VOLUME TWO ( CHAPTER EIGHTEEN )

Chapter Eighteen

Years have passed since the Great Hania Empire rose to power. It is now the 10th year of the Imperial Era (IE), marking over a decade since Nicholas Liao Cheng reshaped the world order. For nearly 7,770 days—spanning a little over three years—the Great Hania Empire has completed its total capitulation of the Western Coalition and the remaining sovereign nations of the Great Desert Continent. Several key factors contributed to this rapid and absolute conquest: The Western Coalition's crushing defeat in both the technological and trade wars against the Great Hania Empire, the internal chaos plaguing the Great Desert Continent due to civil wars, the repercussions of the Saderan Empire's defeat at the hands of the Hanians, and the ever-growing religious tensions among nations.

One by one, nearly thirty nations found themselves absorbed into the empire—some through military conquest, some by forced coercion with insurmountable evidence against them, and others willingly integrating, recognizing the benefits of Hanian rule. Nicholas himself, despite his absolute fame, countless medallions, and honorary titles, never flaunted his power. Instead, he stored thousands of unique, prestigious medals, awards, and gifts in his vaults, ensuring their preservation as historical artifacts rather than tools for self-aggrandizement.

At the Rift Gate, the cycle of exploration and return continued. The majority of the expeditionary forces had completed their shifts and were returning to their homeland via air and sea transport, following strict schedules and rotations. Meanwhile, new, highly trained units—ranging from expeditionary squads to full-fledged army groups—set off to explore newly discovered worlds, continuing the empire's relentless expansion across dimensions.

Meanwhile, on the 37th region of the Great Desert Continent, an event of great significance unfolded at the Neu-Olympus Gate. This gate, unlike the Rift Gate, connected directly to the world of the Saderan Empire, allowing an influx of Saderan emissaries, nobility, and even the imperial family to step foot in Terria, the heart of the Great Hania Empire.

Molt Sol Augustus, the Emperor of Sadera, along with his wife, his children Zorzal El Caesar and Pina Co Lada, and an entourage of high-ranking nobles, stood in absolute awe as they gazed upon the overwhelming might and grandeur of the Great Hania Empire. Their expectations of a formidable kingdom had been utterly shattered—this was something beyond their comprehension.

"By the gods... this is no empire. This is a world beyond worlds," Molt Sol Augustus muttered, gripping his golden scepter tightly. His eyes darted from the towering megacities piercing the heavens to the sky filled with flying machines that defied logic.

"Father, this... this is impossible!" Pina gasped, struggling to comprehend the holographic display that hovered before her, depicting real-time economic analytics. "We still rely on swords and horse-drawn carriages, yet they command steel birds, walking iron giants, and carriages that ride without steeds!"

Zorzal, usually arrogant and dismissive of anything beyond his understanding, could only clench his fists. He had long dreamed of power—of ruling over all—but this? This was the realm of deities. "Tch... power beyond comprehension. If we had even a fraction of this... no, even thinking of it is foolish. We are ants before titans."

Molt's wife delicately ran her fingers over the fine synthetic fabrics she had purchased from a high-end boutique, marveling at the craftsmanship. "Not just power, Zorzal. Art, beauty, science, philosophy... they have perfected all. Even their common folk dress better than our nobility."

A noble behind them, munching on a bag of potato chips, let out an unrestrained chuckle. "These... 'potato chips'... are divine. I shall order ten more crates!"

Many hours later, the Saderan delegation returned to their homeland, their minds still reeling from the wonders they had witnessed. Their ships and carriages were loaded with goods from Hanian markets—exotic fabrics, advanced weaponry, delicacies, and trinkets beyond anything they had ever seen. This encounter had reshaped their entire worldview, proving beyond doubt that the Great Hania Empire was far beyond their reach.

Meanwhile, in the heart of the empire, life continued as usual. Citizens went about their daily routines with independence and purpose, their lives enriched by the stability and prosperity under Nicholas' rule. But beyond the mundane, a cultural explosion was taking place. Videos documenting the Rift, new unknown worlds, and various media from Earth—ranging from Marvel and DC to Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and Star Wars—had become sensational across all Hanian digital platforms. The people of the empire, though possessing technology far surpassing Earth's, found themselves captivated by these ancient works of fiction.

Many creative individuals began producing adaptations of these stories, refining and enhancing them with Hanian storytelling techniques and cutting-edge cinematography. The result was an entertainment industry that eclipsed anything Earth had ever produced. Meanwhile, discussions about Earth's history led to a wave of fascination, horror, and intrigue. While some people found inspiration in past ideologies, crafting futuristic variations of aesthetic styles, others were horrified yet enthralled by the turbulent history of the old world.

At the same time, religious fervor had reached new heights. Devout worshippers openly declared Nicholas Liao Cheng as their supreme god, fully aware of his omnipotence and transcendence beyond reality. To them, he was not merely a ruler—he was an entity beyond all existence, worthy of absolute reverence.

And of course, as expected, anime had taken the empire by storm. The influence of Earth's animations led to a renaissance in Hanian storytelling, resulting in superior animated series and cinematic masterpieces that outshined anything Earth had ever created.

While the Great Hania Empire flourished, something monumental occurred in Nicholas' old world—Earth. Without warning, a Rift Gate, identical to the one constructed in Terria, materialized over the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands, a territory of the United States.

The residents of Hawaii, stunned by the cosmic anomaly, rushed to take photos and videos. Within minutes, news agencies reported the emergence of the colossal gateway. Before long, a fleet of expeditionary ships—hundreds in total—began emerging from the Rift, sailing into Earth's waters with undeniable precision and order.

As concern escalated, the U.S. military swiftly mobilized. Soldiers, naval forces, and aircraft were dispatched to make contact with the unknown fleet. Yet, rather than hostility, they were met with discipline and calculated diplomacy.

Hours later, the Hanian fleet reached the Hawaiian shores. To the shock of the world, there was no invasion—no aggression. Instead, the Hanians were welcomed by the local population, albeit with a mix of awe and apprehension. The United States had made its first contact with an entirely new world.

For centuries, mankind had viewed science fiction and fantasy as mere stories—imaginative tales detached from reality. But now, standing before them was living proof that such things were real. And at the center of it all, pulling the strings from beyond comprehension, was none other than Nicholas Liao Cheng—the god-king who had orchestrated this grand design all along.

(CHAPTER EIGHTEEN END)