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Unfortunately, even without the forces on Emilia's side providing additional 'support' to the 'bandits' they had shipped to the enemy territories… the 'disease' only continued to spread.
Even when the leaders of their respective territories finally started to realize the gravity of the situation, it was already too late.
These 'rats' that they thought they would be able to easily stomp to death whenever they wanted had already burrowed hundreds of holes to hide in within their houses, and transformed into a plague.
Every time they sent their mighty army in, it was like slamming their heads into a wall.
To make matters worse, the few instances of 'success' they had also didn't help when the other side retaliated unscrupulously, slaughtering officials and the innocent alike whenever they got the chance, creating a public relations disaster for the respective governments.
Just when they were starting to tear their hair out in frustration, however, 'help' came from an unexpected source.
"… Just who did you mention wanted to talk to me, again…? I think I misheard you."
"…I-It's E-Empress Emilia, f-from Blue Dawn!"
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Obviously, the reason Emilia proposed to help out her former enemies wasn't because she was a saint.
The war between the Federation and her empire might have been over, and they might have ultimately come out on top, but that must have only increased the resentment of the other side.
Even if she were to believe that their actions were mostly guided by the world will in the past, just the humiliation and loss they'd suffered under her hand later would still be enough for them to harbor thoughts of revenge.
Of course, since these opponents were cunning enough to retreat once they 'came back to their senses', Emilia knew that it was entirely possible that they would never act on these 'impulsive' thoughts. But it wasn't really a chance she was willing to take when she knew she would be leaving soon.
The thought of her admirers suffering and being humiliated after she was gone would always plague her if she couldn't take care of these threats in advance.
But getting rid of them was easier said than done.
Luckily, they were currently still dealing with a 'troublesome' issue that she could use as an excuse to reach into their territories.
"I appreciate that you're willing to help us exterminate those vermin, but Empress Emilia… please understand that while I can allow some of your soldiers in, we really cannot afford to risk your life for such trivial matters."
The man she was speaking to was the 'new' leader of one of the ex-member states of the now temporarily disbanded Federation.
Obviously, while three of the leaders who formed the Federation were still in power, not many had been able to stay in their positions and handle the aftermath of their loss, including the president of Red Dusk.
"… How touching that you would care so much about me." Emilia smiled. "Alright, I shall honor your wish."
Though they were all understandably wary of her motives, her 'enemies' never took the threat of the few hundred soldiers she sent in too seriously.
After all, Emilia might be terrifying on the battlefield, and her influence over the people might be great, but so long as she wasn't allowed to step foot into their territories in person, what could she possibly do to them?
Of course, not everyone was very optimistic about the 'help' she was providing. "Mr. President… letting the 'experts' sent by her lead our troops… is that really a good idea?"
The man who had just been on the call with Emilia chuckled. "Our soldiers will naturally only follow their instructions on the surface, but remain vigilant at the same time. As for their effectiveness… that depends on Emilia's sincerity. After all, the public may not know it, but we all know where this scourge really came from."
In the worst case, the 'experts' sent by Emilia would only waste some time, or get a few of their soldiers killed by the vermin intentionally… but they were already prepared for that.
"If they show any ill intentions… well, bullets don't have eyes. No one can blame us for being 'unable' to protect them."
They had no idea she was also hidden among the soldiers of Blue Dawn, or that she'd already escaped from their primitive surveillance.
Of course, the rest of the soldiers really did go about trying to 'exterminate' the criminals who had taken over certain territories and were terrorizing the people, though given the nature of their 'assignments', the risks they took were really minimal.
It helped that many of the 'key figures' among these 'terrorists' had a tiny tracker embedded deep within their bodies that the forces of Blue Dawn could activate at any time. All they had to be really wary of was to not expose this fact to the enemy.
Obviously, if they could get rid of that scourge that managed to survive thanks to the desperate situation at that time, Emilia didn't mind.
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Her girlfriends were obviously upset at not being allowed to follow Emilia on the 'secret' mission, though they understood that much of the crimson-haired beauty's advantage of using her shapeshift skill would be lost if she had someone accompanying her.
Of course, Noelle and Sam suffered the most, having not even touched their lover for months.
"… There's no need to cry, big sister. Although Emilia left before you arrived, it was only because she was in a hurry to finish all the tedious tasks before we can relax and have fun."
Crystal's voice was both soothing and confident, but its effectiveness was greatly reduced by Noelle's snickering.
Naturally, Sam couldn't take it. "W-Who's crying?! N-Not me! Do you see any tears on my cheeks? Do you?!"
Obviously, her eyes were so red and pooling with unshed tears that no one could deny that she was about to cry, but as long as the taller girl insisted, it was really hard to 'prove' anything.
That is… until one of her own eyes betrayed her and a treacherous tear slid down the dashing beauty's mortified face.
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