"So, Diablo is going to lead the demons into the Eastern Empire while a large portion of their troops are attacking us. They're going to help open up another front." Artoria explained to Rimuru as she ate her second pecan pie. Shuna stayed at the table as she listened, staying quiet.
"Open up another front? But there's only one direction, and that's us."
"They're going to open up another front inside the Eastern Empire."
"But they're just a few demons. I know they're strong, but surely they can't do everything themselves."
Artoria was expecting that answer from Rimuru. He still didn't realize just how strong Diablo is and what else he could do besides just fight. She took another bite of pecan pie before continuing.
"That's why they're going to cause an uprising or revolution inside the Eastern Empire. But that's not all. As they go into the Eastern Empire, they're going to destroy and burn as many logistical and military targets as they can, and other things in general. Make them completely unusable. An invasion or war needs a lot of supplies, money, a strong economy, resources, and logistics to win. If you don't have that, your only option is a swift and short battle, just ask Germany for what I mean. This operation will take away, or severely cripple, those things from the Eastern Empire. This is a bit of a combo from history, specifically, American and Russian history."
"Would that even work?" Rimuru said. To him, this sounded ambitious, too ambitious. There was no way this would work.
"There are at least 800 million people in the Eastern Empire living under a tyrannical and ruthless emperor. He wouldn't hesitate—and he has already done it—to make an example of people to put the others in place and make them live in fear and oppression."
"Would they even want to rise up in those conditions?" Rimuru said, even more convinced of the seemingly impossible objective of her proposed mission.
Artoria only smiled in response. Two quotes from famous pieces of writing made their way into her mind. "'When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.'" Artoria felt a certain way when she said it. It made her feel a little patriotic.
"What?" Rimiru did not know what she was saying. That kind of English sounded way too advanced for him.
Artoria let out a small chuckle. "You'll never hear anyone write or talk like that in a modern age, Rimuru. And those that do will probably not have such sentiment behind it."
"What does that mean? Because to be honest, I don't get it."
"It means that when a government abuses its power and is reduced to tyranny, the people have the right and duty to overthrow the government. It's simple to understand."
"Where is that from? No disrespect, but I doubt you could come up with something like that on your own."
"None taken. It's from American history. And It's hardly the only piece of writing to echo such a message or sentiment."
"Then why don't they? Don't tell me they happily live in such an environment. Surely there should be people trying to stand up even in the face of such tyranny."
"'The people do not complain because they have no voice; do not move because they are lethargic.' If we want to help change the Eastern Empire so that a new ruling class doesn't just continue the cycle, we need to take them down and rebuild them on a deep societal level. The biggest threat to a dictator, authoritarian, or tyrannical government isn't outside influence from another country, but from other political alternatives. If the people of that society truly believe that a different form of government can exist in their society, they'll start wanting to overthrow them. 'There are no tyrants if there are no slaves.'," Artoria said, as in a rare moment, she set aside her food to look at Rimuru seriously. "This war is about more than just defending ourselves, Rimuru."
Rimuru could feel how much different the atmosphere around her was. It was sudden. "How will we cause such a change?"
"First, after we win the upcoming war, we'll need to decide what to do with the Eastern Empire. I'm considering taking over some of their territory, maybe half, or temporarily placing them under military occupation while we help them reconstruct their government and turn them into an ally while installing a leader that is favorable towards us," Artoria said, but as she did, she looked at Rimuru. She realized that what she was describing was very similar to what happened to his country. "This should be familiar to you, Rimuru. Did you ever pay attention in your history class? You should know what happened to Japan after…the events of 1937–1945."
Rimuru tried remembering his history class. The only thing he could remember was just black and white pictures. But then he did remember seeing a picture of a tall guy next to one of the emperors of Japan and other things. "I remember seeing some pictures of some guy with like a big smoking pipe and cool sunglasses in a book."
That description was all Arotria needed. No one else came to her mind with such a description, considering the context of the current conversation. "Yeah, that's good enough for me. Let's all be thankful that a certain plan or idea of his wasn't implemented during the 1950s, or else Eurasia would be a very different place, and a very dangerous precedent for war would've been set."
Rimuru had to think about what she said, but one thing was on his mind. "How do you think the way you do?"
"I don't know, and don't say that, I'm a not that kind of person. So yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it. I'll explain more in a proper setting. Diablo and friends are going to destroy and burn as many military and logistical targets as possible, collateral damage permitted, behind enemy lines, so their supply routes crumble. And while they do that, they will incite a revolution, so that the Eastern Empire will be forced to divert attention away from us, which will make it easier for us to fight. The goal of this will be to turn the tables and invade them. And we will expand the Tempest empire." Artoria nodded. She didn't want to get ahead of herself, but she would expand the empire as much as she could, whether in land or influence, or much more preferably, both.
"Should we do that? I mean, we've already absorbed two territories already. What if people think we have imperialist or expansionist tendencies?"
"You should know something about that, Rimuru, because I do. Want me to tell you about early U.S. history? Manifest destiny, the very shady, at best, way the U.S. got Hawaii, the Mexican-American War, and then there's something you should really know about, the Kanagawa Treaty. Do you want me to go on? 'Cause I can."
"Uh, what are all those events?"
"Examples of American imperialism and expansion. Way too much to go into, but if you're up for a few drinks and have a few hours to spare, maybe we could talk about it. I could go in depth about how the Kanagawa treaty is the root cause of why Korea is separated into North and South one hundred years after it was signed."
"Uh, probably not. I think you've made your point. You seem very harsh against the U.S."
"Maybe, but it's stuff that's happened. Can't really do much about it except learn from it and study it. And it's not like I hate the U.S. Some people can't seem to know that you can love and be proud of something while still wanting it to get better even when acknowledging the faults and mistakes."
"Wow. You know, maybe I am up for a few drinks." If she could keep talking like this, maybe he could stay longer. There have to be a few lessons here.
"Cool. Hey, Shuna, if you want, you can go to sleep, or stay here and listen. I'll go for some drinks. And don't worry, I'm not gonna go talking crazy." Artoria said to Shuna before going to the kitchen and returning with a few bottles of whiskey and tequila. Shuna decided she would stay. Mostly to watch over Artoria.
(A few drinks later)
"Alright, Rimuru, so I'm going to assume you know about vampires, a bit of Celtic mythology, transforming robots from space, Thomas Edison, and ancient alien artifacts."
"Yeah, totally."
He only got some of it. Some strong drinks in, combined with lowering their resistance as much as they could, and Artoria was already talking a little bit crazy,
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"So, like, George Washington not only had help from the French, but also from transforming alien robots. He was part of a secret society that spanned generations and the world to protect a secret. And one time, with the help of a Native American, he found an alien artifact that showed him glimpses of a future where he was the tyrannical king of America."
"The French helped America?"
"The French would help anyone if it meant getting one over the British. But the most notable help came from this guy called Lafayette. He had a long name. It was, uh… something, something, something, Marquis de Lafayette. There's a lot of places and things named after this guy." Artoria said as she took another drink of whiskey, a particularly stronger and more robust whiskey.
"He must've been good if we're talking about him rather than those robots or alien artifacts."
"Yeah, he's America's favorite fighting Frenchman. No one matches his resilience or practical tactical brilliance."
"That rhymed."
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(More drinks later)
"...And then Abraham Lincoln put out a call for silver to combat the vampires in the Confederate army. It's kind of poetic, because at the end of the day, everyone became a vampire slayer."
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(Even more drinks later.)
"...And then, Queen Medbe, with her infinite army, goes to war with America, which causes all the presidents of America to put together their power to empower Thomas Edison, so he can go against her using good ol' American industrial power and capitalism to build his infinite army. That's how Thomas Edison became the President King of America, or Presi-King for short."
"Interesting," Rimuru said as he was focused on the entire conversation. It turns out, American history is a lot cooler than he thought.
"Yeah, this is the history they don't teach in schools, Rimuru," Artoria said as she drank another glass of whiskey.
"I wonder why. They must be hiding the truth from the people."
Shuna got up and took the glass away from Artoria. She may not know the history from Artoria's world like she does, but even she could tell that she was just talking nonsense at this point. "Ok, I'm stopping you. Come on, Artoria, it's time to sleep."
Artoria let herself be carried away by Shuna as she told Rimuru one last thing, "Okay, Shuna. You can go home, Rimuru. You don't want to be here for what usually happens in the morning with me and Shuna." It might have been too much information.
"Artoria! Stop!" Shuna said loudly as she blushed. She was wondering if she was at that sweet spot where her body wouldn't automatically just get rid of the alcohol because of her resistance.
"Sorry, Shuna. But it's okay, it's not like he has any experience to know what I'm talking about."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rimuru said. He didn't know exactly what she was talking about, but he knew she was trying to poke fun at him.
"Good night," Artoria said before falling asleep as Shuna dragged her to their room.