VOLUME TWO ( CHAPTER NINETEEN )

Chapter Nineteen

After the unprecedented incident in Hawaii, the world stood at the precipice of a new era. The sudden opening of the Rift Gate near the Pacific, coupled with the arrival of the Great Hania Empire's expeditionary fleet, sent shockwaves through geopolitical and scientific communities worldwide. The United States, as the first to make contact, scrambled to establish diplomatic relations with this otherworldly superpower. However, it wasn't just the U.S. that was affected—major global powers, including the United Nations, NATO, BRICS, CIS, and other international coalitions, quickly mobilized their diplomatic efforts to engage with the Great Hania Empire.

Weeks passed, and the initial shock began to fade, but for many Earthlings, disbelief still lingered. The very fabric of their reality had been rewritten. What had once been confined to science fiction and fantasy was now tangible, indisputable truth. Governments, scholars, and the general public demanded answers. Who were the Hanians? Where did they come from? What were their intentions? Were they friends or foes?

During numerous interviews and diplomatic exchanges, the Hanians provided explanations and, more importantly, warnings. They made it explicitly clear that the Founding Emperor, Nicholas Liao Cheng, was the supreme ruler and creator of their world and civilization. They advised the Earthlings not to defy his authority, for he was the one who had shaped their existence. Yet, when this warning was delivered, many Earthlings laughed and dismissed it as religious or imperialistic propaganda. Some believed it was a mere power play, an attempt to establish dominance through myth and legend. But the tone of skepticism quickly shifted when the Hanians revealed a shocking truth—their lifespans were seven times longer than those of Earthlings.

This revelation baffled scientists and biologists across the globe. The mystery of the Hanian biology became a central topic in research labs and universities. How could they live so long? What kind of physiology or genetic advancements allowed them such longevity? The question remained unanswered, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the already enigmatic empire.

Months passed on Terria, but for Earth, years had gone by. It was now the year 11 IE (Imperial Era), and by this point, the entire planet had come to terms with an undeniable fact: The Great Hania Empire was the world's new global superpower. The United States, which had long held that title, now found itself in second place. This shift in the balance of power was not merely due to Hanian military might, but also their technological superiority, economic strength, and cultural influence.

Cultural exchanges between Earthlings and Hanians became increasingly common, though for many on Earth, it was difficult to comprehend the extent of Hanian advancements. While both civilizations had similarities, the Hanians were leagues beyond the Earthlings in terms of technology, infrastructure, and societal development. Hanian entertainment, arts, and literature captivated audiences worldwide. They took inspiration from Earth's stories, such as those from Marvel, DC, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and Star Wars, but elevated them beyond their original form.

However, it wasn't just media that fascinated the world. Fashion trends, political philosophies, and even religious ideologies underwent massive shifts. Some Earthlings, particularly those with deeply held religious beliefs, came to view Nicholas Liao Cheng as a true deity. Worship of the Founding Emperor began to spread in various corners of the world, despite resistance from traditional religious institutions. Some labeled these followers as misguided cultists, while others saw them as visionaries embracing a new divine truth.

Meanwhile, back in the Great Hania Empire, exploration continued. Thanks to the Rift Gate, three new unknown lands appeared in Terria, further expanding the empire's dominion. But what was even more astonishing was that the Rift Gate itself had received an "update." New worlds would now be connected—an occurrence that had ramifications far beyond what anyone could predict.

In an entirely different realm, known as the New World from Nihonkoku Shoukan, events were unfolding rapidly. A mere 21 days after Japan had been summoned to this mysterious world, the Rift Gate manifested near their nation, just as it had near Earth. The sudden appearance of this cosmic gateway left the Japanese government and military in shock.

At the same time, on the Rodenius Continent, three nations—the Qua-Toyne Principality, the Quila Kingdom, and the Louria Empire—were in the midst of a brutal conflict. King Hark Louria XXXIV of the Louria Empire had launched a conquest campaign, seeking to unify the Rodenius Continent and eradicate all demi-humans, elves, and other non-human races, whom he deemed inferior. The war was reaching a critical point when, without warning, the Great Hania Empire's expeditionary forces arrived.

The Hanians wasted no time establishing diplomatic negotiations with Japan. The Japanese, still reeling from their own unexpected transportation to this world, now found themselves face-to-face with another mysterious force—one far greater than anything they had encountered before.

Far to the south, in the Annonrial Empire, an empire inhabited by winged beings possessing long-lost technology, an entirely different reaction was taking place. The mere presence of the Great Hania Empire filled them with an existential dread. Many feared that the old oppressors—the Ravernal Empire—had returned. To them, the very word "Ravernal" was a forbidden curse, a reminder of the dark past when the Ravernals had enslaved the entire New World, only to be wiped out by an asteroid. But now, as they observed the Hanians, they could not shake the feeling that history was repeating itself.

Elsewhere, in the Third Civilization Area, the Parpaldian Empire's naval forces came into contact with a fleet from the Great Hania Empire. At first, they hesitated, unsure of whether to engage. However, when a Hanian destroyer ship initiated peaceful contact, the situation took a different turn. Word quickly reached Emperor Ludius in the capital city of Esthirant.

Ludius, upon receiving reports of both the Rift Gate and the Hanian fleet, struggled to believe what he was hearing. The sheer scale of the events unfolding before him seemed exaggerated—impossible, even. Yet, when he looked at images of the Hanian fleet, his doubts began to waver. Their technology was unlike anything seen before, even surpassing that of the Holy Milishial Empire and the Commonwealth of Mu.

Meanwhile, in the Gra Valkas Empire, Emperor Gralux convened an emergency meeting with his top generals, including Gra Cabal, Dallas Claymond, and Cielia Oudwin. Out of sheer curiosity, the empire dispatched a naval expedition to explore the Far East Sea, near Japan's waters, to assess the situation themselves.

Back on the Grameus Continent, the demon king Nosograth sensed an ominous disturbance. He halted his army's advance, his instincts warning him of an unprecedented danger. As he gazed at the Rift Gate in the sky, his mind was flooded with memories long buried. The feeling was unmistakable—this force was far beyond anything he had ever known. A single thought echoed in his mind: The Great Hania Empire was even more terrifying than the legendary Ravernal Empire and the Emissaries of the Sun God (Japan's forces from World War II).

Within the Parpaldian Empire, heated discussions erupted in the royal palace. Remille, an influential auditor of internal affairs, openly dismissed the Great Hania Empire as nothing more than a barbaric nation. Her arrogance stemmed from Parpaldia's deeply ingrained sense of racial supremacy and their habitual mistreatment of those they deemed inferior. However, by underestimating the Hanians, Remille unknowingly set the stage for her downfall.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hania Empire, Nicholas Liao Cheng continued writing the chronicles of his empire and his divine journey. He was well aware of the unfolding events in the New World, and he knew that the story of the Great Hania Empire's encounter with Nihonkoku Shoukan would require an entirely separate book.

With new lands still awaiting exploration, and the Rift Gate continuing to expand, the journey was far from over.

(CHAPTER NINETEEN END)