Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1408 A way to have the best of both worlds?

The crackling sound of burning firewood was particularly clear at this moment, reflecting the changing expressions on everyone's faces. Upon hearing the news of the war, Alice subconsciously looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment. Ovira's fingers, gripping the quill, turned slightly white. Medien and Leticia exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion and hesitation in each other's eyes. Even the usually composed Hino frowned slightly, surprised by the news.

However, the Yanor team reacted even more strongly than they did.

"How could it have happened so quickly?" Kalia exclaimed urgently, completely losing her usual maturity and composure. "In just a few days, the Allied forces' defenses in the Mikkelsen Corridor have been completely breached? Moreover, even if the Mikkelsen Corridor has been breached, what about the Imperial Army's defenses along the border of Atoliga Province? Are they just going to stand by and watch the enemy break through?"

"The Imperial Army did indeed fight several battles with the Axis forces, but gained little advantage. Ultimately, it seems they voluntarily relinquished part of their defensive lines and retreated to Rock Keep and High Rock City to regroup. As for the fall of the Mikkelsen Corridor, it was truly unexpected. It is said that the Axis forces destroyed the Allied defenses in just one and a half days, and the intensity and organization of their attack made one highly suspicious of whether it was premeditated. In addition, there are rumors that the Axis forces also deployed a construct mech for this battle..."

As Yanor was speaking, Ling couldn't help but interrupt him: "Wait, you mentioned a construct mech, could it be the turbine mothership Nidhogg? But I heard that it's a giant sea vessel and has no ground combat capability."

The only mechs deployed by the Axis powers on the Eastern Continent were the turbine-carrier Nidhogg, which, with its unparalleled destructive power and suppressive force, almost completely dominated the entire ocean. Not only were the Allied fleets forced to remain in coastal areas, hesitant to make any rash moves, but even some alien races living in the ocean, fearing the power of the Nidhogg, reluctantly abandoned their original territories, retreating further and further, some even retreating to the chaotic waters. The only group that directly challenged the Nidhogg and managed to escape unscathed was the Solomon's Hounds, a pirate crew that roamed the five seas and four oceans. However, according to a certain unnamed great pirate, Gloria, they seemed to have only managed a hasty retreat under the pressure of the Nidhogg.

Based on past war records, the turbine-powered mothership Nidhogg's impact on land warfare lies primarily in its deterrent rather than destructive power. It occasionally anchors in coastal areas, threatening coastal cities with its extensive artillery system. For example, it once lingered for an extended period in the Silent Bay and Broken Seas, effectively blockading the Noah Kingdom's navy within its own ports, forcing them to watch helplessly as the Axis navy's support fleet entered the Ansers River through the estuary to support the Seventeenth Legion's battle—an event that occurred on another timeline, where Shinno single-handedly intercepted and destroyed that fleet.

But the Mikkelsen Corridor is far inland. Logically speaking, the Nidhogg's artillery system shouldn't be able to cover such a large area, right? If it had that capability, it should have directly bombarded the Liberator League's positions back then. The 17th Army wouldn't have needed to lift a finger; it could have wiped out this resistance force on its own.

“That’s what I thought at first too.” Arnor said with a wry smile, “Reliable sources say that the Nidhogg is currently lingering in the Storm Sea and Chaotic Sea area in order to open up a new route. According to intelligence, what appeared in the Mikkelsen Corridor was another unknown construct mech, but there is very little information about it. We don’t even know its code name, model, or pilot, let alone its specific parameters.”

Another armored mech?
Ling couldn't help but suspect that the Axis powers—or rather, the Witch Society—were targeting their group, while the Imperial Army and even the Holy War Army were merely innocent victims. He exchanged glances with his companions, seeing the same suspicion in their eyes. If the witch herself had intervened, coupled with the power of the construct mechs, the fall of the Mikkelsen Corridor would have been understandable. The only question was, which witch had come this time?
"And then, the Empire joined forces with the Axis powers?" Kalia frowned. "If the two sides were still hostile, perhaps we would still have a chance to survive, but how did they reach an agreement..."

"It might not have been an agreement; it's more like a tacit understanding," Arnor said gravely. "The Empire has long seen the Holy War Army as a thorn in their side. Given the chance, they'll naturally take advantage of their misfortune. Besides, placing the battlefield in Atorica means they won't lose anything regardless of victory or defeat. As for the Axis powers' intentions, I'm not so sure. Perhaps they're eyeing the resources of the Feather Mine? Mithril, adamantite, and Orichalcos are all rare minerals that can be used to manufacture magical weapons. For the Axis powers, isolated overseas and relying heavily on ocean shipping for supplies, capturing the Feather Mine would be equivalent to having a stable production base..."

Both sides get what they want, and driven by self-interest, they'll unite without any agreement. Of course, such a union is extremely fragile and could crumble at any moment, but only if the jihadist army is destroyed. Until then, it's best not to have too much hope.

Linge thought things through more deeply than Bianor. The Axis powers certainly needed the resources of the Feser Mine, but the Witch Society might not; such a small amount of profit wouldn't be enough to motivate them to deploy their construct mechs. Therefore, they must have come for their group; there was also a very small possibility that they were after the Goddess's faith. The Holy War Army itself was insignificant, but because they had connections with the Cult of the Goddess of Creation and even the Paradise Country Assyria, the Witch Society had probably already included them on their list of targets to be eliminated.

"The Feather Mine is our Holy War Army's last base and the Atorica's last hope; it cannot be lost. Lady Cheryl's intention is that, by any means necessary, we must repel the invading enemy and defend our homeland." Arnor's gaze swept over the preoccupied Kalia, the grave Edwin, the panicked Selena, and the battle-ready Gordan. This was clearly addressed to his own people, for only they could understand the weight of emotion behind this order. Then, the man shifted his gaze to the young man, his tone becoming even more solemn: "Mr. Ringer, and everyone else… Lady Cheryl knows this request is presumptuous, even unreasonable. But the war is urgent, and the Holy War Army lacks anti-air capabilities. Facing the air units of the Empire and the Axis powers, we will be extremely passive. Therefore… she implores you all to lend us the Cloud Whale Sky Island. This will strengthen the air defenses of the Feather Mine and give us a glimmer of hope."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, before continuing, "In return... after defeating the enemy, Lady Cheryl is willing to bestow upon you the fairy sword Sidras."

“Hydras?!” Ovira exclaimed, turning to Linger with shock in her eyes. She knew all too well what that sword meant to Cheryl and the Atorica; it was practically a gamble with their faith and heritage. Didn't you see how panicked Arnor's companions were? Their reactions were even more intense than when they heard about the Axis invasion of Atorica, only he had suppressed them.

Others have wondered why it had to be the fairy sword Hydras. Was it because the Holy War Army only had this one treasure worth repaying? Or was it because of... Ietta?

Cheryl's request was to borrow the Cloud Whale Sky Island, and in return, she offered the fairy sword Hydras, which almost made her intentions clear. On one hand, she wanted to show her sincerity and win over the Sky Island's owner, who was also the last descendant of the Feathered Elves and had a close relationship with the dragon-slaying hero Italos. On the other hand, it was probably also for psychological comfort. If she had to exchange the fairy sword for help, then no one else's possession of the sword would be more gratifying than if it fell into Italos's hands.

At least the latter can comfort themselves by thinking that this is also a kind of inheritance, or rather... returning something to its rightful owner?
Having figured this out, Arnor and his companions were no longer resistant, though still somewhat helpless. As for Ovira and the others, they couldn't offer any comment; after all, the key figure was Ietta, and they had no right to make decisions for the girl. Meanwhile, Ietta was piloting the Cloud Whale Sky Island, drifting two thousand meters in the sky, unaware of what was happening there.

"Wouldn't it be better to ask for her opinion first?" Ovira whispered.

Everyone agreed, but in the flickering firelight and swaying shadows, the young man's eyes were unfathomable. He suddenly spoke, his voice clear and steady: "No need."

All eyes immediately turned to him. “We are willing to help the Holy War Army resist the enemy, but we do not need any reward; we are merely fulfilling our obligations as allies.”

The young man spoke each word carefully, as if every word had been meticulously considered, and his earnestness was palpable as he spoke.

Arnor was stunned. This outcome was undoubtedly the best possible result for him and for the Jihad Army, almost unbelievably so. But why? Why would Mr. Linger give such a generous reply? Why were they willing to extend a helping hand to the Jihad Army without expecting anything in return? Even if it was out of obligation as allies, it seemed unnecessary to go to such lengths. After all, before this, the relationship between the Jihad Army and them was nothing more than a transaction.

He asked incredulously, "Are you... sure, Mr. Ringer? Why not ask Miss Ietta's opinion again? What if she has a different opinion..."

Logically and emotionally, Ietta is the one most qualified to make the decision.

however.

“What opinion could Ieta possibly have?” Alice suddenly curled her lip, speaking very bluntly of her friend and partner: “Even if you asked her, she would just shrink into her wings and frantically ask everyone what to do.”

“That’s right!” Ovira understood Ling’s thoughts and nodded approvingly. “She’s always been like this, needing others to make decisions for her. I think Ling is very qualified, after all, he’s the person Ietta trusts the most.”

"On the contrary," Hino chuckled, picking up the thread, "if Ieta knew that Ling had made this decision for her, she would surely be very happy, wouldn't she?"

Arnor was bewildered by this explanation, but seeing that Alice and the others' expressions didn't seem like they were joking, he somewhat accepted their explanation. He was also impressed by Miss Ietta's trust in Mr. Linger, as well as Mr. Linger's enthusiasm and sense of justice. Indeed, in his view, why would someone offer such a completely unhelpful suggestion if it weren't for a sense of justice? Therefore, he felt only gratitude.

Lin Ge naturally wouldn't reveal that the mysterious construct mech that breached the Mikkelsen Corridor and the witch piloting it were likely targeting his group. It wasn't that he wanted to gain gratitude from Arnor and the others, nor was he afraid of being reprimanded by them. The main reason was that there was no point in saying such things; it couldn't prove anything or change the status quo. It was better to accept reality and face it calmly.

"What a pity." Alice sighed deeply, as if remembering something, and said with regret, "In this way, the journey to search for the Nibelungen will be abandoned halfway, and we will not have the opportunity to explore underground."

She had been looking forward to it for a long time.

Alice wasn't the only one; Ovira, Leticia, and others also had similar expressions.

When it comes to adventure stories, the deep, dark underground world is indispensable. Its unique customs and traditions, the monsters and beasts lurking in the shadows, and the close encounters with underground civilizations are all things that fascinate people. However, Lin Ge and his companions, having come from the Western Continent and traveled half the world, have yet to witness the scenery of the underground world.

"It wouldn't be considered giving up halfway."

Arnor was naturally a little disappointed, but she still mustered her spirits and comforted everyone: "Lady Cheryl gave us the task of exploring the suspicious locations marked on the map. Strictly speaking, we have completed the task, but we just didn't do it perfectly. Please don't take it to heart."

Alice subtly pursed her lips. As a genius gamer, she had always been a perfectionist with her own pride. Even after gradually realizing, for various reasons, that this world wasn't a game but reality, this arrogant personality hadn't changed. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so dejected back then—if she hadn't had such high expectations of herself, how could she have fallen so hard later?
The devastation of the old world's Eden and the revelation of her true identity, the death of Themis in the heavens, the damage to the game console, the mutual destruction of the Dark Witch and Saint Charlotte...

Recalling his past experiences, Ling sighed inwardly, then became serious and said to everyone, "Actually, it's not that there isn't a way to have the best of both worlds."

Give me some cats