rg
A Dip in the Ocean I had conquered the Dukedom of Schtraut. It was a victory built atop countless deaths: Duke Sharon, Basil de Buffon, the people of the Adventurers’ Guild... None of these people had deserved their fates, nor had all the brave little Swarms that lost their lives in the conflict. My Swarm feared nothing; many unflinchingly strode into certain death so that we could get just that much closer to our victory. Their lives were necessary sacrifices. If not for them, we would not have won. Irritatingly, the Dukedom was connected to the great power of the south—the Empire of Nyrnal—via the elven forest. On top of that, it bordered the Popedom of Frantz to the east. I had successfully driven a wedge between Frantz and Nyrnal during the International Council, but after just one country declared war on us, a huge target had been painted on our backs. The other major power was always seeking to take advantage of the fact that we were pressed on one front to attack us on ano...