Today, the Iron Empire's capital appeared exceptionally lively.
The streets of Iron Capital, with its enormous population, were still bustling as usual.
"Hey, did you hear? The Elasians have formed an alliance with us!"
"According to today's newspaper, they're directly supporting us with thirty Magic Crossbows?"
"I feel... that's probably exaggerated. According to my grandfather, the Elasians previously used over twenty Magic Crossbows to attack all the way to the outskirts of Iron Capital..."
"Really? Aren't those their most important weapons? Giving all these weapons to us... aren't they afraid we'll betray the alliance?"
"It's probably fake, right? Why would a small country support us, a great power? That doesn't make sense..."
...
Although it was still early dawn, the outskirts of Iron Capital were already filled with soldiers ready to welcome the visitors.
Today was quite a special day for the Iron Empire.
The same was true for Elasia.
Although the war between the two countries had stopped over twenty years ago, this was the first time in over a thousand years that the two countries had truly publicly joined hands.
What this meant was all too clear to everyone.
Soldiers in black iron armor, led by a red-haired girl in a maid outfit, formed two lines in the city outskirts, preparing to welcome the approaching Elasian knights.
As a super-vast superpower, although the Iron Empire was primarily composed of humans, it also included a considerable number of demi-human citizens.
The red-haired girl was one of them.
The colorful dragon horns on her head revealed her identity as a dragon empress.
However, since this was the Iron Empire after all, she naturally wasn't some dragon empress, but His Majesty the Iron Emperor's personal maid.
As His Majesty the Iron Emperor's maid, while serving Alexandra's daily needs, she was also responsible for the Iron Empire's military affairs.
Learning that the Elasian envoy delivering weapons was Cecilia, Alexandra chose her, the Iron Empire's military commander, to welcome Cecilia in order to make the diplomatic protocol thorough.
"When will the Elasians arrive..."
The dragon girl was praying in place.
She hoped the Elasians would arrive later... so she wouldn't have to wake His Majesty the Iron Emperor...
Every time she woke His Majesty the Iron Emperor, she would find ways to tease her...
Thinking of yesterday when she went to wake Empress Alexandra and was asked to say in a cute voice—"I'll cast a spirit-lifting spell for Master now~"—her pretty face inexplicably reddened.
Seeing the Elasian knights in white armor carrying flags embroidered with moons enter her field of vision, the cute dragon girl quickly shook her head to dispel those embarrassing memories from her mind and put on a serious expression.
"All personnel! Attention!"
As the girl's cute voice rang out, all soldiers in dark heavy armor immediately straightened their bodies, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
Although the girl seemed truly fragile, those who had fought alongside her for many years knew very well the terrifying power of this dragon empress when she was serious.
...
"Don't lose your manners in front of our allied nation's army later! Did you remember?"
"Yes!"
After the reminder, Cecilia led the soldiers toward the welcoming formation below Iron Capital.
The Elasian knights escorting large numbers of Magic Crossbows, led by Cecilia, soon walked to the front of the Iron Armor Legion responsible for the welcome.
The black-armored army and white-armored knights facing each other both maintained solemnity and silence.
They all knew—today's meeting between the two nations' military forces was extremely important and couldn't go wrong.
So they were all waiting for their leaders' commands.
Knowing that as a guest she couldn't be discourteous, Cecilia immediately ordered the knights to perform military salutes before the Iron Empire's army.
"All knights, remove your face armor!"
The knights instantly and uniformly placed their weapons in their left hands and used their right hands to remove their face armor.
"Perform the [Arrow Withdrawal Salute]!"
After Cecilia's order, the knights immediately took out the crossbows from their backs, pointed the crossbows toward the sky, and withdrew the loaded bolts.
The [Arrow Withdrawal Salute] was the highest courtesy in the Elasian military.
The core of the Elasian army was ranged weapons. Withdrawing arrows from bows and crossbows represented absolute trust in the other party.
After the Elasians finished their salute, the dragon girl also immediately ordered the soldiers in iron armor:
"All soldiers! Perform the [Armor Removal Salute]!"
The soldiers in black iron armor immediately and uniformly removed the heavy black iron armor from their bodies and neatly placed the armor beside them.
The Iron Empire's [Armor Removal Salute] corresponded to the Elasians' [Arrow Withdrawal Salute] and was also the highest courtesy in the military.
Facing Elasian ranged attacks and demonic magic, the heavy iron armor was the guardian god of Iron Empire soldiers.
Removing this "guardian god" also represented absolute trust in the other party.
"All knights! Make camp three li outside the city!"
After exchanging salutes, Cecilia immediately ordered the knights to put down the Magic Crossbows and go camp three li away.
"All warriors! Begin receiving weapons in order!"
Under the dragon girl's command, the warriors who had put their armor back on also began the work of receiving the Magic Crossbows.
After this, they didn't need to be so serious anymore.
The dragon girl walked to Cecilia's front, extended her bare hand, and said with a smile:
"Miss Cecilia, I am Nina Drax, Vice Marshal of the Iron Empire. Just call me Nina."
Cecilia also showed a gentle smile, reached out to shake hands with Nina, and said:
"Lady Nina, I represent the will of Her Majesty Elashia, delivering Elasia's aid supplies to the Iron Empire..."
However, before Cecilia could finish speaking, a soldier in black armor walked over and said to Cecilia with a somewhat awkward smile:
"Uh... Hello, Miss Cecilia... Did you... perhaps miscount the number of Magic Crossbows..."
As the squad leader, he had just gone through quite a significant internal struggle.
The number of Magic Crossbows wasn't short compared to what was agreed upon, which was indeed good.
However—there were a full twenty more?!
If it were any other time, seeing so many extra free weapons, he would of course only be happy.
But now it wasn't like that...
He knew this matter was no small thing.
Every Magic Crossbow embodied Elasia's highest technology and countless Elasian resources.
He couldn't let the Elasians realize after returning home—that they had given away all their nation-protecting divine weapons!
Wouldn't the alliance be finished immediately then!
Thinking that the currently friendly-faced Cecilia might come next time furiously saying—"I've come to end this alliance!"—he immediately mustered up his courage!
Peace for countless years ahead couldn't be compared to a few weapons!
So even at the risk of being discourteous, he had to speak up about this matter!