No Way Out part 1

 

Across the Sphene Continent, there were countless Fortress Areas and Defense Domes that had never made their allegiance clear.

The Stones’ invasion had been so fierce that, even after key strongholds like A001 Fortress Area and A051 Fortress Area had fallen, there were still quite a few who continued to resist.

The Sphene Liberation Army, formed by Joseph, raided neutral zones and, if they failed to bring them under their banner, looted them and withdrew.

Once a settlement finally broke and submitted, tax obligations followed.

But even if they resisted, the Liberation Army came anyway—raiding them in a slow, tormenting campaign.

「Damn it. Those bastards are closing in again… Wasn’t there supposed to be a military parade at A001 Fortress Area today!?」

Behind the spectacle of that military parade, the Sphene Liberation Army had been carrying out looting operations.

「Those