In the Ruthenian Embassy in Tokyo, Rolan just received another transmission from the Command Ops about the commencement of Operation Damsel. He scurried towards the Grand Duchesses room where he found the three of them having a discussion with one another.

The two have already woken up from their stressed induced nap.

They all looked up to him the moment they heard him entering, Rolan bowed apologetically for interrupting their conversation but there is an urgent matter that requires him to inform the Grand Duchesses about the evacuation plan concocted by the High Command.

“Your Imperial Highnesses, we’ll be leaving in fifty minutes, please gather your important things. I’ll wait here outside.”

“What happened, Rolan?” Christina stepped forward as she raised a question.

“Apparently the Yamato Empire government is in a state of being uncooperative, the Ruthenia Empire Joint Chiefs of Staff is forced to make a decision of getting us all out here through force. The Britannians have been contacted by His Majesty Alexander, requesting aid in the form of vehicles to solve our transportation problem. They are now on their way here. His Majesty, Alexander, will be declaring war against the Yamato Empire once the extraction is complete.”

Their faces turned pale after hearing the heaviest of words of all mankind. Implying innocent lives are being taken away. Christina could feel the guilt in her heart. Imagine that she and her sister didn’t go to the Yamato Empire, would a state of war between Ruthenia and Yamato exist? It felt to them that they are at fault here. This makes her even sadder than before.

Now the lives that will be wasted on the battlefields will be in their hands and they won’t be able to get away from it.

“Is there nothing that we can do to stop the war, can I talk to my brother once more?”

Christina pleaded as the two duchesses nodded their heads in agreement.

Rolan shook his head somberly. “I’m sorry, Your Imperial Highness, His Majesty, Alexander, has already committed himself to the decision. I don’t think it will be reversible as I’ve heard that His Majesty has informed the Imperial Council of his resolution. Please get ready.”

ρꪖnᦔa (nꪫꪣ)ꫀ​ꪶ​ Upon saying that, Rolan retreated back and closed the door, waiting for them. Seeing them in their melancholic state somehow makes his heartache as he was not used to seeing their faces, which are oftentimes filled with vibrant energy and joy.

Outside the embassy, police were getting anxious about the movements happening inside it. Staffers burning documents and security guards aimed their bolt-action rifles at them in an antagonistic manner.As moments pass by, the tension between the two sides is getting heavier and thicker, causing a scene that makes everyone concerned for their safety. It was palpable and precarious that at any moment, one of them might accidentally pull the trigger of their weapons and all hell would break loose.

A word from the superiors told them that the deadline was extended by another hour. It Looks like the Ruthenia Empire has managed to negotiate with their government. It may be the case but the way things are happening inside is looking otherwise.

It felt to them that Ruthenia has no intention of complying with their demands of handing out the criminal Zero. The assassin that was sent by Ruthenia to kill one of the most influential people in Yamato, Shinzo Sakawa, later, drove like a madman trying to run over civilians before he took shelter in the Ruthenian Embassy. Like the evil cowards, the Ruthies is.

They couldn’t be angrier when they also received news that the security forces of the Grand Duchesses of Ruthenia Empire thrashed the gates of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, desecrating it.

While they were on their duty, they heard a faint rumble from the streets. This made their head turn and saw a line of vehicles coming from that direction.

The police who were stationed on the barricaded road moved forward and into the center, raising a hand, and signaling them to stop.

The lights coming out from the headlights are blinding, causing the policemen to squint a little. But as the vehicles got closer, he noticed a flag fluttering on the hood. A Britannian Empire flag.

What are they doing here? Was the first thought that came to the policemen’s mind. Nevertheless, he has to report this to his superior, who is the chief that they were with right now.

“Chief!” he shouted, hailing at the police chief who already noticed the presence of the convoy.

As he neared the barricade, he asked the policemen who stopped the convoy. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know, but the flags indicate that they are from the Britannia Empire.”

“Then what are you doing standing there? Go and ask them of their intentions.” The police chief replied harshly to him.

“Yes sir!” the policeman answered immediately, saluting at him as he ran towards the leading car as soon as the car had stopped.

Meanwhile, other officers watching the embassy were alerted as well and rushed toward the blockade.

The policemen flashed out a flashlight at the window, allowing him to see the driver who reflexively raised his hand to block the light from hurting his eyes.Based on their appearance alone, they are westerners.

“This street is off-limits at the moment. Please turn around and leave,” the policeman sternly said in the Yamato language. He knew they were not going to understand him, but the tone of his voice should be enough to imply that he was ordering them to leave.

The car was quiet for some time until the window rolled down and extended out a hand, holding what looked like an official paper.

Surprisingly, the man replied in Yamato language. Fluently with all the sounds done right. “We have received orders from London to deliver these vehicles to the Ruthenian Embassy. Clear the road and let us in.”

An official order from the capital of the Britannia Empire? This is above his pay grade, he motioned his chief with a wave of the hand.action

“What is it this time?” the chief asked.

“They say that they are from the Britannia Empire with an order to deliver these vehicles to the Ruthenian Embassy.”

“What?” The chief incredulously questioned. He glanced over to the rows of noisy vehicles waiting to pass through. There are four Leyland Model 1926 buses in total, enough to fit 100 people.

The chief immediately realized what was happening. Are the Britannians intending to help the staff of the Ruthenia Empire escapes? If that were the case, he can’t let that happen. He was under strict order from his superiors to not let a single soul pass through the barricade.

However, he still wanted to confirm it so he walked up to the driver’s side and snatched the paper with supposed authorization on it.

He pointed his flashlight to the letter and perused its content. It was signed by the ambassador of the Britannia Empire but there’s no signature from the Yamato sides, which means this document in his hand is invalid and has no real power.

“I’m sorry but we didn’t receive word from our superiors about this notice. So I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises.” The police chief returned the letter to the driver.

But the man didn’t falter and instead stepped out of his vehicle in an aggressive manner and walked up to the chief.

“I don’t think you understand, the Prime Minister of the Britannia Empire ordered our ambassador to deliver these vehicles to the Ruthenia Empire and it must get there no matter what.”

“I’m afraid you’re the one who doesn’t understand the situation. We have orders from our superiors to not let anyone in, even if they are from the Britannia Empire, Deutschland Empire, or the United States. You, westerners, think that you can just trample over us easily!” he snapped and shouted furiously.

“How dare you raise your voice at me you monkey!” The Britannian grabbed him by the collar and pulled out a Webley Revolver, sticking the muzzle under the chief’s chin.

This sudden act of aggression caused the other police to train their weapons on the Britannian officials.

They responded in kind, training their weapons on the police. It was a standoff but the police held the number advantage.

“What arrogant words you got there huh? May I remind you that you’re pointing your weapons at Britannian officials? If you fire at us, that would be a clear provocation of war. Can your puny island nation withstand the might of the Britannia Empire?”

The police chief didn’t respond and remained silent.

“Didn’t think so,” the Britannian lowered his revolver and spoke again. “Now, tell your men to stand down and clear the road for us to pass through. Otherwise, the Britannia Empire might not side with you in your upcoming war with the Ruthenians.”