Chapter 173: | 173 | The First Summit
In the Assembly Hall of the United Navy's command center, the representative of the allied islands under the influence of the UN sat in unison within their respective seats. They awaited for the beginning of the conference, the commencing of the First Summit.
Fleet Admiral Abraham slowly walked forward into an elevated stand in the assembly with Lieutenant Colonel Laplace and Vice Admiral Charlotte following behind him. Their expressions calm, though expectant about what was about to unfold.
The representatives of the allied islands gazed at him with different expressions. Some with a tinge of admiration, most with deep respect. It didn't take a moment for the fleet admiral to sit comfortably to where he belongs, starting the first official conference.
Hermona stared at the fleet admiral, noticing the different attitudes between the easy-going she had recently met and the most respected figure of the United Navy before her. It made her want to know him more, especially ask him about why he created the naval organization.
But before that, the First Summit was about to begin. She needed to throw her entire attention to the conference as to not embarrassed the Liberation Front in front of the United Navy. She didn't want to appear like an idiot who wouldn't listen astutely.
Abraham observed the representatives of the allied islands within the United Navy's scope of influence. His interest unwavering while his mind introduced the information of each representatives once again.
First was the established beastfolk nation, State of Minos. It was led by the War Minister Escudo, the younger brother of Second Lieutenant Espada. The State of Minos had a population of Minokins and integrated beastfolks of 10,000. Their population was booming along with the economy.
The second was the recently liberated archipelago under the influence of the Liberation Front. Although a nation hasn't been established between the tribes of beastfolks, through the leadership of Hermona, the revolutionary leader. It shouldn't take for a country to emerge in the west.
Third and fourth weren't as interesting as the first two since he already had complete information over them. These last two were the Port of Dawn and Vulcan, the most important assets of the United Navy up to date.
The Port of Dawn had its population grow beyond the mark of 40,000. With it, economy was advancing as the circulation of money had begun to spiral upward. Such economic boost had gone even further with the official introduction of UN Dollars, the official currency of the United Navy.
Through the UN Dollars and its influence over the economy of the Port of Dawn as well as the State of Minos, the United Navy had a good grip of its financial system.
The introduction of Vulcan as part of the United Navy's assets had skyrocketed the worth of UN Dollars even further. Especially when gold itself was getting converted in banks, solidifying the foundation of the United Reserve.
At any rate, these members of the allied islands were of vast importance to the United Navy. They would further assist the naval organization in its growth as a hegemonic force in the Ferus sea. Or perhaps even going beyond it... The Seven Seas.
Though, for the economy to be even more well-accepted. Inter-island trade was needed. Goods have been transporting out of the Port of Dawn since the establishment of the State of Minos. Their economic relationship with one another was beyond satisfactory.
But it was time to go beyond. Perhaps contact other nations outside of the United Navy's influence. Maybe somewhere in the vast ocean, they might get a lucrative trade offer from a random rich country who could be interested in their products.
However, Abraham didn't plan in wasting his time about how the economy of the United Navy was growing. The reason for the conference was fairly simple. It was to discuss about their next plans regarding their current war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra.
He closed his eyelids and took a calm breath. Opening his eyes, a serious atmosphere immediately engulfed the Assembly Hall. It wasn't the moment for him to be easy-going. After all, they would be discussing the war.
"Let's begin the First Summit of the UN Assembly Hall, recorded in the United Year 01."
"Our topic in this conference will be primarily about the war against a difficult adversary far in the north. I'm talking about the Colonial Dominion of Terra. My commanding officers, strategists, and intelligence officers have eluded to me one single action."
"It was to end the war effort through victory. While peace makes us stronger over time, it also makes them better and a lot more difficult to defeat. If we take our time and pretend to be at peace, it wouldn't take long before they would put the battlefield in our home islands."
Abraham calmly expounded to the representatives of the allied islands, two of which, held their breaths upon hearing his words. But his following words brought one of them into clarity. "The conference is open for query."
When Escudo heard of it, he slowly stood up and met the gaze of the fleet admiral. Even though he was bigger than the middle-aged man, the War Minister felt an instinctual dread emanating from his heart. Regardless, however, he must speak as he desire.
"Apologies for the query, Fleet Admiral. But does this mean that the United Navy desires to enact a final confrontation against the Colonial Dominion of Terra?" It was an important question as it would probably take hold of the entire conference from then onwards.
Abraham looked at the Minokin, but then smiled. He soon responded at the War Minister with calm. "Correct, Minos Representative. The United Navy will be assuming a final operation of this war against the home island of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. Once they fall, the sea region would be free from their control."
"There... We will find peace in our seas."
"However, the reason for this conference is one simple fact. The United Navy cannot act on the operation alone, so we desire for some assistance from your islands. Any assistances will be appreciated." Abraham uttered the actual reason for the summit.
The logistics, manpower, and resources to operate an actual confrontation along with beach landing against a well-prepared and heavily fortified adversary was extremely large. If they weren't careful, it would also be brimming with casualties.
Naturally, the United Navy couldn't do this alone without the risk of having their entire military power compromised. So, they needed help from their allies to mitigate the risk. It would be problematic if other colonial dominions took the upper-hand from the weakened United Navy.
War Minister Escudo thought about the words of the fleet admiral and found nothing wrong about it. The United Navy has been assisting the Minokins since the beginning of their nation's establishment. Not only that, the peace of the State of Minos was heavily reliant on the UN.
It wouldn't do good if the United Navy becomes too affected by the confrontation against the final stand of the Colonial Dominion of Terra. It would compromised their peace, which immediately determined the decision of the War Minister.
"The State of Minos will be assisting the United Navy in their battle against the Colonial Dominion, Fleet Admiral. Our country will discuss the degree of our assistance privately." Escudo responded with great resolve, making Abraham nod in satisfaction. "Thank you, Minos Representative."
Afterward, his gaze was pointed at the remaining representative within the allied islands. Hermona looked at him, though hesitance was in her eyes. Although she was willing to fight against the Colonial Dominion of Terra, the tribes in the archipelago were in a state of recovery.
Fighting another battle might affect the archipelago too much in the long term. But it was also their duty as members of the Liberation Front to fight against the Colonial Dominion. Otherwise, history would see them as nothing more but advocates of a false name.
She glanced at her companions who gazed at their with expectant expressions. It was at this moment that she had realized she wasn't alone in her endeavors for Liberation. The members of the Liberation Front knew what they had signed up when they fought with against the colony of Eisenberg.
With this in mind, her heart burned with resolve. She became resolute as she had determined a decision within her mind. She looked at Abraham directly in the eyes, unafraid of his gaze. Her supple lips opened while the following words escaped her mouth.
"The Liberation Front will be fighting with the United Navy." It was a simple yet straightforward statement. It wasn't a politically diverted one, but a straight-up declaration. Leonidas and Tora grinned as they realized that they hadn't chosen the wrong leader.
Hearing her words, Abraham smirked as the human girl always surprised him. Even though she didn't have a great knack in politics, she had the best qualities of a leader. Her straightforward declaration of their assistance was something to be impressed about.
Laplace and Charlotte gazed at the human girl, the so-called revolutionary leader of the Liberation Front. They hadn't expected much from her, but after hearing her response. They had become intrigued with the supposed leader.
"Admirable words, Hermona of the Liberation Front. The United Navy appreciates your resolve in this battle for liberation." The words of the fleet admiral resonated throughout the Assembly Hall. The war against the Colonial Dominion of Terra wasn't simply for dominance in the sea region.
It was a statement to every colonial dominion in the Ferus Sea.
The United Navy fights for liberation.
It shall be, as always, be free,