Reincarnated with the Country System

The Celestial Galleon "Light of Veneris" glided smoothly through the misty skies, its golden sails catching the windless void.

Then, the voice crackled through the ship's magical amplifiers.

"Unidentified fleet, this is the Bernard Empire North Ocean Fleet. You are entering sovereign waters. Identify yourselves immediately."

The language was foreign—sharper, more clipped than the sacred tongues of his homeland—but the Translation Sigils woven into the ship's runes did their work. The meaning became clear.

A challenge. A warning.

Raihan frowned. The Bernard Empire? He had never heard of such a nation. Were they vassals of some forgotten kingdom? The gods had not spoken of another empire in this direction.

He turned to his second-in-command, Knight-Commander Solas. "Respond. Inform them we are emissaries of the Ancient Holy Empire, here on divine mandate. We do not seek war—but we will not be denied passage."

Solas nodded and activated the Voice Sphere, his voice projected across the sky in response.

"This is Knight-Commander Solas of the Ancient Holy Empire. We are here under divine order to investigate a great evil within your lands. We do not come as invaders, but as protectors of the world. Stand aside."

BNS Argent Wolf – Bridge

0420 Hours

Commander Elias, the officer in charge of the Northern Patrol Group listened to the response through his headset. His jaw tightened.

"Protectors of the world?"

What kind of cultist nonsense was this?

He turned to his executive officer. "What's the read on their weaponry?"

"Hard to say," the weapons officer replied. "They're flying ships, sir. No visible missile pods, no railguns, no heat signatures consistent with known propulsion tech. But… we are detecting energy readings. Strong ones. Like some kind of ionization field."

He stepped back to the comms station.

"Knight-Commander Solas, this is Commander Elias of the Bernard Empire Navy. We do not recognize your authority here. If you wish to enter our territory, you will provide your full identification, state your intentions in detail, and await diplomatic clearance. If you fail to comply, we will consider you a hostile force and take appropriate action."

His voice was firm. No bravado, no unnecessary threats—just the reality of military protocol.

He gestured to his weapons officer. "Put a lock on their lead ship—passive targeting only. Make sure they know we're not screwing around."

A soft chime confirmed the radar lock.

Light of Veneris – Raihan's POV

Raihan heard the response.

His warriors shifted uneasily.

Solas whispered, "They are challenging us, Lord Raihan."

Raihan exhaled slowly.

"We are in their waters," he admitted. "They have a right to question us."

He walked to the Voice Sphere and placed his hand on its glowing surface.

"Commander Elias of the Bernard Empire. I am Raihan, Champion of the Holy Empire, chosen by the gods. We seek only to locate and contain a great evil that threatens all lands—including yours.

We do not wish to provoke war. But if you believe you can dictate our actions with threats, you will find that no empire, no machine, and no army can stand against the will of the gods."

The moment he finished speaking, the sky crackled with divine energy—not an attack, not a warning, but a reminder that his fleet was more than just wood and steel. They were the hand of the divine.

♦♦♦

Thousands of people have gathered inside the city's football stadium because Alberto will address the nation here today.

Alberto stepped onto the podium. The crowd fell silent.

The Speech

"People of the Bernard Empire."

His voice was calm, measured, amplified by the System's acoustics to reach every corner of the stadium.

"Three days ago, our capital was attacked. Thousands died. Buildings that had stood for generations were reduced to ash. And yet—" He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You are still here. The Empire is still here."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Some of you have asked: Why us? Why must we suffer while others live in peace?" He leaned forward, gripping the podium. "I will tell you why. Because we are not a people who beg for mercy. We are not a nation that cowers before gods or monsters. We are the ones who build—even when the sky is falling."

He gestured to the reconstructed skyline of Rafa—gleaming towers, reinforced walls, the Celestial Aegis shimmering overhead.

"Look around you. This city was rebuilt in a single night. Not by miracles. Not by divine favor. By our hands. By our will."

A few cheers rose, hesitant at first, then swelling.

"The enemy thought we would break. They were wrong." His voice hardened. "Now, they will learn what happens when you provoke the Bernard Empire."

He raised his fist.

"We do not kneel. We do not surrender. And if the heavens themselves stand in our way—

We will tear them down."

The crowd erupted.

...

Alberto stepped off the stage, the roars of the crowd still ringing in his ears.

Then, Foreign Minister James appeared.

"Your Majesty," James said, keeping his voice low. "We have an urgent message from the North Ocean Fleet."

Alberto didn't slow his stride. "Speak."

"An airborne fleet from the Ancient Holy Empire has crossed into our territorial waters. They claim there is a 'source of great evil' within our borders. Their ships are armed for war."

Alberto's jaw twitched. "How many?"

"Twelve celestial galleons. At least five hundreds holy warriors."

Ancient Holy empire —Huh, an evil god was imprisoned there too. Did they find out about IN'THERAK? They are very fast. Even from this distance, they could feel IN'THERAK's presence. But what evil force are they talking about even after IN'THERAK gone? Hmm... I should discuss it with them.

James hesitated. "Your Majesty, if we don't act, this could escalate into—"

"Let them come," Alberto interrupted.

James blinked. "…Your majesty?"

"Guide them to Port Athens. No hostilities. No blockades. Let them dock."

"But—" James lowered his voice further. "That's our largest naval hub—And if it's a trap?"

Alberto finally stopped walking. He turned, his eyes like steel.

"Then we'll show them why you don't corner a wolf."