January 31, 2021/4018, Fourth Era.

  Empire of Papaldia, Harachirst Base.

  In the pale morning sunlight, Harachirst Base came to life with the thunderous roar of Su-34 engines preparing for takeoff. Technicians hurriedly inspected each aircraft, while the commanding officers meticulously reviewed the attack plans. Following directives from the command center, the Su-34 squadron was tasked with the critical mission of neutralizing Papaldia's naval power—a significant step towards establishing control over the strategically vital maritime region.

  The conflict with Papaldia was not merely a straightforward military victory; it represented Russia's ambition to solidify its economic and political influence in this new world. The potential for development in this land remained an enigma, yet the trade routes, natural resources, and strategic location rendered it an irresistible target.

  Nevertheless, challenges loomed large. Knowledge about this world was still limited, with most intelligence focused on only a few specific areas. In this context, controlling Papaldia was viewed as the first step for Russia to ensure national security and build a robust position, paving the way for a long-term recovery from the recent upheaval.

  Despite the awareness of numerous other nations out there, with no guarantees of their friendliness—even Mu, which had signed a long-term trade treaty—there was no assurance that they would remain amicable. Thus, the strategy to dominate the civilized Zone 3 was a considerable gamble, as the actions of Russia could not be overlooked by those in Zone 1. Therefore, Moscow had to find a legitimate way to conclude this war, necessitating the unveiling of all truths regarding Papaldia.

  ...

  Mrolo Naval Port.

  It was yet another beautiful day, but the atmosphere at the naval port was far from pleasant—rumors of the army's swift failures on the Western front had left the naval commanders here extremely dissatisfied with the sluggish response from higher-ups, who had yet to deploy any forces despite the considerable time that had passed.

  Vice Admiral Jazoc stood on the shore, watching the disheartened crews idly fishing, seemingly at a loss for what to do—this sight pierced his heart with a pang of despair.

  "What are we supposed to do now?" Jazoc lamented. "Morale is plummeting, and we are powerless to change anything."

  Admiral Hurchu, standing beside him, shared a similar sentiment. He believed that this sluggishness was a direct consequence of the royal family's control over a vast territory without implementing significant administrative reforms, which had made its cumbersome nature painfully evident in a high-intensity conflict with a nation deemed barbaric by the crown.

  While he could not fathom what those in power were thinking, it was clear that there was a lack of the necessary flexibility at this critical juncture. Hurchu calmly addressed Jazoc:

  "There is nothing we can do. Right now, we need to find a way to boost the spirits of our sailors."

  "Where on earth did these Russians come from?!"

  Jazoc clenched his fists, feeling utterly powerless. Hurchu, however, remained composed as he gazed out at the port, where hundreds of Papaldian wooden ships lay anchored, each a testament to the empire's pride, bearing the scars of numerous naval battles. Yet, this was because they were the strongest in Zone 3, while other regions would face tremendous difficulties.

  He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tilted his face towards the clear blue sky, ignoring the sounds around him. Jazoc, on the other hand, could only suppress his frustration within, feeling utterly helpless.

  ...

  In the clear blue sky, the Su-34s sliced through the air, swiftly approaching the naval port. Each aircraft descended and entered the airspace of the city. The absence of any defensive measures here puzzled the Russian pilots, but they remained undeterred and continued their mission.

  The RBK-500 bombs were quickly prepared for release—upon reaching the appropriate altitude, they deployed, scattering smaller bombs across the area.

  Hurchu opened his eyes as soon as he heard the sound of slicing wind and spotted the Russian fighters, but he could not identify them, as they resembled Mu's aircraft yet bore a distinctly strange shape. Before he could react, a series of explosions erupted around him. The screams of soldiers echoed everywhere, and death came swiftly.

  Both Jazoc and Hurchu found themselves caught in the onslaught—both severely injured, blood streaming from Hurchu's forehead and other wounds, but that was of little consequence. What had just transpired was what truly demanded his attention.

  The Su-34s had launched a ferocious attack on this location, causing extensive damage. Many ships were destroyed, and unfortunate buildings near the area were heavily damaged by the RBK-500s, with hardly any Papaldian soldiers able to escape death; those who survived were desperately trying to flee the area in sheer terror.

  Hurchu struggled to his feet despite the excruciating pain, supporting Jazoc, who was still dazed. The two staggered to help each other up, taking in the horrific scene that had just unfolded. The naval port had been devastated in an instant, leaving them powerless to salvage anything.

  The purpose of the aircraft gliding overhead became clear. From this close position, he could discern its shape—not that of Mu—its form resembling a winged arrow. With such power, the fact that only a few had arrived here filled him with dread, for if they had come in greater numbers, the target would not be limited to just this naval port.

  And indeed, that was the reality...

  Hnuko Port, Stabus Port, Moria Port—all had been bombarded by Russia in a relentless assault. Nothing could impede this onslaught. The patrol squadrons scrambled to intercept the fighters, but none met with success; no one knew what was happening. The aircraft flew overhead, leaving destruction in their wake.

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  And now, the crucial target in the effort to conclude this war—the capital of the Papaldian Empire—Estaurant. However, this location required a different approach to demonstrate military might.

  A Tu-95MS, accompanied by three Su-35s, flew directly towards the capital. The distance to the capital was now only 300 kilometers. The first wave of the attack was about to commence.

  Four Kh-101 missiles were launched, heading straight for the capital.

  ...

  In the skies above the imperial capital, hundreds of patrol aircraft soared with the utmost grandeur and focus—ensuring that anyone below could clearly witness the might of Papaldia, from ordinary citizens to foreign nationals, and even figures from other civilized regions.

  At a building near the palace—specifically, the Mu Embassy—Ambassador Muran was present with his family. At that moment, he was gazing out the window, contemplating the war while observing the patrol aircraft intensifying their activities.

  His handsome face, framed by golden hair, was buried in documents about Russia. Although labeled as documents, the information contained was scant, as Russia's level of secrecy far exceeded their intelligence capabilities. Any spies from Mu attempting to infiltrate Russia had vanished without a trace. While Russia remained silent and refrained from making any comments, its actions were decisive.

  Only a few initial images hinted at Russia's strength—primarily showcasing its formidable production capabilities. Large-scale factories equipped with entirely unfamiliar yet astonishingly effective machinery represented a remarkable leap forward.

  But now, war had begun. Papaldia was deploying its full might, with millions of soldiers gathered right here, yet there was little activity indicating the next steps for the Papaldian military.

  "Russia still holds many mysteries," Muran mused. "Even Milisial has ventured into Russia. So, it seems that future events concerning Russia are something everyone can anticipate, right?"

  He pondered this, setting aside the Russian documents to focus on a significantly thicker dossier—this one classified information about the Vanguard Republic. This nation had emerged in the Northeast of Mu, and their first encounter had occurred just last month. They had established contact with Russia earlier and had signed trade agreements.

  The capabilities of Vanguard were far superior to those of Mu, from military strength to economic power. What Vanguard demonstrated to Mu indicated that they could surpass even Mu—posing a threat to their superpower status in the region. Fortunately, Vanguard pursued a policy of peace and friendly cooperation.

  Russia, however, was far more complex. Although it had taken actions suggesting it was a friendly nation, it was not entirely so, as Russia had declared war when Papaldia attacked a CSTO member led by Russia—triggering Article 4—Collective Security Protection. Yet, according to Muran, this was merely a scheme by Russia to gain legitimacy to engage in war without facing domestic opposition.

  "What a cunning fox," he frowned. "I wonder what superior weapons this nation possesses."

  While Muran was momentarily distracted from the outside, the missiles were rapidly approaching the capital. They sliced through the air, creating a distinctive sound that could be heard by anyone nearby. The patrol aircraft flying offshore, far from the coast, were observing their surroundings.

  One of them, named Ojia, was diligently carrying out his patrol mission, carefully scanning the area. He spotted several bright dots on the horizon; the object was getting closer, accompanied by a sound that anyone could hear.

  He communicated within the manacom: "Unusual object detected, heighten alertness."

  As soon as he finished speaking, four objects flew past with a fierce rush of air, nearly causing Ojia to lose control of his aircraft; but that was not all—the terrifying sound emitted by those objects severely injured his ears.

  While he was still struggling to regain his balance, his vision revealed that something else was unfolding. Yet another object was approaching, but it was entirely different; it bore a strange shape, and from it, golden beams of light shot out, annihilating each patrol aircraft. As a result, he desperately attempted to maneuver his aircraft away to save his life, but it was utterly futile; he was killed by those objects before he could do anything else.

  Back in the capital of Estaurant, the citizens near the main naval port were bustling with activity. Among them was a conversation between two female demi-humans, one a cat and the other a fox—they were locals, so their conversation around the Papaldian soldiers felt entirely natural.

  "Oh my, are you really that lucky?" the cat girl exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.

  "Indeed, my husband bought me this exquisite creature," the fox girl proudly lifted her luxurious bag. "It comes from a renowned brand in Mu; it's not easy to acquire one."

  "How enviable."

  "You know, moving to the capital was the best decision I've ever made."

  "Living here is a true symbol of prosperity; just look at these magnificent ships." The cat girl pointed towards the grand vessels of Papaldia, which included both merchant and warships, all majestic in their presence.

  The other girl nodded in agreement. However, while the two were still chatting, patrol aircraft flew overhead—heading out to sea, startling the two. Although they did not understand what was happening, recent events had made them somewhat accustomed to such occurrences, and they both decided to leave.

  In the sky, the patrol aircraft were flying out to enhance reconnaissance. Yet, they remained unaware of the unfolding events. Suddenly, four Kh-101 missiles soared past that group of patrol aircraft, heading straight for the port. The four missiles struck the main port and the warehouse area.

  A colossal fireball erupted, quickly replaced by a towering column of smoke. It rapidly engulfed the port, visible to anyone who could see it, instilling fear. Meanwhile, the group that had just ventured offshore quickly realized something was approaching them—it was the Tu-95MS.

  "Unidentified flying object detected—it's the enemy!" a dragon knight shouted in the manacom. The other patrol aircraft swiftly responded to the alert and rushed out to intercept the enemy.

  Faced with the enemy's detection, the Russian pilots remained calm and continued their flight path. The Su-35s locked onto their targets—launching R-77-1 missiles at the patrol aircraft and quickly achieving the desired results. The wreckage of the patrol aircraft plummeted into the water, prompting many others to heighten their vigilance.

  As the enemy closed in, the GSh-30-1 was activated. Powerful bursts of fire continuously eliminated the foes in front of them. The patrol aircraft were shredded by the cannon fire at high speed. The preemptive strike proved effective, rendering the patrol aircraft unable to utilize their capabilities.

  Three Su-35s swiftly engaged in close combat with the patrol aircraft. Meanwhile, in the distance, the Tu-95MS launched two Kh-32 missiles, which sped towards their target at Mach 4, easily finding their mark and exploding, obliterating the area—completely destroying the port.

  On the ramparts, anti-aircraft cannons were brought out to shoot down the enemy—specifically, the Su-35s. Mages also took their positions, ready to attack. Upon witnessing many patrol aircraft being shot down, the commanders below lost their composure and ordered a full-scale assault immediately.

  Colorful magical projectiles were launched by the mages, while the cannons were loaded with magical ammunition and fired into the sky, resulting in explosions. However, as they fired, the Tu-95MS flew over the capital. Its massive size overwhelmed every creature that could see it.

  The Tu-95MS quickly ascended alongside the Su-35s and immediately departed under a heavy barrage of fire without sustaining any damage.

  After the spectacle subsided, the citizens throughout the capital fell into a state of panic. At the embassy, Muran was equally astonished as he beheld the size of the aircraft. He leaped from his chair and rushed to the desk phone to contact the motherland.

  Meanwhile, in the center, the Spetsnaz group watched the scene unfold, laughing joyfully. Everyone understood what this meant—destruction. Now, things were about to get even more interesting.