Reincarnated with the Country System

A message came to them when Kain and his team were ready to go to Dungeon's 5th floor.

[Continuation: "Standby Orders"]

The dust hadn't even settled when the order came.

A short burst transmission, tight-band encrypted, cutting through the aftermath like a blade.

> PRIORITY ALERT – Command Directive

ALL UNITS HOLD POSITION. STANDBY FOR NEW ORDERS.

AUTHORIZATION: HIGH COMMAND / BLACK LEVEL OVERRIDE.

Kain stiffened as the neural feed hammered the message straight into his HUD.

He ground his teeth.

"Fucking hell," he muttered under his breath.

They were ready to move. Ready to press. The momentum was theirs. Strike while the dungeon was wounded. Secure the fifth floor.

Instead—

Standby.

A death sentence if they sat too long.

But orders were orders.

No one argued. No one questioned. Not out loud, anyway.

Because that's what soldiers did.

You fought.

You won.

You waited.

And if Command told you to sit your ass down in the middle of hell?

You sat.

Kain exhaled slow, steady, letting the rage settle into something cold and sharp.

"All squads, maintain full alert. Re-arm. Re-seal defenses. No one relaxes until I say otherwise," he barked over the comms.

A chorus of clicks and acknowledgements.

The waiting had begun.

.....

The grand doors of the emperor's study swung shut behind Alberto with a resonant thud.

At the center of the room stood Elizabeth.

"Your Majesty," she said, her voice brisk but respectful. "How did the negotiations proceed?"

Alberto shrugged off his coat, handing it to a waiting attendant. He moved toward the heavy oak desk that dominated the room, motioning for Elizabeth to sit.

"The negotiations went as well as could be expected," he said, easing into his chair. "Ancient holy empire delegation were stubborn, but not unreasonable. I agreed to their request to enter the Dungeon near Oma under strict conditions."

Elizabeth frowned, folding her hands neatly on her lap. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but... is that wise? Allowing foreign forces to operate so close to our lands?"

Alberto tapped his fingers against the desk, his expression unreadable.

"In these circumstances, it is the best choice," he said. "The situation underground is deteriorating rapidly. We need them to act as a shield — and perhaps, as a sword we can direct. For now, maintain the state of emergency across the empire. Readiness levels are to remain at maximum."

Elizabeth nodded crisply. "Understood. As for other matters — there has been new unrest. Reports indicate that the rebellions in Latvia are escalating. Skirmishes have broken out across several districts. We believe Eric may be involved."

Alberto leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"No," he said." I don't think so. Someone else could be behind this. Because Eric knows our capabilities very well. He wouldn't dare to do something like this."

Elizabeth hesitated, then continued, "Our intelligence division recently captured several foreign operatives — spies from the Indiana Empire, operating within our occupied territories."

Alberto's gaze sharpened. "The Indiana Empire... So that's where the rot is coming from."

"It appears so," Elizabeth confirmed. "We suspect they're supplying arms and inciting unrest among the Latvians."

Alberto steepled his fingers, thinking.

"And what do you believe their motive is, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's answer was calm, but firm. "Territory, resources — and perhaps revenge for our previous victories. The Indiana Empire cannot challenge us openly. So they seek to weaken us from within."

A faint smile touched Alberto's lips — cold, humorless.

"Predictable," he muttered. "They won't succeed."

He rose from his chair, pacing slowly across the study, the weight of command heavy on his shoulders.

"Order our navy to intensify sea patrols immediately," he said. "The Aurelia Republic has agreed to share intelligence on smuggling operations. I want every illegal supply route shut down, every black-market shipment intercepted. No exceptions."

"Consider it done," Elizabeth said.

She hesitated again, then added, "Your Majesty, the rebels have grown bolder. They recently ambushed a convoy and seized two trucks full of Guardsmen weaponry."

Alberto's eyes darkened.

"Two trucks," he repeated. "That's no minor theft."

"No, Your Majesty," Elizabeth said. "We recommend deploying army units to assist the Guardsmen."

But Alberto shook his head firmly.

"No," he said. "We cannot afford to weaken our defenses now. With the Holy Empire moving into Oma, and the Dungeon's corruption spreading, the real threat lies elsewhere."

He turned, facing her fully.

"Let the Guardsmen handle the rebellion. It will temper them. Test their leadership, their discipline. We have officers embedded with them — they'll provide guidance where necessary. If we commit our primary forces now, we leave ourselves exposed when a greater threat could emerge at any moment."

Elizabeth's mouth tightened in concern, but she bowed her head respectfully.

"As you command."

Alberto moved back behind his desk, placing both hands flat upon its polished surface.

"Make no mistake, Elizabeth — the situation is dire. The Dungeon is not merely a lair of monsters. It is a wound between worlds. If it is not closed, we will face something far worse than petty rebellions."

He lowered his voice, the words almost a growl.

"And if we fall while chasing ghosts in our colonies, the entire empire will burn."

Elizabeth looked at him.

"I will see it done, Your Majesty," she said quietly.

.......

The Celestial Galleons cut through the clouds.

They were very surprised to see the huge skyscrapers of the Bernard Empire cities as they had never seen such huge buildings before.

The sheer scale of it made even the most hardened warriors of the Holy Empire stiffen.

"By the gods..." muttered one of the paladins, gripping the railing.

Raihan did not speak. He simply observed.

The fleet slowed as they neared the Dungeon's perimeter. Below, The Bernard Empire forces had built a temporary base next to the Dungeon.

The ships stopped after approaching the Dungeon.

Raihan turned to face his warriors.

They stood in formation.

Raihan's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Warriors of the Holy Empire!"

Every head snapped toward him.

"We stand at the edge of a world not our own." His gaze swept over them, unyielding.

"We have fought demons in the dark. We have held the line against the tide of the damned. We have bled in places where light itself fears to tread." His hand tightened on his sword. "And now, we step onto foreign soil—not as conquerors, but as guardians."

"They do not understand what lies beneath that Dungeon. They do not fear it as they should." His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "But we do."

He stepped forward, his cloak billowing behind him.

"We go into that darkness not for glory, not for conquest—but because if we do not, the world will burn. And when the fire comes, it will not care whose kingdom it consumes first."

Silence.

Then, Raihan raised his fist.

"For the Holy Empire!"

A thunderous roar answered him.