Vol-2: 083. Complex Dispute

083. Complex Dispute

The rise of the Red Arrow Empire was both difficult and complex, but regardless of the challenges, as a latecomer, the Red Arrow Empire joined the GTB and became today's dominant power, ruling the world in technology, finance, and medicine.

The mechanical legions crushed the frozen rivers and old dreams, and Red Arrow's generals, carrying treaties and scarlet arrows, marched to battle. One after another, as they broke through the capitals of nations that once occupied their land, Red Arrow's soldiers would paste those shameful documents all over, pinning them with red arrows to doors, so the nations could remember their past mistakes.

Over the past three hundred years, Red Arrow's territory has expanded constantly. To the east, they ride to Tianhuan; to the west, they sweep over Frost-Plated. They have destroyed and annexed dozens of nations. Their territory now far surpasses that of the old Blue Ink Alliance. They no longer fear the great powers, for now, they are the great power.

However, for the five hundred million Red Arrow citizens, reclaiming the Huamida Archipelago remains their greatest demand in this lifetime.

The dispute over the Huamida Archipelago has long roots. It is a fragment of an old-world nuclear-powered continental block, but after the Esha Crisis, the entire world froze over, and the Huamida Archipelago stopped drifting, becoming a stationary artificial barrier that sheltered the Blue Ink Alliance.

To understand this concept, imagine it as an unsinkable aircraft carrier capable of launching 10,000 fighter jets at once, laden with the military facilities the old-world Yamiriko Federation left behind to assist the Blue Ink Alliance.

The technology and production capabilities of Azure Star are far behind those of the old world. Whoever controls the Huamida Archipelago essentially controls the old world's full suite of chips and programming technology.

For example, Azure Star's most advanced fighter jet is the Frost-Plated 'Vulture,' which can only link to a maximum of twelve loyal drones. However, with the old-world's chips and programming technology, this number could increase to 220.

This isn't an exaggeration. The same issue occurs with the mech problem. Everyone knows that large humanoid mechs are completely impractical for atmospheric combat, but Azure Star has no choice. In the Outer Regions, if the machines aren't enlarged, they cannot withstand the cold.

But with old-world technology, the mech size could be reduced to under five meters, while still maintaining the same speed and efficiency as before.

With resources so valuable, Tianhuan would never return the Huamida Archipelago to the Red Arrow Empire.

To protect the technological equipment, the two longstanding military rivals pulled back from the archipelago but never forgot to assert their sovereignty, engaging in skirmishes around the surrounding areas. This conflict has been ongoing for forty years. Red Arrow, driven by a deep connection to their homeland and the value of the technology, relentlessly pursued this issue, enforcing a series of economic sanctions that led to a collapse in the value of Tianhuan's currency and resulted in the country's high unemployment and stagnation.

It is well known that during times of economic decline, the cost of committing crimes decreases. Those left homeless and jobless turn to crime to survive, and under such conditions, ordinary citizens become the victims.

—What, do you think the poor would rob the rich? Would they steal from the aristocracy and the great clans?

All four nations have gun control, but with the economy in shambles, the best firearms a commoner can afford are basic assault rifles. The estates of politicians and corporate families are protected by Beta-level elites, elite warriors, and military forces. Only a fool would target them.

The weak will always draw their blades against the weaker.

Tianhuan's government's laissez-faire management generally uses a simple and brutal method to handle these internal conflicts: War.

Don't have a job? Gather a few people, form a security expedition team, and seize land in the Outer Regions. As long as you pay taxes, Tianhuan will recognize you.

In this environment, countless people armed themselves and rushed into the Outer Regions. In just twenty years, Tianhuan expanded its territory by 33%, and along with the war and the captured populations, both birth and death rates soared to new heights.

But the vast majority of Tianhuan's ordinary citizens could no longer endure this. They were just a generation of ordinary workers' children who had received an education that made them aware of the realities of war. The continuous death and fear caused them to abandon the fantasy of education as a path to a better life and develop a deep resentment for war.

If things continue like this, the nation will collapse.

It was at this point that Tianhuan began repeatedly attempting to land on the Huamida Archipelago. This action severely provoked the empire, which coldly stated, "We may not have many nuclear bombs, but we have enough to drag the world down with us."

But this attitude only further polarized Tianhuan's internal divisions—hawkish factions advocating war became even more rampant, seeing this as a sign of weakness, while dovish factions criticized the collapsing economy, calling for an end to the suffering.

Hearing this, the common people finally broke down. If a war over the archipelago broke out, they would be the first sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder.

Rather than die in an unjust war, it would be better to revolt and take down that dog, Prime Minister Park Jeong-sun.

The Tianchihuan•Akaban Squad, the National Unity Army, the Tianhuan Student Salvation League… such organizations sprouted up everywhere. Initially, they only protested, but after they blew up police stations and seized military equipment, they started conducting various attacks.

The struggle finally had an effect, and Tianhuan's politicians, unable to withstand the pressure, directly ordered corporations to strike back.

Within a year, 220,000 members were arrested and imprisoned. The absolute power disparity led to the disbandment of most organizations. Some members turned into outlaws, shifting from anti-war heroes to motorcycle-riding bandits and looters. Survival became the only priority.

"The Tianchihuan, one heart for the nation, the red sun shall not set, shining upon the East!"

The Tianchihuan Akaban Squad, a military organization that still adhered to this creed, maintained its structure and discipline. Because the full name was too long, people referred to them as the Akaban Squad. However, many rogue groups appropriated the name, so calling them Akaban was seen as more precise.

The Akaban Squad and the Royalists represent two of Tianhuan's main storylines:

Players can choose to join the Akaban Squad, raiding military supplies, assassinating corporate executives, and spreading anti-war messages to gain the people's sympathy. The ultimate goal is to overthrow the Ring King and the ruling clans, establishing a functional government.

Or, they can choose to become retainers of the clans, gaining wealth and status as samurai, while continuing the war and maintaining the current decaying order.

Li Aozi wasn't a Tianhuan native, but he was very familiar with these two main storylines.

Tianhuan people despised both Mutants and Omega Energy users, considering them abominations that corrupted the purity of human bloodlines. The Akaban Squad, however, welcomed any power they could find, recruiting many Omega Energy users. This even attracted international volunteers.

Among them was the 'Black Knight' Gretorvo•Night Song.