September 23rd. Regardless of his true intentions, under pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church, Federal President Sogiye I. Kleinikov issued a declaration of war. The statent declared that unless Academy City responded by midnight on September 24th (Moscow local ti) and disclosed their most advanced scientific technology to Russia, they would formally declare war.
In response, Academy City’s Board of Directors replied: "No need to wait until tomorrow. Here’s your answer now—if you want scientific technology, dream on. Want a fight? Bring it on!"
The Russian Federation subsequently declared war on Academy City.
Following closely was Italy, located on the Apennine Peninsula and under the control of the Roman Orthodox Church. Whether they wanted to or not, once Fiamma of the Right’s chosen partner had made a move, the Italian governnt under Roman Orthodox influence had no choice but to follow suit.
Having openly torn off the mask, the Roman Orthodox Church refused to resort to the hypocritical act of undeclared war. Both the Church and its believers demanded an open and righteous "holy war."
Amidst the global chaos and outcry, the governnts of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and North Africa issued public statents formally declaring war against Academy City.
At 4:00 PM the sa day, the Board of Directors convened an ergency decision-making session in the First District’s administrative tower. They issued a statent strongly condemning the shaless actions of the Roman Orthodox Church. The directors unanimously passed a resolution declaring war on the Roman Orthodox Church and its allied nations.
Undoubtedly, this declaration wasn’t just for the Roman Orthodox Church—it was a signal.
At 6:00 PM that night, countries across the Aricas, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, led by the United States, followed Academy City’s lead and formally declared war on the Roman Orthodox Church and its allies.
At 7:00 PM, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, along with all Commonwealth nations, officially declared war on the Roman Orthodox Church and its affiliates.
At 8:00 PM, the Roman Orthodox Church and its allies declared war on the United Kingdom and all of Academy City’s allied nations.
At 9:00 PM, the Russian Orthodox Church declared war on the United Kingdom and all its allies, dispatching magical combat forces along with ground and air units from the Eastern Military District into the territory of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations. Thus began yet another continental war in Europe.
Following this cascade of war declarations, global stock markets collapsed, trading halted, and strict controls were implented. Even in unaffected countries, panic quickly spread—hoarding of food, weapons, and widespread looting ensued.
Invisible fear and malice began to spread across the globe.
Although the threat of war between the Roman Orthodox Church and Academy City had long lood over nations and individuals alike, no one expected the conflict to erupt so suddenly.
In the top-floor office of the Board’s administrative tower, Selene sat silently behind a mahogany desk, her gaze fixed on the holographic screen adorned with a double-headed eagle emblem.
"As expected... Carissa’s chosen first target is France. A pair of quarrelso rivals with centuries of enmity."
Watching the missile-lit shores of the Dover Strait glow orange-red on the holographic display, Selene flipped through a folder, spun a fountain pen, and rested her chin on a pale, slender wrist adorned with a mysterious, shimring silver bracelet. She chuckled softly.
Both countries bore centuries-old animosity—whether in terms of national governance or cultural mory. Without a common enemy like Germany, friction between them was nothing new. One now followed the Roman Orthodox Church, the other the Anglican Church—putting them at direct odds in terms of faith.
Currently, France was led from the shadows by soone known as the "Nation’s Enchantress," revered by the people as the "Saint of Versailles." And the origin of that inherited title?
Saint Jeanne d’Arc.
And whose foe did Jeanne earn her accolades fighting against?
Britain!
Now, with Britain openly supporting Academy City, France was branding them traitors to Christianity, apostates, servants of the scientific side, and more.
As soon as war broke out, aside from the Russian Orthodox Church deploying massive forces into the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations, the most intense fighting occurred between the longti rivals—England and France—after they declared war on each other.
In a national address, Second Princess Carissa, acting as regent, confird that the Channel Tunnel beneath the Dover Strait had indeed been destroyed by France. She also announced the capture of a French nuclear-powered submarine operating in the Dover Strait.
Clearly, beyond targeting the Roman Orthodox Church, Carissa had also chosen France as a ans of asserting authority. What better target to make a statent than a century-old archenemy?
Selene had authorized the use of deep-sea sonar imaging and other high-tech weaponry provided by Academy City—truly worthy of being the scientific side’s leader.
With ticulous planning, Carissa not only prepared her nation for war but also mobilized the Royal Navy. A mixed force of Anglican and Knight Factions stord across the Dover Strait and had already seized two major coastal cities in northwestern France: Calais and Gravelines.
France was caught off guard.
Though they had considered exploiting Britain’s internal political turmoil—especially after parts of Buckingham Palace collapsed—Britain’s rapid declaration of war and imdiate assault had left them reeling.
France’s war preparedness paled in comparison to Britain’s. Who could have predicted the Roman Orthodox Church would launch a war at this juncture? That Carissa would stabilize her regi so swiftly and mount a counterstrike? Even as France scrambled to mobilize its forces, Britain had already arrived at their doorstep.
One couldn’t even bla the border troops for dereliction. France had indeed been cautious, reinforcing its borders quietly even before the official declaration. Even if they were herding pigs, it should’ve taken a few days—enough ti for mobilization.
Yet in the end, the border defenses were shattered in a single encounter, and the air force scrambled to respond suffered heavy losses.
Distress signals flooded into Paris like snowflakes.
Image: HsWAV-15
Caption: Encountered a large number of next-generation heavy armor units. Confird models include Academy City’s Schicksal-manufactured HsWAV-15 "Milliped" main battle tank, military robots, HsPS-15 power armor units, and HsF-01 large supersonic fighters...
In short, it’s not that our army didn’t try—it’s that the enemy brought Gundams! The tech gap is just too massive!
Realizing this, the Paris authorities turned pale. Damn! You’ve been importing and stockpiling so many Academy City-made high-tech weapons... and you still dare call yourselves innocent victims?
Turns out you were the ones planning this all along!
Enraged though they were, France was still a major power and acted decisively. The governnt imdiately deployed all assembled military units to the Calais–Gravelines front line.
They pulled out all the stops—deploy whatever had been mustered. Not enough transport? Send what you can!
Backed into a corner, they even mobilized magical forces alongside their modern arsenal.
If Paris itself ca under siege, where would France’s pride go?
"Targeting energy supply lines as the breakthrough point... sharp instinct. Now let’s see who cracks first."
In the initial assault, offshore drilling platforms, energy pipelines, and key power grid lines in northern France were all struck. Predictably, energy and electricity supplies in the region took a massive hit—even Paris was affected, with half the city plunged into blackouts.
"Still, I wonder if that French buff is still in play—the one where they only win wars when led by won or foreigners..."
Extending a slender, delicate finger, Selene traced across the holographic screen while watching a live broadcast from France’s central news channel. A French joke ca to mind.
At this mont, news of the fall of France’s two major northwestern strongholds had spread across the global internet. In a live broadcast from the Palace of Versailles, to boost morale among troops and civilians, France’s true leader—the "Nation’s Enchantress," long secluded within the palace—finally erged.
Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, the "Enchantress" had unnaturally pale skin, with slightly sunken eye sockets. She wore a luxurious white ceremonial gown of loose design.
Watching the people cheer and salute with celebratory cannon fire, Selene made her assessnt. "Morale is still usable... They still have so fight in them."
At least they had restrained themselves—for now—no nuclear warheads thrown at the opening.
"Expand sustained military supplies to the British military. Whether by air or sea, use all global logistics partners and military bases affiliated with Academy City. If necessary, authorize the sale of blueprints and production lines."
Selene swiftly issued her directive.
Indeed, though Aleister was still the nominal Board Chairman of Academy City and had signed the declaration of war on behalf of the scientific side, real control had already passed to Selene. All operational coordination and strategic command were now under her purview.
As for Aleister himself?
He had erged from the life support system but secluded himself in a space aligned with Academy City—the Imaginary Number District: Five Elents Institution.
There, he conducted final adjustnts, awaiting Selene’s acquisition of the Roman Orthodox Church’s texts and "miracles" to complete the "Artificial Heaven."
"Slavic air units have been neutralized. anwhile, a patrol fleet detected an unidentified submarine..."
Reviewing the next intelligence report, Selene couldn’t help but chuckle.
As the de facto leader of the Russian Orthodox Church—one of Christianity’s three major factions—Bishop Nikolai Tolstoy was far too naïve.
Trying to challenge Academy City on technological grounds?
In the seas near Indonesia, over twenty Russian submarines had been detected maneuvering from the Pacific. Analysts believed their goal was to intercept Academy City’s supply lines by sea and blockade Japan.
The Tokyo Cabinet sent representatives to consult Selene on whether to expel them—
Expel? What nonsense. Sink them.
Selene decisively stamped a big red "X" over the Tokyo Cabinet’s proposal.
Cowards. Since the Russian Orthodox Church issued their war declaration, Japan’s central governnt had responded with passivity and weakness—going so far as to suggest Academy City accept Russia’s terms to avoid war.
Selene had harshly scolded the diplomat sent to relay that ssage. "Even the students of Academy City have more backbone than you worms." She imdiately revoked the Tokyo Cabinet’s military command authority, assud direct control of the Self-Defense Forces, and placed Tokyo under martial law—administered by a composite force of Schicksal’s private military, ard robots, and power armor units.
She gave them face—didn’t force them to step down—internal affairs could still be managed by the Cabinet. But in diplomacy and military matters, they were reduced to re mouthpieces.
"The North Arican Joint Forces have crossed the Bering Strait and landed at Cape Dezhnev in Siberia. Requesting tactical guidance from Academy City... Oh, they want tech and gear? Sure, sure."
Selene recognized the Aricans’ underlying motive but didn’t call them out. They claid their main forces were still organizing dostically, so they chose to strike nearby targets first—like Siberia. In truth? They were avoiding casualties.
Tch, what happened to the world-policing Uncle Sam bravado?
Still, it was understandable. In this world, magic, alchemy, and all manner of supernatural powers ran rampant. The U.S. was still relatively "young," barely 200 years old. (P.S. In the world of mysticism, the older and more ancient the history, the more powerful.)
Approved—grant the North Arican Joint Forces supplies suitable for high-latitude, frigid climates. Also, provide them with a semi-experintal formula for thermal dication to prevent frostbite and maintain body heat.
Secondly, under directive from Chairman Aleister, open the second theater of war in West Africa. Expel French forces from West and Central Africa to bolster the UK’s offensive.
Though many African regions had gained independence, the remnants of French colonial influence were far from erased. French remained the dominant language, and the franc was still in circulation. More importantly, these areas were crucial to France for their supply of grain, minerals, and energy.
With no psychological burden whatsoever, Selene used Aleister as the lofty "villain," while she herself played the part of the diplomatic middlewoman.
"Encountered Roman Orthodox ’Crusade’ forces in the Strait of Malacca. Sighting of the ’Queen of the Adriatic Sea’ confird. All Lv5s are now engaged in battle..."
Indeed, Selene had deployed Academy City’s Level 5 espers to the front lines against the Roman Orthodox Church. Honestly, they were the scientific side’s greatest assets—why waste them on civil wars? Send them to fight external enemies!
Knock knock!
Just as Selene was about to review additional information, the door to her office was suddenly knocked.
"Co in."
Without averting her gaze, Selene softly gave permission. In the next mont, the door opened, and the towering fra of a power armor guard stepped aside to reveal a spiky-haired boy rushing in urgently.
"Selene, is it true? Has World War III really begun?!"
Here you are, Kamijou Touma. The final piece... I’ve been waiting for you.
At his words, Selene finally looked up. Her scarlet, diamond-shaped pupils quietly regarded the most unpredictable boy in the world.
"I—"
"Save your naive words for soone else, Kamijou-kun."
She cut him off without hesitation, already anticipating his response. "Do you rember what I said before? We’re not the ones who started this war. It was—"
Snap!
With a sharp snap of her fingers, the wall behind her, normally resembling an embossed screen, turned transparent—revealing the sprawling city bathed in neon under the night sky.
At that exact mont—
Woooooo—!
"—Them."
As Selene spoke, piercing air-raid sirens rang out. Academy City’s terminal defense system activated. Countless bursts of anti-air fire, interceptors, and missiles launched into the sky.
Simultaneously, a thunderous roar echoed from above the clouds as the orange glow of missile trails lit up the sky.
BZZZZ!
One second later—
BOOOOM—!!
Explosions erupted in the upper atmosphere, the searing heat scorching the clouds thousands of ters above. The thunderous blasts and rising fireballs lit up Kamijou Touma’s stunned face in hues of orange.
"Russian-made guided missiles, launched at close range by embedded spies and agents. These weapons were smuggled into Honshu during or even before the Daihasei Festival. They sacrificed dozens of deep-cover operatives and incredible resources just to rain missiles on our heads."
"Tell , Kamijou—why do you think they did this?"
Her words hit him like a hamr.
"Greed? Profit? No."
Selene rose from her chair, narrowing her crimson eyes as she looked across the desk at the boy.
"This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about belief, about where you stand. So tell , Kamijou Touma—can Academy City trust you?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon/DaoOfHeaven
User Comments
0 comments from readers