The crimson sun bled across the horizon, painting the battlefield in shades of mourning as the Kylian forces moved to secure their victory. The air, thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the metallic tang of blood, hung heavy with the weight of death. Captains Aviasti and Yuter, their faces grim with the realities of war, led their infantry companies through the ravaged landscape. Rifles at the ready, they rounded up the surviving Rosian soldiers, their faces etched with shock and despair.
Captain Odin, his silver saber still dripping with the blood of the fallen, led his cavalry in pursuit of the scattered remnants of the Rosian army. The thunder of hooves echoed across the plains as they pinned down those who dared to flee, ensuring that none would escape to carry tales of Kylia's devastating victory.
Amid the chaos, Captain Vahon and his 1st Logistics Company worked tirelessly, tending to the wounded, Kylian and Rosian alike. Bandages were applied, splints were fashioned, and words of comfort were murmured, a small act of humanity(but they're not human?) in the face of overwhelming destruction. But even their efforts seemed a bit inadequate against the sheer scale of the suffering.
Casualties on the Rosian side were devastating. From a pre battle condition of 1200 men, casualties amounted to 700 dead, 100 suffering severe injuries and almost all lightly injured or exhausted.
Meanwhile, the Kylians Casualties only consisted of this one soldier stepping on a hole in the ground, rolling his ankle.
It can be said that the Rosians experienced a crushing defeat and now have almost no say in the negotiations of reparations.
Finally, once the battlefield had been secured and the wounded had been tended to, Kylia turned her attention back to Rosa.
The walk to the makeshift command tent was silent, punctuated only by the crunch of their boots on the churned earth. The setting sun cast long, distorted shadows that stretched and danced around them, mimicking the uncertainty that hung heavy in the air. Rosa's hand, still clasped in Kylia's, felt cold and stiff.
Inside the tent, the air was marginally cleaner, though the smell of disinfectant and unwashed soldiers still lingered. A rough-hewn table served as Kylia's desk, littered with maps and dispatches.
The two exhaustedly stumbled onto two crates dragged in to serve as chairs. During the battle the two clashed for only two seconds, yet drained 7% of their energy reserves. While Valors have high output, durability and endurance leaves much to be desired. A Valor may be able to defeat dozens of men in seconds but when confronted with hundreds, they may soon find themselves consumed to death.
"Onto Reparations," Kylia said wearily slumped on her chair. "Rosa, you understand that your state has initiated an act of war against mine. As such, the Kingdom of Kylia demands Rosa City be seceded, a new trade agreement and reparations of 500,000 Kon for 10 years, a total of 5 million Kon. In exchange the Kingdom of Kylia will release all prisoners of war.
Both Kylia and Rosa Know the State of Rosa is now too weak to protect the isolated New Rosa City in the south, let alone Rosa City coveted by the Coalition. The best result is for Rosa to secede Rosa City to the Kylians. Another reason that compels Rosa to give up Rosa City is to screw the Coalition, the fence sitter, from getting stronger.
Rosa rose from her chair as she stubbornly refused. "Seceding Rosa City and trade is acceptable but 5 million Kon? Impossible! At most I am willing to give 1 Million Kon, Rosa City represents over half of our population and revenue!"
"That's slashing 4/5ths of Reparations!" Kylia exclaimed. "How about 2 million Kon, less than half the original deal yet twice yours."
"Fine." Rosa slumped back down onto the crate, defeated. "Two million Kon it is. What's the trade deal about?"
"Our Corporations are willing to invest in the productivity of the State of Rosa in exchange for some of its profit." Kylia explained carefully. "We will set up businesses in Rosa, invest capital in some local infrastructure, create new high paying jobs, and increase productivity in exchange for money, sounds good right?"
Rosa considered the proposal carefully. "It sounds too good to be true," she said, suspicion lacing her voice. "What's the catch? What do you really want from us?"
"Well…For starters we will dominate your market. Kylia gestured vaguely. "Your Autonomy will definitely decrease in exchange for stability and development. However, compared to before where the Rosian market was being squeezed by ours, I think it is more conducive towards Rosian recovery. Without a trade deal to moderate the influx of Kylian goods, the Rosian economy will collapse under the might of ours."
"Do you accept the terms and conditions mentioned before?" Kylia warned.
Rosa fell silent, absorbing Kylia's words. She knew her sister spoke the truth, as bitter as it was. The Rosian economy, already struggling before the war, was now teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Yes," Rosa sighed resolutely. "The State of Rosa accepts the responsibility of compensating the Kingdom of Kylia for starting the Kylian-Rosian war."
Kylia nodded, her expression relaxed. "Good. Now, let us move on to current events. I haven't heard much from the other Valor States over the last couple of years, however it's clear that there's some sort of tension brewing in Hyrule, correct?"
"Correct indeed," Rosa responded with a hint of unease. "Sister Sovi had been reporting sightings of troop movements in the Akkala Province Citadel. Sightings show the Hylians are amassing military equipment and supplies for a potential long term campaign, enough to supply 4000 over a 2 year campaign."
"In response both Sovi and Viskov started stockpiling and fortifying their States in preparation of a possible invasion." Rosa continued. "To the south brother Pavo reported sightings of increased Hylian Naval exercises near the mouth of the Trench river. Without enough information on the number of Hylians, Pavo and Zeleny have refrained from stockpiling for now with Father and Mother there to provide additional support."
"It seems that the Hylians continue to act in unpredictable manners," Kylia mused, tapping her fingers on the table. "Our sources also indicate increased activity but the information is only circumstantial and indirect at most."
Rosa nodded, rising from her seat she walked towards the exit, then glanced back at Kylia and warned. "War is coming to the Hylian Continent, you must defeat the Coalition before Hylian preparations are complete. Stay safe out there."