"What pushed for the approval of this insane alleged cooperation? I know they were pushing to join this year’s Astral Cup by sending a delegation, but this is the Empire’s Annual Expo we’re talking about."
"Moreover, we still need to vet their delegation. We can’t simply allow them to send over those they deem disposable."
Who would want history to repeat itself? While it had been a long time since then, how could officers like them ignore the fact that the Federation once used suicide bombers?
It was one thing to forgive but another to forget. Also, they haven’t even forgiven anyone, and all that was there was that uneasy peace due to the greater threat of corruption.
But that was it. They weren’t exactly best buddies.
Given the Federation’s less-than-stellar track record, allowing them to participate in the expo would likely endanger the masses. Worse, it would endanger the cadets, particularly Luca, who was the likely target.
"They seem to be aware of that. Which is exactly how they forced their way in, amicably," Emperor Xavian said.
"It’s Cassian Veyra. They are sending him over, along with the other children of their elite."
"What?!"
"Your Majesty, their delegation for the Astral Cup would be Cassian and friends?!" Killian’s face twisted as if he had seen something grotesque. But really, could anyone blame him?
The problem was clear. Refusing the proposal would send a hostile message, especially since the Federation was practically offering its future elites.
It would’ve been another thing if they hadn’t been made aware of the identities of the delegates off the bat. But being told like this was just to make it more difficult to disagree.
The Federation was basically giving them convenient hostages as a form of reassurance.
A clear attempt to show they would not dare do anything reckless, because the Empire would be holding their precious heirs.
But at the same time, their presence came with a terrifying implication. Anything that happened to these children while on imperial soil would be treated as a declaration of war.
A headache.
Killian felt one forming. Now he needed to figure out the kind of team they would be forced to assemble to deal with such people.
However, just when he thought he had heard everything, his father spoke again.
"Actually, one more thing. It’s the elves. They heard about the orcs attending the expo, and now they are clamoring for fairness."
Duke Leander snarled loudly at that, and understandably so. Even Killian gritted his teeth, remembering how they had discovered that elven technology had been used in triggering the Zone Four attack.
Suddenly, more than the Federation, the elves were starting to appear far more problematic.
"They’re asking for such a thing? Have they forgotten that the orcs are coming because Princess Kira happens to be studying here? What? Don’t tell me they’re also planning on sending their heirs?" Killian asked, incredulous.
But what do you know?
Everyone looked at him with exasperated eyes, and he could not help but mutter a curse.
No surprise. They were doing that too.
They had their own regional Astral Cup selections, so what was with everyone wanting to take a field trip to the Capital?
If they were being like that, then shouldn’t they just gather the dwarves and the other species? He thought in internal anger as he tried to count from one hundred backwards.
But maybe some people really ought never to curse, because as the word spread around about the popularity of the Annual Expo, the heroes of Zone Four, and the sudden participation of foreign delegations, one institution was thrown into the spotlight.
The Royal Military Academy.
As the school that always churned out students and guilds that had long participated in the Astral Cup, they were then notorious for having several participants for the Annual Expo.
Which was ideally great and all. Not only did it increase the school’s prominence, but it also allowed the Academy to have a more direct impact and access to a broader range of innovations.
In fact, it could be said that most guilds at least passed by or got the approval of the Academy when it came to the things they would present at the expo.
Well, naturally, they would. Because most of the professors were known experts in their fields. Consulting with them would just be common sense.
An improved mecha component? Done with the help of the professors.

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