Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

In the far-northern city of Brest, the aurora borealis still shrouds the silent, cold city. The radio no longer broadcasts melodious classical music, but rather urgent telegrams from a southern border outpost.

"Your Grace, the armored forces of the First Army are approaching our lines, demanding that we all lay down our arms, surrender, and be subject to a court-martial. What should we do?"

“Tell their commander that only His Majesty’s decree can order my surrender,” Duchess Eliza replied in a deep voice, her tone and attitude far colder and harder than the steel outpost standing in the cold wind.

"Understood! I will obey your orders." The officer on the other end of the radio answered without hesitation. Obeying orders is a soldier's duty, and even when facing an army group several times larger than their own, they cannot back down.

After all, the crimes they committed were not serious; they were all acting under orders. Even if they were investigated by a military court, the final punishment might not be as severe as disobeying orders and surrendering.

"Your Grace, their commander says this is His Majesty's order. The written investigation order will be delivered to you soon..." The voice on the other end of the radio was somewhat noisy. Perhaps this news had caused quite a commotion at the outpost.

"Alright, I understand. Cooperate with the military court's investigation and do not attempt to resist." After issuing this final order, Grand Duchess Yelisa casually turned off the radio and calmly sat on the sofa to await the envoy from Saint-Germain.

"Hiss! Hiss! Hiss..." A chilling breathing sound echoed in the dark corner of the room, black snowflakes appeared out of thin air, and the roaring flames in the fireplace were extinguished due to the rapidly decreasing temperature.

The most terrifying beings, inhuman monsters, the emperor's blade, the movers of the land... There are many legends about the Imperial Guard, but they all have one thing in common—that indescribable sense of fear.

"Grand Duchess Yelisa, His Majesty commands you to attend the court hearing at Saint-Germain Castle. Please depart as soon as possible." A completely emotionless electronic voice emanated from the inner guard's speech apparatus, its fluency suggesting it had been pre-recorded.

"As Your Majesty commands." Grand Duchess Yelisa nodded slightly, accepting the outcome with equanimity.

"..." After receiving the Grand Duchess's affirmative reply, the guard teleported away from the room without lingering, and the abnormally low temperature and suffocating fear suddenly disappeared.

"Hoo..." The Grand Duchess exhaled heavily, letting out the air that had been trapped in her chest. She looked down at the letter that appeared before her, the envelope bearing the seal of the Ursus Emperor.

“My friend, Marshal Yevgeny. His Majesty has decided to deal with us ruthlessly. How will you and your allies respond?” Grand Duchess Eliza put away the letter, rose, and left the room.

Before heading to Saint-Germain Castle, she had to have enough backup plans to ensure her safe return.

......

"After restarting some previously closed mines in Kitahara, the Third Army turned its attention to the central region."

"The Fourth Army is still illegally staying on the border of the Central District. We hereby warn the public not to cross the outposts and go to the Neva Lake area without authorization."

"The First Army bypassed the Imperial Diet and carried out punitive and forced conscription of dozens of universities in the central region, and student protests in support of the army were bloodily suppressed in many parts of the country."

"The Second and Seventh Army Groups have been mobilized and deployed to Saint-Germain at the request of the authorities..."

As more news emerged from the escaped miners in the far north, newspapers in St. Jungle were filled with anxiety-inducing reports. The worker-student protests intensified, and the crackdown became increasingly brutal and violent.

The lower levels of Ursus are like a boiling pressure cooker; the more it is suppressed and blocked, the greater the final explosive force. No one can extinguish it until the flames burn away all decay and oppression.