terra wasn't just exceptionally durable; it also conducted Originium Arts smoothly, making it the best material for crafting staves. Generally, a stave with a small amount of D32 steel could become an excellent weapon.
For example, Skyfire's stave was likely made this way.
"Don't be so polite. Besides, I've gained a lot from this." For Nian, the properties of vibranium and soul steel had significantly advanced her abilities.
"From your preparations, it seems you don't plan to intervene in the upcoming battle, do you?" Nian was well aware of the impending Ursus attack.
"It depends. If they can handle it themselves, I probably won't intervene. What's next is this." The Shieldguards' equipment was simple for Nian; the only challenge was the materials, which Daniel had in abundance.
However, the next set of equipment was different. It was a Valkyrie armor, primarily white with black accents. This was the fourth-generation Herrscher armor, Moonbeam, which Daniel had customized for FrostNova. The design was based on Rita's Moonbeam, with modifications to the materials and color scheme.
FrostNova, with her ice-based Originium Arts, paired with the ice-based Valkyrie armor, could unleash her abilities to their fullest potential. With this armor, FrostNova could even hold her own against Patriot. If Patriot weren't wearing the armor Daniel had crafted, he might not be able to defeat FrostNova.
As for Talulah, in her normal state, she was undoubtedly stronger than FrostNova. However, this wasn't because her Originium Arts were superior to FrostNova's. In terms of Originium Arts, FrostNova was on par with Talulah.
But Talulah was a Draco, while FrostNova was just an ordinary Cautus. She wasn't a Chimera.
However, if Talulah also wore the fourth-generation Herrscher armor, FrostNova wouldn't stand a chance. Daniel had crafted two sets of Herrscher armor—one for FrostNova and one for Talulah.
"I wonder if Nian can eat a Devil Fruit. The Baku Baku no Mi would complement her abilities perfectly. I'll have to find an opportunity to ask her." Nian's innate abilities, combined with the Baku Baku no Mi, could potentially take her powers to the next level.
"Next up is the Snowsquad's equipment. Their abilities can complement FrostNova's, making them a cohesive combat unit."
"Let's begin the tests."
After completing the Valkyrie armor for FrostNova and Talulah, Daniel decided to conduct a practical test to gauge the armor's capabilities. The two would face off in a battle.
"The clash of ice and fire. FrostNova is still slightly weaker. Racial traits make a difference."
The battle between the two was intense, reducing the mountain serving as their battlefield by dozens of meters. This was the first time Daniel had witnessed the full extent of Talulah's flames. When Koschei had controlled her body, Daniel hadn't given her a chance to fight back. Although he knew Talulah's Originium Arts were powerful, seeing them in action was another matter.
"Can this be mass-produced?" After watching the battle, Kal'tsit immediately asked. The power of the Valkyrie armor had left a deep impression on her.
"If we disregard the cost, then yes." Daniel nodded slightly and continued, "But there's a problem: not everyone can control the fourth-generation Herrscher armor. Does Rhodes Island need it?"
Materials weren't an issue. If cost wasn't a concern, they could produce more. However, perfectly controlling the fourth-generation Herrscher armor wasn't easy. It was like the difference between driving a car and piloting a plane.
Of course, Daniel didn't plan to mass-produce the armor. It was only for FrostNova and Talulah. As for Amiya, she didn't need it. Inheriting the power of the Ten Kings, if she fully awakened, she could likely take on Nian, Ling, and the others.
If Kal'tsit wanted to prepare one for Amiya, Daniel wouldn't object.
But that was the extent of it. Daniel had no intention of mass-producing and selling Valkyrie armor. Not in a world with eldritch gods and the Seaborn. Especially the Seaborn—he didn't want to see them wearing Valkyrie armor one day.
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