6 years… compared to the previous wars, this had been a particularly short one, but also more devastating. Though the causalities rates for each race didn't reach the numbers registered in the other wars, they were extremely high for such a short war. The implementation of new spells and new technology also caused major material losses in each race territory.
In the human territory, the "war-god nation" was one of the nations that came out worst after the war. Being the only nation bordering the elves and the dwarves' territories simultaneously, they suffered with the elves' magic and the dwarves' bombardments which overwhelmed their armies and led to the complete destruction of many fortified positions and cities.
To add to their precarious situation, they also lost a higher number of soldiers when compared to other nations, mostly because they had been forced to reinforce other frontlines besides their own given the fact that they were a nation that specialized in the creation and nurturing of formidable warriors.
After the war, the "nation of the god of stars" observed the weakened state of the "war-god nation" and saw an opportunity to expand its territory, not by conflict, of course, as they had just came out of an terrible war, and if they attacked an "allied nation" they would immediately face the wrath of the rest of the "human alliance".
No… conflict was off the table, instead they resorted to appeal to the rest of the human nations to be given territory bordering the elvish domain so that in the next great war they could "alleviate" the burden carried by the "war-god nation" of defending such a wide border, but of course, if they got the territory bordering the elves they would also need ownership of the lands between the "nation of the god of stars" and the mentioned territory to better mobilize and maneuver their troops.
This "request" for the good of "humankind" not only displeased the "war-god nation", but was also cause for discontent between the other 3 nations that had served has the frontline for the war, and saw the "request" for what it truly was, an attempt to take advantages from a weakened nation.
The "request" did not gather unanimous support and was not accepted in the end, but that didn't discourage the leadership from the "nation of the god of stars" from trying to submit their request under a different reasoning.
They argued that the death of their hero, who had died in a battlefield located in the "war-god nation", was due to the lack of protection offered by the "war-god nation" troops, given the fact that they were short-handed due to defending their large border.
Tough the argument didn't win the favor of the other nations, it ended up infuriating the leadership of the "war-god nation" who immediately demanded the statement to be retracted, or they would wage war.
The "nation of the god of stars" did not retract the statement and war was declared.
The other 2 "backline nations" thought of trying to intervene in order to stop the conflict, however they quickly understood that if they were to voice their opinions on the matter they would further antagonize the "frontline nations", that would see their attempt of trying to prevent a war as giving support to the "nation of the god of stars" request.
When the declaration of war reached the ears of the populace of the different nations, everyone started expecting one result – Total victory by the "nation of the god of stars".
After the great war the "War-god nation" had fewer troops, fewer provisions and fewer weapons and tools when compared to "nation of the god of stars" who stayed in the backline offering logistic support to the frontline. The result was clear, so when the "War-god nation" started looking for merchant companies outside their kingdom to provide them with provisions and weapons, no one took the job, being afraid of incurring losses after the inevitable defeat of the nation.
No one invested in the nation. Well, no one except for a certain merchant named Mike, and another one named Theresa. These two merchants poured all their money and efforts into providing the "war-god nation" with all their needs. They would buy provisions from the "frontlines nations" using their dissatisfaction with the attitude of the "backline nations" and the promise of revenge via the war waged by the "war-god nation" as a means of getting lower prices, they would sponsor expeditions to the battlefields to recover weapons and tools of war as an alternative to the much more expensive option of creating new weapons and tools and in this way they prepared the "war-god nation" for another war while also racking up a high number of I.O.U's with the leadership of the nation.
However, tough they were able to get the nation ready for war, there was still the problem related to the manpower. No one believe that the "war-god nation" would be able to capture the several heavily guarded cities of the "nation of the god of stars", and even if they succeed in their attack on one city, they would surely have racked up a high number of casualties making them incapable of holding the recent captured stronghold.
But to the surprise of everyone, the "war-god nation" armies steamrolled trough the "nation of the god of stars", reaching the capital of the nation and conquering it in just a few months. How were they able to do it? Canons.
The dwarves relied more on their tools and heavily fortified strongholds to wage war rather than in the individual strength of each dwarf in combat, so when their strongholds reached a certain level of deterioration caused by enemy attacks they would chose to retreat rather than reinforce the position with more soldiers, and when they retreat they would usually destroy the weapons they couldn't carry and booby-trap the place.
Due to this reason, it was incredibly difficult to acquire the weapons created by the dwarves, however sometimes some strongholds would be caught off guard by the aggressiveness of the human armies which led the "war-god nation" to acquire some of the dwarves' weapons. This matter, tough, was kept hidden from the other nations, the so-called canons were to be secretly moved to the capital and kept there as a sort of trump card should some kind of conflict start after the end of the great war.
The defeat of the "nation of the god of stars" should have meant the annexation of some territories by the "war-god nation" however such an action was quickly prohibited by the other nations who feared that the already large nation would become too big of a force to be contested with. Instead, it was decided that the "nation of the god of stars" would be obliged to help in the reconstruction of the "war-god nation", contributing a major part of their kingdom treasury to the task assigned.
Tough they had expected to gain more from the war, the people of the "war-god nation" were content to gain help from another nation to rebuild their kingdom, but undoubtedly the people that had been more satisfied by this turn of events had been Mike and Theresa.
After the end of the conflict both started making use of their I.O.U's to acquire the rights to mine and explore several mines belonging to the nation and ended up creating businesses that revolved around the supply of different types of ore to the kingdom.
Later, tough, Mike and Theresa decided to modify their business to specialize in the production and supply of arms to the "war-god nation", both moved to the kingdom in question accompanied by a high number of blacksmith and other craftsman to establish a base of operations.
In "war-god nation" territory Mike and Theresa would meet each other and start a business rivalry that somehow ended with them falling in love with each other leading to the merging of both their guilds and the creation of the most prominent weapon-specialized merchant guild in the kingdom.
A Year after their marriage, Mike and Theresa had their first-born who would in the future marry the first daughter of Mike's best friend – Michael.
Joseph: "And that was how our current family was created." Said a 7-year-old Joseph after finishing retelling the history of his family to the group of people that were present in the room sitting comfortably in armchairs and couches.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Well, you got the story right, but you should really polish your knowledge on some of the details, mainly the details pertaining to the acquisition of our rights to mining and exploration of mines in the "war-god nation". Although the leadership of the nation owned a debt to your grandfather Mike, that was not reason enough for them to forsake some of their properties, to a successful foreign merchant on top of that. You have got to review the details of the deal that was made and how the influence your grandfather Michael had, helped in the establishment of the first "Steel&Iron" base of operations. You should also---
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): God dammit bookworm! The kid got the gist of it, is that not enough. Just accept his explanation, be happy for his progress and let him step out of the library for a few days.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): I just want him to understand what Sir. Michael and my father had to go through to establish our presence in the country. You know the Meiner family was never well received in the "war-god nation", to most nobles we are still just foreigners trying to usurp their territories, and things only got worse when I married Anne. Joseph's needs to be able to understand the delicate position he is in and defend his ground against other noble children.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Look, son, I understand your point, but Joseph will only make his social debut on his twelfth anniversary. You still have more five years to educate him on this matters, you really shouldn't keep him locked up in the library all the time, besides our deals with the "war-god nation" that time were complex, even now I got a headache thinking about it, can a 7 year-old kid really understand the intricacies of dealing with the royalty and the other nobles?
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Please father, you know he can. Joseph has proved time and time again to be able to grasp solutions to complex problems for his age, I just want to help him make the most of his intellect. With our resources, I can turn him into someone big, bigger than the nobles and their protests, important enough to secure our position as a vital part of this country economic system and smart enough to outsmart those who wish us harm and protect our family.
After this statement Jeremy looked around the room at each person present and finally rested his gaze on his wife, locking eyes with her.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): You understand me, right Anne? You also see the potential that Joseph has…
Anne (Joseph's Mother): I do, and I am also of the opinion that Joseph can spend his afternoons in the library studying under you…
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Thank you Anne, you don't know what it means to—
Anne (Joseph's Mother): If he so desires.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): …
Anne (Joseph's Mother): Sorry dear, I understand you but that doesn't mean I can accept the fact that you might be keeping Joseph studying in the library against his own will.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): "sigh" Joseph, what do you have to say about this matter? Am I really putting too much work onto you?
Hearing the question his father had asked, Joseph locked eyes with him and gave his opinion.
Joseph: If you are asking for my opinion father, then I must say that it would be nice to take a break every now and then. Don't get me wrong, I actually have fun sitting down with you, hearing your lessons while being surrounded by rows of books, but… It can get pretty monotone sometimes… Sorry father…
Listening to his son, Jeremy raised his hand to stop Joseph from continuing speaking and said:
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Don't be. I realize now that I might have been a little too eager to progress your education.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): "sigh" Alright you get a break; you have earned it.
"YESSSS", was the shout that permeated through the room after Jeremy's declaration, and surprisingly it didn't come from Joseph.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): FINALLY! The kid gets a break from all the books and has enough time to pick up the sword again.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): Joseph, go rest. I will pick you up in the afternoon for sword practice. I can still make a REAL man out of you.
Joseph: On another note, I think I would rather stay locked up in the library with you dad. Vacations and breaks are overrated after all.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): WHAT?!
Kris (Joseph's Uncle): You messed up old man. Should have stayed silent and ambushed him later in his room.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): Damn it!
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): "sigh" Good plan though, Kris! I will follow it next time.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): God, between Mike's two sons, why did my daughter had to marry the boring one…
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): "sigh" I am still in the room Sir. Michael.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): I know, I meant for you to hear it.
Beth (Joseph's Maternal Grandmother): MICHAEL!!!
Anne (Joseph's Mother): DAD!!!
Joseph: Can I go back to the library now?
Upon the delivery of this question, the argument that was about to start between Michael and Beth ended up dying down.
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Yes, you may return to the library Joseph, I will be you shortly,
Joseph: Thank you.
After-chapter occurrence:
While moving to exit the room Joseph suddenly remembered a question he wanted to pose to his family, more particularly to his paternal grandfather, so he halted his steps and turned to face his family once again.
His father, noticing Joseph's movements, asked:
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): What's wrong? Forgot something?
Joseph: Yes, actually. I forgot to ask a question to grandfather Mike.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Me? I mean… Sure, go ahead.
Joseph: How do you sweet-talk a horse?
Instantly, silence descended upon the room. Mike looked at Joseph with a deadpan expression.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Really? Of everything you could have asked or said, you chose to pose a question regarding my ability to sweet-talk a horse when I was sleep deprived for 3 entire days?!
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): We don't know that! According to your account you only started talking to your horse after the 4th day started but as far as we know, you had probably begun making advances on the horse when the journey started.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Right. First thing, I DID NOT MAKE ADVANCES ON MY HORSE and second thing I ONLY REALLY STARTED TALKING WITH IT AFTER THE AUDITORY ALUCINATIONS STARTED TO KICKED IN.
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): I call Bulls**t on those claims until further proof has been submitted.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): YOU---
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): Father, stop please…
Jeremy (Joseph's Father): "sigh" Joseph do you really have a question?
Joseph: Yes father. I am sorry, I just wanted to mess with grandfather Mike…
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): And good on you for that boy.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): D**k.
A punch came from Mike's side hitting him square in the arm.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Ouch.
Theresa (Joseph's Paternal Grandmother): Language Mike.
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Sorry.
Joseph: My real question is: Grandfather Mike, how did you know to invest in the "war-god nation" when you had no assurance in regard to their victory?
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): Oh! That's an easy question - I told him about the canons.
Everyone in room, except for Mike, slowly blinked and fixed their eyes on Michael.
Beth (Joseph's Maternal Grandmother): YOU DID WHAT?!
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING AT ME FOR?!
Beth (Joseph's Maternal Grandmother): THE CANONS WERE A STATE SECRET! WHY WOULD YOU SHARE A STATE SECRET WITH AN OUTSIDER!
Michael (Joseph's Maternal Grandfather): I TOUGHT WITH WOULD MAKE A GOOD CONVERSATION TOPIC! GET OFF MY BACK!
Michael and Beth started once again bickering with each other while ignoring the rest of the people in the room.
Theresa (Joseph's Paternal Grandmother): So that's what happened…
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): What? You thought I would invest most of my fortune without some form of assurance?
Theresa (Joseph's Paternal Grandmother): Honestly… Yes. Given the blind faith you had on your luck at the time…
Mike (Joseph's Paternal Grandfather): Hm… That's Fair.