VOLUME TWO ( CHAPTER FOURTEEN )

Chapter Fourteen

The Great Hania Empire's military continued to evolve, engaging in mock warfare, war simulations, and strategic mind games to sharpen their skills and experiences. Veterans often ascended to the rank of general, while seasoned generals became grand marshals. This system of constant improvement and meritocracy was directly influenced by Nicholas Liao Cheng, the founding emperor and commander-in-chief of the empire's entire armed forces and intelligence agencies. His foresight and omniscience allowed him to keep his empire several steps ahead of any rival faction or unforeseen conflict.

Meanwhile, in Neues Reich, Adolf Hitler made a surprising decision by appointing Martin Bormann as his successor. This abrupt shift in leadership effectively ended the Second Holocaust, though instead of outright extermination, other races were forcibly exiled from the empire. Two days after this transition, Hitler and his family retired to their secluded mountain mansion, an unusual and unprecedented move for a man of his history and ambitions.

In the Greater Satam Empire, the demon king Yaon was overthrown and replaced by his older sister, Lilith—the eternal queen of the succubi race. Unlike her brother, Lilith wielded not just power but also seductive influence and a deep understanding of human nature. With Yaon's failed plans now discarded, she devised a new strategy, one that took an entirely different approach. Her primary target? Nicholas Liao Cheng himself. However, her motivations were not purely political or strategic; she had become something of a fangirl, infatuated with Nicholas's unparalleled strength and divine presence.

Elsewhere, in the Greater Pardevonese Empire, Emperor Pamordas XXVIII addressed his people, reinforcing a commitment to peace and stability within his country and across the world. Around the same time, Nicholas made a similar announcement within the Great Hania Empire. His words further strengthened the people's trust in him, solidifying his position as the supreme leader and protector of the empire. Additionally, Nicholas orchestrated a deceptive yet highly effective operation—his empire housed a secret yet completely loyal fake mafia organization. This faux criminal syndicate acted as a cover to infiltrate and manipulate the real underworld, allowing the empire to maintain an iron grip on all actual mafia organizations and prevent any clandestine threats from arising.

As the Great Hania Empire flourished, its space forces advanced at an astonishing pace. The empire successfully constructed moon bases on the dark side of their planet's moon, ensuring an optimal environment for scientific research and military operations. Meanwhile, on a habitable planet accompanied by a small moon identical in shape and size to Earth's moon, the first major space colony was established, quickly reaching a population of 50,000. Hundreds of space stations, advanced observatory rooms, military satellites, and complex networks of powerful satellites were launched into orbit, further securing the empire's technological dominance. Perhaps the most groundbreaking achievement was the successful creation of the first small starship, a milestone that followed a long series of rigorous tests and failed prototypes. In just 397 days—slightly over two months in their standard time—the Great Hania Empire's First Space Age seamlessly transitioned into the Second Space Age, ushering in a new era of interstellar exploration and expansion.

Back on the surface of Terria, tensions within The Great Desert Continent continued to simmer. Although the supercontinent was in a temporary state of peace, many factions harbored ambitions of unification—whether through diplomacy or military conquest. The Holy Sandrian Empire bore a deep-seated grudge against the Third Elysrian Empire due to its complex and troubled history. The Holy Sandrian Empire primarily prioritized technological advancements, whereas the Third Elysrian Empire maintained a firm focus on religious dominance. Rather than engaging in open warfare, these factions resorted to a silent yet aggressive battle of words, propaganda, and strategically orchestrated skirmishes.

Meanwhile, the Larcussa Empire launched a naval invasion against the small kingdoms of Ambolk, Emurial, Helbellan, and Andiano. Their aggression was further supported by the Khivu Free State, which allied with Larcussa and entered the conflict. This sparked a larger war, drawing in small yet powerful nations such as the Hwembodar Empire and the Arkgork Kingdom, both of which opposed Larcussa and Khivu. In the southeastern region of the supercontinent, two large islands found themselves embroiled in yet another war, escalating the region's instability. The Holy Graegradian Empire, a dominant theocratic force, declared war against the southern nations—including the Enmpo Kingdom, Pardent Kingdom, Holy Iktibasian Empire, Manibao Kingdom, and Bardak Kingdom. In response, the Tilipoli Empire and its vassals, the Khemad Kingdom and Habbam Kingdom, joined the conflict against the Holy Graegradian Empire. Interestingly, despite their spiritual and theological motivations, all warring factions fought with military technology reminiscent of the 1920s.

In the north, the Holy Polesian Empire harbored a longstanding resentment against the Second Taraian Empire, the Second Polumadian Empire, and the Scrimea Kingdom. Smaller kingdoms, including the Uzurii Kingdom, Lanbaria Kingdom, Lazdov Kingdom, Karadott Kingdom, Bardelem Kingdom, Noazen Kingdom, Whardor Kingdom, Halland Kingdom, Gontok Kingdom, and Zamton Kingdom, found themselves caught in a precarious situation. They received direct threats from both the Third Elysrian Empire and the Holy Polesian Empire, both of whom sought to expand their dominion over the fragmented northern territories.

Despite the chaotic nature of global affairs, none of these developments came as a surprise to Nicholas. His divine foresight allowed him to predict the past, present, and future, ensuring that he remained perpetually ahead of any impending threat or challenge.

At the same time, his personal life flourished in a manner only befitting of a god-emperor. His harem—if it could even be called that—consisted of millions of beautiful women, many of whom were powerful warriors, royalty, incredibly wealthy, or enigmatic femme fatales. While the sheer scale of his romantic entanglements seemed excessive, it was merely another manifestation of his boundless influence and divine presence.

Meanwhile, the expeditionary forces that had been sent to the mysterious Rift Gate finally returned. Their findings were nothing short of extraordinary. Among their discoveries were vast amounts of new resources and creatures that had seemingly been transported from the Ice Age and Jurassic Age. To make matters even more astounding, people from unknown worlds had arrived through the Rift Gate, seeking to explore Terria. The sight of Nicholas's empire and its technological wonders left them utterly awe-struck, their expectations shattered by the sheer magnificence of the Great Hania Empire.

Further diplomatic exchanges took place when ships from the Ragador Kingdom, Schink Kingdom, Second Taraian Empire, and the Empire of Kambazesia arrived at the empire's seas. Upon witnessing the Great Hania Empire's advancements, their dignitaries struggled to comprehend the full extent of what lay before them. Among the visitors were three princesses—from the Empire of Kambazesia, the Second Taraian Empire, and the Ragador Kingdom. The stories they had heard of Nicholas and his empire had not even begun to prepare them for the overwhelming reality they encountered.

Amidst these grand geopolitical and interstellar developments, Nicholas received an unexpected invitation from Lilith, the newly crowned queen of the succubi. Her message was as bold as it was suggestive—a sexualized declaration of welcome, an attempt to lure Nicholas into her domain. To her shock, Nicholas accepted without hesitation, teleporting to her castle alone. Though she had expected to be the one in control, she quickly found herself overcome with an unfamiliar sensation: fear. The moment Nicholas arrived, an aura of divine authority, something utterly beyond mortal or even demonic comprehension, engulfed the entire castle. Lilith, despite her confidence and power, felt an overwhelming sense of insignificance in his presence.

Unbeknownst to all, Michael, Nicholas's godlike advisor and eternal overseer, watched the interaction unfold from the shadows, unseen yet ever-vigilant.

(CHAPTER FOURTEEN END)