Anthony called in additional men of 200 of his infantry to the city.

The troops mingled with the inhabitants in the city of Ken with many of the single soldiers and marines going to brothel to relieve some stress as well as to the Halflings. Thorn (which very few Marines have laid with them) and Ansur if they can charm with them, anything rape related will have severe punishment.

They were some close fights when some citizen mistaken the black troops as dark elves and the dark elves as their former enemy. Thankfully and luckily it was quickly stopped before it escalates. As even the knights were ready to throw hands just to help their comrades since they are on the same side, insulting an UNE trooper is an insult to all allied forces.

Jackson awoken from his sleep and after stretching he exited from his room as he was in the Inn that which a few of the officers stayed thanks to the coins that the Halflings, Thorn, Ansur women giving them to use. As well as the loot from the dead Black Dogs since the dead didn't need them.

There he would meet Grace Cambel, the owner of this Inn. He and her have made fast friends with this particular Dark Elf who lives alone in this City and how miraculous she is not being persecuted by it's people.

The JEF greeted her warmly since they're foreigners and she's not an enemy so they will treat her as such.

"Hello there, Towson. I hope that you slept well?" Said Grace with a smile addressing Jackson by his last name.

"Yeah, I did. And call me by my first name or Jack." Jackson said as he put on his uniform.

"Okay, Jack. Also, did you promise me about your nation right?" Said Grace.

"Of course..." Jackson said with a sad smile. At least it was a fair trade after she told him about her story. About how she got here and stayed despite the possibility of her getting discrimination or worse... killed.

The reason she even stayed here is due to falling in love with a human which they brought this Inn, and ever since his death she stayed here keeping the business afloat and at least earned some friendship in the city.

"It would be a long story though," he said before he began to tell his story of his father's country's (United States) past that he learned from both school, books, museums, and from YouTube. And also about himself and how before his enlistment in the USMC. He lives at an estate and knew how to defend in combat both firearms and swords, then how he explains the US's dark past... African-Americans being discriminated because of the color of their skin.

It was an interesting conversation, especially since he was the first person to not treat her differently for being a dark elf. He wasn't lying, she can tell. So she felt happy and grateful for his kindness.

He even told her how after the year 2026 that most of the country was free of discrimination as after the president at the time was removed from office by force along with most of his administration. Hell there was even a time where his father along with a whole company of Marines executed several white supremacists to make a point across the country as his former commanding officer at the time called them no better than the Nazis that they fought in WW2.

That which by killing them they consider them to be traitorous fascists that they are fighting and make them enforced to be more united as they share only one enemy. Anything of racism won't be considered an American and should be killed as traitors to the country and the ideals of the Founding Fathers and Union who fought for freedom.

"You country has gone through much," Grace said with a sad smile.

She was able to understand the US's hatred of slavery. She had a similar experience back then and would rather not relive those days.

Jackson nodded. "Yeah. It's a long road, but we're getting there. It's the same reason why we're helping Ken and others. You and your people don't deserve any of this shit. And hopefully when we win this war, your people can come to our country and live free without anyone fucking with you."

Grace chuckled. "I'm sure my people will love your country."

Jackson smirked. "It's not perfect, but it's the best there is."

Later~

White Citadel, War council room

Anthony, David, Aleksandr, Gorri, Ven'di, Sir Elion, and Henderson arrived at the War council where they will meet with the Shield Princesses and other generals of the Shield Alliance.

"If you haven't known us as of yet, I'm Lt. General Anthony S. Towson, commander of the Joint Expeditionary Force or JEF for short, with me are my subordinates and comrades are CW5 David S. Fernandes, Major Ven'di, Lt. Aleksandr Kravchuk, Scout Officer Gorri Thornlash, Sir Elion Brix, and 1st Lt. Henderson." Anthony said.

"Now let us begin our meeting shall we," Said Claudia with a nod as she stood beside with Celestine ready to protect her from any danger.

"Since you've summoned us, Celeste I'll cut to the chase here." Anthony said addressing Celestine with her name shorten which did anger a few in the room. "I have one major condition which I hope is reasonable enough." He continued.

"And what would be that condition General?" Said Celestine as she looked at Anthony.

"The JEF won't be under the command by anyone, only we (Brass, himself, and David) can command our force." Said Anthony, after a lengthy explanation by Luu-luu during his stay she had warned him about the Western Eostian that might try to enforce their authority towards them as if they were worthy and not to mention none of them are worth to be obey.

Only Celestine and Claudia are the decent ones and Claudia of Geofu who can properly command an army without the arrogance. Yet, she still needs to learn of how to be dirty fighter as she was honorable to a fault, but still has a good honest heart.

"My Lady absolutely not!" Said an Old Man as he step forward, "If they are not to be under our command, who knows what they would do to our kingdoms!" He said.

Claudia's eyes widen at the old man, "Father!" She called out to her Father-in-law, "This is not the time to argue." She in a stern tone.

"I'm with Grave here." Said Alicia as she too step forward.

"Фігури. {Figures.}" Aleksandr said in Ukrainian.

"These Barbarians should not be allowed without supervising them, who knows that they may betray us later on!" Alicia shouted.

The JEF snorted at that.

Alicia glared at them, "How dare you think that you won't be under our Authority!" She said in anger.

"The same way we won't allow ourselves to be commanded by an entitled bitch like yourself." Said David

Alicia looked ready to pop a blood vessel.

"And why would that be?" Said Grave with a scoff.

"Our methods of conducting war are too different and considering Princess Alicia have witness it first hand, you will know that our ways are not the same as much you do to yours." Said Ven'di as he looked at the Alliance General with suspicion.

"Your cowardly way you mean?" Said Alicia crossing her arms.

"Says the blond haired cunt who attacks head on and waste lives." David said with the irony alright, he has seen incompetence before, but the girl here makes the most incompetent inexperience of their officers look competent. Probably even politicians during the 2020s.

"It was a success!"

"Said 'Success' losing 95% of your troops and couldn't even stop a counter offensive?"

"How was I suppose to know that there would be another attack!" Alicia said as she gritted her teeth.

"Did you even send scouts?" Said Henderson.

"No."

Then there was silence as everyone looked at each other. Even Claudia looked on in Horror while Grave face palmed.

Anthony and David drank from their flasks of whiskey to numb the headache.

"Did just say you didn't send in scouts? Any particular damn reason why Little Bitch Princess?" Said Anthony and his last words was a form of mockery to her title.

"Why need scouts when you already know what they are gonna do? That's been written by the book." Alicia said with a scoff and in a matter of factly tone.

The men's eyes twitch. With Sir Elion pinching the bridge of his nose.

"And by the book, likely states about scouting of what your enemies are doing... you just proved yourself to be even more incompetent than I fucking thought. Like damn girl, even a noive knight will have twice the braincells you got in your empty head." Anthony said in a mocking tone.

Most of the JEF along with Maia and Luu-luu laughed at that burn. While Kaguya shook her head before fake coughing.

Claudia also faked coughed.

Alicia who was just burned by a fifty something old man... finally lost her shit. "HOW DARE YOU!!! I'LL BEHEAD YOU FOR THAT INSULT!!!" Alicia yelled as she was about to draw her sword.

"Alicia, ENOUGH!!" Claudia said to Alicia knowing she will either die by Anthony or the rest of the JEF.

"But Claudia, he's calling me incompetent!" Alicia complained.

"¡Sí, porque es verdad! {Yeah, because it's true!}" Ven'di said in Spanish.

"We'll discuss this later on, Alicia." Claudia said in a stern firm tone indicating of her disappointed tone to her former prodigy as she shakes her head thinking of where she gotten wrong.

Claudia then looked to the gathered people, "They are right of their point. They have a different method kind of warfare. If we command them it'll hamper their full potential, only through cooperation that we can use it to full effect of where they can't go we may do it ourselves."

"Daughter you can't possibl—"

"Father, you're a military general, should know this better than you should. You yourself have done unconventional means of methods before, this should be not different." Claudia said trying to plead with Grave despite their ever growing of tension as the way he treated his son.

Her husband is getting worse as he can't be able to make her pregnant which Claudia begun to think to herself as barren and at one time even suggested to her husband that they should divorce and find a new wife where he maybe able to succeed. That which may make his father happy at least but no... he very much love her and could not fathom to divorce her.

"This is different..." Grave said with a scoff.

"I have a question now that you mention it. Why none of you sent help to the people of Rad when they needed you?" Henry who was in the room said with a raised hand.

"That's right, my people and the city have been besiege by the damn Black Dogs about a month ago! We requested help and sent a message here yet there was no reply and yet we found no notice and or even a note saying 'Sorry we can't help you, you're on your own.' Was that hard to fucking write?!" Luu-luu said in anger.

Hell, she even sent to Ansur which they could not help as they too was having to repel some invasion in their land and Ken and Geufo are the option yet... nothing, nothing of reply to her which made her suspicion.

Claudia narrowed her eyes at that new info as she looked at her Father-in-law as he was too busy guarding Celestine. "Father? Rad is half day's ride, why didn't we have such notice?" She said as she begun to feel suspicion that which she tried to deny herself.

"We were busy..." Was Grave's reason.

"Hmmm... busy? That's a lousy excuse to find any more believable." Gorri said with a yawn.

Grave gritted his teeth, "Yes, the halflings are strong on their own right. They can deal with this themselves."

That made Luu-luu angry at that insult before she would attack him, Anthony raise his hand stopping her. "Oh you sure? Last time I checked, the City of Rad is the armoury of the Alliance. Which of course is a strategic location as they have all the high qualities of gear that your soldiers and knights needed... yet for a general like yourself to disregard helping such a HIGH VALUE city? It was either you are smooth brain stupid or perhaps... a goddamn traitor to Ken." Anthony said with a smirk.

Grave looked abash to that before pulling out his sword. That which made all the JEF guards to point their guns and swords at him as well as the officers with their pistols, shotguns, and SMGs.

Though, Anthony was looking calm at that with even a hand on his chin.

"You dare question my competents and HONOR!!" Said Grave, "I'll behead you for that you dark skin barbarian!" He said in anger.

"Could've just barbarian." Anthony muttered while taking a drink from his flask, "And I'm not questioning it you Senior Citizen, I'm denying it's existence." He as he doesn't like how Grave's attitude towards their allies. "But yes, I do. If the Black Dogs looted Rad welp, you and your forces will face disadvantages when they come knocking at Ken, General."

"Father ENOUGH!!" Claudia shouted at Grave.

"Claudia he's questioning my honor!" Said Grave.

'What honor?' The JEF thought at the same time.

"Father, this is a troubling news. You face defeat after defeat with only little victory, it isn't like you..." Said Claudia in worried voice.

"Another reason is why none of your forces come with the Black Dogs? Even to monitor them?" David said.

Maia snorted at that, "Due to petty reasons like they can't handle the smell, the noise, the rudeness, and every petty thing I could list." She said with a sneer towards Alicia, "I would've joined but couldn't due to that I have to look after my city and I believe we won't be cooperating enough." 

"Me too, but those lousy arrogant knights think they own the world and so I won't be letting my army be commanded by a stupid bitch ass like that brat." Luu-luu surprising the few Americans in the room with that last line. Where she learned that?

"Who're you calling a BRAT?!" Shouted Alicia as she looked at Luu-luu.

"Pot, meet kettle." Henry muttered.

"The brat who can't even know how to follow the basics in the book that's who." Said Luu-luu as she stick her tongue out at Alicia.

Celestine was looking at this unfold made her think more things of the benefits of such an alliance, and the Shield Alliance is crumbling in her very eyes. Something that not had happened for the past thousand years and her dreams of defeat was true until the Arrival of the JEF changed everything. 

Before Alicia could explode again, a Radioman burst forth interrupting the meeting. "Sir, recon drones and satellites spotted a large Black Dog army approaching the city." Said the Radioman, "Three Mikes (miles) away from the city Northwestern, possible number of twenty thousand, sir."

"What?!" Shouted the Shield Alliance in shock that another Black Dogs attack arrived here again.

"Gather the troops, we'll meet them outside." Grave said as he was about to go until Anthony stopped him with the blade of his Ka-Bar to his neck. This surprised everyone but the JEF as they thought that due to his age he won't be quick. Yet they saw how quick he pulled a knife like he's still in his prime.

"How about a small demonstration of our Air Force power, won't you agree?" Anthony said as he looked at Celestine.

"This is not th—" Grave was silent by Celestine as she raised her hand.

Celestine sighed, "You have my permission... Anthony" She said knowingly of how destructive their weapons are due to the visions and addressing Anthony by his first name.

Anthony nodded and turn to the Radioman, "Tell the bomber (B-21 Raider stealth bomber) above the location and to also drop Willy Pete and Naplem." He ordered as he got up and put away his knife. "Come on people, wouldn't want to miss the fireworks~" He sang to the others.

It was then Anthony thought of something then looked at Celestine, "Got anything magic to witness our demonstration, Celestine?" He asked.

Celestine nodded and she made a crystal ball that shows outside.

While the JEF forces in the reserves along in the city also prepared to move out as they begun to mount on their vehicles, but not all of them as some left to guard their base camp and parts of the city.

With it not long after of few minutes they heard whistling and then massive explosions that made everyone except the JEF to cover their ears and hold on to something as the ground shook.

Then a minute pass as another explosion was occurred. With it, they also heard the engines of the vehicles in the city moving out to kill any stragglers or mercy killing the ones burning.

Looking at the Ball, everyone's eyes widen at such devastation in a short span of time. Looking at the burn remains of limbs and organs are scattered, and most rolling around on fire with some even doing actions to put out the white fire on their bodies but it won't come off. And not only that, the JEF began to kill the stragglers without mercy and mercy kill those who are still burning.

After recovering of their shock, Alicia then approached Anthony whom looked at her with indifference and at the moment he looked her in the eyes, she would tarnish their relation with the Trinidadian-American Marine.

"I DEMAND YOU TO DISMANTLE EVERYTHING AT ONCE!!!" She shouted in his face while standing on a chair to either match his 6'5" height or to seem taller.

"Oh, really?" Said Anthony, "You demand me? And who are you to command me, princess cunt?" He said, addressing her of her title with a hint of mockery. "Last I checked, you're not my Queen, not my President, not a member of my government, and certainly not my God. You have no authority over me." Anthony said in a condescending tone. He has no patience to deal with a brat like her. And her attitude towards him and the others is not only childish, but it is also racist and discriminatory. And the last person he has to tolerate her shit was his best friend during his time as a PFC, who died due to the same attitude she has. Not the same type, but it was the same shit. So, Anthony will be damned to see her have the same ending.

Even if it meant if he had to punch her skull hard enough for her braincells to wake up. And with a good look at her, she's young. Very young and inexperienced and her attitude is due to her sheltered life of nobility and probably a spoiled brat. So, he had no choice but to toughen her up.

The room held its breath.

Anthony stepped forward and put a single, brutal fist into Alicia's gut.

The sound was small—a whuff of air and a chair leg skidding. Alicia folded around the blow and went to her knees, hands on the floor, mouth working like a fish. Every knight's hand hit a hilt; every JEF finger hit a trigger. Celestine raised both palms; Claudia didn't move at all—just watched her former student fight for breath and didn't run to her.

Anthony didn't advance. He didn't gloat. He just waited until Alicia dragged in a ragged breath and looked up, eyes wet with rage and humiliation.

"Lesson one," he said, calm as a classroom. "You listen when people who know how not to die are talking. Lesson two: you earn a voice by keeping other people alive. Lesson three: you will get soldiers killed if you keep playing queen in a gunfight."

He lifted his left hand; the fourth finger glinted bare of band but scarred where a ring lived. "And before any of you try to bargain with skin again—I'm married. To nine women. I'm not for sale. Neither is my war."

He looked to Celestine and Claudia. "You want this city to live? You let us do what we do. You fix logistics, armor, and command. We'll fix the enemy."

Celestine swallowed hard, nodded once. Claudia bowed her head, jaw tight.

"Good," Anthony said. He turned to the crystal, where the last pools of fire guttered and the last screams faded into the rumble of engines and the steady punctuation of mercy shots. "Because class just started."