Chapter 3: The Approaching Storm

The morning air on the Baron Kingdom border was cool, biting at his skin, but it wasn't the mountain chill that made Shimizuka Touya shiver. It was the emptiness, the fatigue gnawing at his soul right down to the bone. After his "dishonorable expulsion" from that noble hero's party—or rather, after being slapped with the reality that he simply didn't fit into the intrigues of this isekai world—he ran. He tried his luck as a wandering merchant in remote villages, his normally neat black hair now a bit messy, his glasses perpetually perched on his nose, and his dark eyes often filled with complicated thoughts. Touya was just an ordinary young man trying to survive, one day at a time.

As he was arranging his wares at a shabby stall, an unexpected sight slammed into his eyes. A four-wheeled vehicle of olive green, completely unheard of in this world, drove down the dirt road. Touya's heart pounded. He recognized that shape. A pickup truck from his own world, carrying stacks of fresh, newly harvested vegetables, not the withered produce he usually sold. This... this couldn't be.

A friendly-faced driver, a brown-furred beastkin with twitching ears and a uniform that somehow looked incredibly neat, stepped out and offered his goods. "Fresh vegetables from Sonka! A blessing from Lord Amano! Special discounts for new merchants!"

That name. Amano Hiragi. The "magic-less." The "trash" discarded by Goddess Helena. How was this possible? Touya's brain spun. That curiosity, like an electric current, surged through his entire body, overriding all the caution he usually held. Without a second thought, he gathered his remaining money and made a decision. He had to go there. Towards the direction that driver had mentioned: the New Gelmist Federation.

The journey felt like a dream, yet it changed everything. When he arrived at the Federation's border, Touya froze. His eyes widened like saucers. Before him lay a city identical to Japan. Smooth asphalt roads stretched as far as the eye could see, modern glass buildings reflected the sunlight, traffic lights changed colors with a soothing rhythm, and even a large wheeled bus cruised along a dedicated lane. Citizens of various races—humans, elves, to beastkin—interacted normally, without the slightest hint of discrimination. Children in school uniforms laughed cheerfully on the sidewalk, their backpacks swaying with their joyful steps. There were no pathetic shacks, no disgusting mud. This... this was a piece of home that had suddenly appeared in the middle of a foreign world, embracing his lonely heart.

As he walked, like a lost soul in paradise, admiring every detail of the city dubbed Sonka, his eyes caught a familiar figure in a bright, modern convenience store. A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, neatly dressed, was Browse items with a faint smile on her lips.

"Kikuchi-sensei, is that you?" Touya's voice caught in his throat, disbelieving.

The woman turned, her eyes widening, then a familiar, friendly smile bloomed. "Oh my, isn't that Shimizuka Touya?"

"That's right, Sensei! What are you doing here?!" His voice was almost a shout.

They eventually sat in a comfortable modern cafe, the soothing aroma of coffee filling the air. Kikuchi-sensei, with her gentle smile and understanding gaze, told him everything: about Amano being abandoned, the unexpected gifts from the divine grandparents, his burning determination to build a modern civilization, and her own role as a diplomatic and educational advisor. Touya listened intently, sometimes his eyes widening in awe, sometimes nodding in silent comprehension. He had never imagined Amano could do all this. The mere thought warmed his heart.

"Sensei," Touya said, determination radiating from his eyes, almost like a newly kindled flame. "I... I want to meet Lord Amano. I want to offer my expertise. I understand trade, and I can see how all of this can be developed further. Please, I want to be a part of this!"

Kikuchi-sensei smiled brightly, as if Touya had just uttered the most beautiful words in the world. "Of course, Touya-kun. Come with me."

They both then headed to a larger building, the Federation's administrative headquarters. Inside a spacious yet functional office, Amano Hiragi was busy in front of a holographic table, analyzing construction project data. His black hair was slightly disheveled, typical of Amano, who was always engrossed in his work, oblivious to the world around him.

"Amano, we have an important guest," Kikuchi-sensei said with a warm smile.

Amano turned, his eyes narrowing slightly. It took him a few seconds to process who was standing there. "Touya...?" he murmured, a little surprised. He recognized his former classmate, though it had been a long time.

Touya, slightly nervous but utterly respectful, stepped forward and bowed deeply. His heart was pounding like a war drum. "Lord Amano," he said firmly, his voice trembling slightly with admiration. "I am Shimizuka Touya. I... I humbly ask to be allowed to join this Federation. I possess expertise in trade. I see immense potential here, and I wish to contribute. Please!"

Amano looked at Touya for a moment. There was a faint shadow of the past, but what he saw now was a young man with genuine skill and undeniable determination shining in his eyes. His Federation needed people like this. This was a new opportunity, not just for the Federation, but also for Touya. "Very well, Touya," Amano replied, a faint smile spreading on his lips. "I accept you. This Federation needs competent people like you. Welcome to the New Gelmist Federation. From now on, you are the Minister of Trade."

Without wasting time, Touya was immediately given an office and some initial staff. His first day in the New Gelmist Federation was quickly filled with organizing supply lines, market strategies, and initial negotiations. The efficient, advanced, and clean world of commerce in Sonka made Touya feel utterly in his element, as if he had just rediscovered himself. Yet, he knew that outside, far greater things were happening. A storm, perhaps, was gathering on the horizon.

Meanwhile, in an unfamiliar room, Vionna slowly opened her eyes. A faint dizziness clouded her head, but the stabbing pain in her body had significantly lessened. She blinked, trying to adjust to the soft light of the room. She turned to the side, and in a chair by her bed, she saw Sarah sleeping soundly, her face still showing remnants of exhaustion. A faint, relieved smile bloomed on Vionna's lips. A sense of peace washed over her, knowing Sarah was safe.

She tried to get up, a wave of curiosity washing over her. This room... she didn't recognize it at all. A strange yet clean scent filled her senses. This was clearly not a room in Felda's palace, nor the dreaded prison cell of Zomun. As she was still pondering, the door creaked open softly.

Kikuchi-sensei, dressed in neat, cream-colored clothes that looked incredibly modern, smiled warmly upon seeing Vionna awake. "Princess Vionna, thankfully you've fully regained consciousness. How are you feeling?"

Vionna tried to answer, but her stomach suddenly rumbled, almost embarrassingly. Kikuchi-sensei chuckled softly. "You seem hungry. Come, I've prepared breakfast."

Vionna followed Kikuchi-sensei to a dining room that felt strange yet wonderfully comfortable. On the table, dishes she had never seen were laid out: fluffy white rice steaming, fragrant grilled fish seasoned beautifully, clear soup with thinly sliced seaweed, and golden-yellow rolled eggs. The delicious aroma made her mouth water, as if she hadn't eaten in centuries.

"This... what is all this?!" Vionna asked, her eyes widening in astonishment.

"This is a typical breakfast of our Federation," Kikuchi-sensei replied, inviting Vionna to sit.

With a slight hesitation, Vionna tried a spoonful of rice and fish. Her eyes immediately widened. The savory, fresh, and warm flavors blended on her tongue. This... this was a miracle of taste! She truly savored every bite, experiencing a deliciousness she had never encountered before, momentarily forgetting all the chaos that had befallen her. She finished her meal quickly, then reached for a cup of warm tea, feeling its warmth spread through her throat.

Just as she took a sip of her tea, the table she was eating at violently shook, as if an earthquake had struck. The cup in her hand trembled, and a heavy rumble, like the roar of a giant metal beast, echoed from outside. Vionna gasped, immediately jumping up and looking out the window.

There, on a vast field outside the building, she saw an enormous, strange object, with caterpillar tracks like a colossal snake, and a long cannon barrel, moving slowly while emitting a powerful vibration that made the ground tremble. Vionna's mouth hung open. It was a sight she had never witnessed in her life, not even in her wildest dreams.

"Th-that... what is that?!" Vionna pointed, her voice choked between paralyzing fear and overwhelming awe.

Kikuchi-sensei smiled, enjoying Vionna's astonished expression. "Princess Vionna, that is the power that Commander Amano has built," she said with a proud tone, like a teacher showcasing their student's masterpiece.

Vionna and Sarah were then taken to a military training facility on the outskirts of the city. Their eyes widened in utter disbelief, as if their minds had just been blown apart. There, they saw Leopard 2A7 tanks moving agilely across the training grounds, their armor reflecting the sunlight like the shields of gods. Then, a deafening sound filled the sky as an F-18 Jet Fighter passed overhead at incredible speed, leaving a sonic boom that made their eardrums ring.

However, what surprised Vionna and Sarah even more was a massive thud that suddenly shook the ground beneath their feet. Not just a vibration, this time a deafening explosion sound made them jump in surprise, almost falling over. Moments later, the loud and sporadic sound of automatic rifle fire filled the air, followed by the roar of Apache and Viper helicopters hovering in the air, firing training rockets and light artillery shells at distant targets with lethal precision.

The destructive power displayed before them was truly unimaginable. This was a force that could flatten mountains, dry up oceans!

"This... what is all of this?!" Vionna whispered, her voice choked. Her brain struggled to process all this visual and auditory information. She had never seen military technology like this, let alone imagined it.

"That's the Leopard 2A7 main battle tank, the F-18 jet fighter dropping training bombs," Kikuchi-sensei calmly explained, enjoying the awe-struck expressions on their faces. "And what you hear is the sound of our troops' training fire, as well as our Apache and Viper attack helicopters. All of this is designed for the defense and enforcement of our Federation's sovereignty."

Then, another equally surprising sight greeted them. Many troops of all races—humans, elves, beastkin—lined up neatly, holding their modern weapons, heading to the combat training area. There were no divisions, no hierarchy based on race. All worked together in perfect unity, moving like a single organism.

Seeing all of it—military technology far beyond their era, a society truly free of racism, and the immense power that had just saved her—a cold realization pierced Princess Vionna's heart. She turned to Sarah, her eyes reflecting a profound mixture of shock, awe, and deep fear.

"We must tell my father," Vionna said, her voice filled with newfound conviction, almost like a revelation. "It seems the Empire has chosen the wrong opponent. Other nations might need hundreds of years to breach a royal wall, but Lord Amano's nation? Perhaps only a single day."

While Princess Vionna began to grasp the extraordinary power of the New Gelmist Federation, in the grand throne room of the Felda Kingdom, King Felda was furious. Since Vionna was sent on her diplomatic mission to the New Gelmist Federation, there had been no news of her whatsoever. Day after day passed without a report, without a message from his daughter, whom he had dispatched to that once-impoverished territory. To King Felda, this was an unforgivable scandal, an insult that burned his pride. His own daughter, his sole heir, whom he had personally sent, had simply vanished there!

"How can Princess Vionna be unheard of for days?!" roared King Felda before his advisors, his fist pounding on the armrest of his throne until the glittering jewels on it trembled. His face was beet red, veins throbbing on his temples, consumed by rage and profoundly wounded pride. "This is an abduction! They have kidnapped and held the Princess of the Felda Kingdom hostage! They are humiliating us! This cannot be forgiven!"

In his blind fury, King Felda assumed that this newly emerged New Gelmist Federation had taken his daughter hostage as a form of provocation or political leverage. Without further investigation, without sending envoys to find out, he issued an order. His eyes gleamed dangerously. He demanded full loyalty from his vassal states and allies. "I command! Gulmist Kingdom, send your entire army to the New Gelmist Federation! Destroy them! I want every inch of that land scorched and their ashes to serve as a lesson to anyone who dares challenge the Felda Kingdom, let alone hold my royal blood hostage! Immediately!"

The order was swiftly broadcast throughout the Felda Kingdom and its subordinate nations, like a wildfire spreading through dry grass. In the New Gelmist Federation, this information quickly reached Touya's ears. As Minister of Trade, his network with merchants and caravans was extensive, making him a vital source of intelligence. A merchant caravan that had just arrived from the Felda border, their faces pale and terrified, brought the news. Touya, with quick efficiency, verified the reports from several different sources, and all of them matched.

With his heart pounding like a war drum and gasping for breath, Touya immediately went to Lord Amano in his office.

"Lord Amano!" Touya exclaimed, barely holding onto his composure, his voice hoarse with anxiety. "We have a huge problem! Information from various trade routes confirms... the Felda Kingdom and Gulmist have declared war on us! They are sending Gulmist's entire army to attack the Federation! They're coming!"

Vionna, who happened to be discussing with Kikuchi-sensei not far away, heard the conversation clearly. Her body froze. Her face instantly turned ghost-white at the mention of her father's name and the word 'war,' then transformed into an expression of deep annoyance and anger, mixed with despair. She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, trembling violently.

"Father... how can Father be so foolish?!" Vionna whispered, her voice filled with piercing disappointment, almost like a wail. "Making such a hasty decision without understanding the situation... Father will regret it! He doesn't know what kind of monster he just awakened!"

Vionna felt a terrible, ominous premonition. She knew her father had made a fatal mistake that would not only bring disaster to his own kingdom but might also change the balance of power across the entire continent forever. The storm was already upon them.