Somewhere within the Empire.
A tense silence filled the grand chamber, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the stone walls.
At the center of the room sat Prime Minister Albrecht von Helmgard, the Empire's chief strategist and most trusted advisor to the Emperor.
His usually composed demeanor was marred by a deep furrow in his brow as he tapped his fingers against the polished oak desk.
The aide before him shifted uneasily before speaking again.
"Your Excellency, we have lost all contact with Commander Clausen. His last report indicated that he and his men had encountered something—his exact words described it as a 'metal fortress' on the beach."
Albrecht's fingers stopped tapping. His sharp gaze met the aide's.
"A metal fortress?" he repeated, voice dangerously calm.
"Y-Yes, sir. That was the last transmission before all communication ceased."
Albrecht leaned back, exhaling heavily.
He had served the Empire long enough to recognize when something was amiss.
A military detachment suddenly disappearing wasn't unheard of, but the mention of a metal fortress? That was something beyond ordinary.
His mind raced through possibilities. Was this some unknown kingdom's secret weapon? A foreign power testing their strength? Or... was it something not of this world?
The aide hesitated before adding, "Should I notify His Majesty?"
Albrecht waved a hand. "Not yet. Without solid information, there's no need to trouble him with baseless speculation."
He stood, his deep blue cloak shifting as he moved toward the large map spread across the war table.
His eyes scanned the coastal regions before landing on the suspected location of Clausen's last report.
"Send a reconnaissance team immediately," he ordered. "I want scouts and mages surveying that area by sunrise. Increase maritime patrols—double the fleet presence along the coast. If this 'fortress' is still there, I want to know what it is and who controls it."
The aide bowed. "Understood, Your Excellency. What of the missing troops?"
Albrecht's gaze darkened. "Until we find evidence otherwise, assume the worst."
A silence followed, thick with unspoken words. Finally, Albrecht exhaled, glancing once more at the map.
"If this is an enemy's doing, we will crush them before they become a threat."
The aide bowed and hurried from the room, leaving Albrecht alone with his thoughts.
Something deep in his gut told him that this was no ordinary enemy. Something unnatural had come to their world... and it was only a matter of time before the Empire would be forced to face it.
***
"What is this?" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Right now, I was exploring the ship—something I hadn't had the opportunity to do before.
My time had been spent either in the Federation or aboard the Coyote Monarch, leaving little chance to inspect Leith in detail.
As I ventured deeper, my steps echoed through the steel corridors until I arrived at one of the main batteries. If I remember correctly, according to the wiki, it is a 420 mm/50 SK L/50 guns, mounted on a Drh LC/1918 turret.
YOU ARE READING
Quefaialm: In Another World With A Battleship
FantasyThere was once a game called Warship Online. A game where you create your own avatar and you'll be given a ship of your choosing. Nathan Esser, a dedicated player, had just completed a mission and decided to rest. But when he woke up, he found himse...
