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Chapter 713   The Fifth Imperial Council Meeting IV

In contrast, all Proximians had been awakeners from the outset, so their numbers remained constant.

Ross also addressed the decline in unsanctioned vigilantism. The numbers had consistently dropped as the empire took a firm stance against such activities. The government had made examples of those who attempted to engage in vigilante actions, reinforcing the rule of law and ensuring that such behavior was deterred effectively.

Councilor Ross then shifted to discussing the advancements made in the study and application of mana. He expressed his gratitude to the Empress and the tree folks, acknowledging their critical contributions to the research and discovery of new mana applications. Their insights and collaboration had been instrumental in the progress they achieved.

With that, Ross concluded his report, taking his seat as the fifteen-minute presentation came to an end.

As the reports from the remaining agencies concluded, attention turned to John, who was to deliver the final report. His was the most anticipated presentation, as it concerned the impending arrival of the Visitors—an event that had long been the focus of the empire\'s preparations and discussions.

John, clad in his distinguished military uniform, stood up, commanding attention with his presence. His uniform, more ornate than the usual suits worn by other council members, symbolized the gravity of his position and the information he was about to share. As the final report of the council meeting, his address was expected to carry significant weight.

The major ministries—the Ministry of Interior, Exterior, and War—typically did not present reports at every council meeting. Their updates were generally infrequent, with the Ministry of Exterior only reporting when new discoveries were made, such as the findings of the exploration fleet\'s findings in the previous year.

John\'s authoritative voice cut through the silence, commanding the attention of everyone present. “Thank you,” he began, his tone reflecting the gravitas of his position. “As this is my first time reporting at a council meeting, my report will be comprehensive, covering our activities since the foundation of the empire before detailing our preparations for the approaching Visitors.”

He continued, “Currently, the imperial military boasts a force of five hundred twenty-five million active personnel. All have completed their training, are fully equipped, and are ready for deployment in any situation that might demand imperial military intervention.”

John paused briefly, giving the audience a moment to process the significant number and its implications. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The revelation of a half-billion-strong military force was awe-inspiring and intimidating. The sheer scale of this number dwarfed the populations of most pre-empire countries, highlighting the colossal investment of resources into the military.

Of the trillions spent, a significant portion—around a quarter—was allocated to salaries and amenities for the troops. The empire ensured that military personnel were well-cared for, providing them with housing, free public transportation, and other benefits. This generous treatment was justified by their crucial role as the first line of defense against any potential threats to humanity and the empire. Their well-being and readiness were seen as essential to maintaining the security and stability of the empire.

John continued, his voice steady and commanding, “With the integration of the Proximians into our ranks, we’ve exceeded our initial projections for military expansion, achieving our decade-long target within just five years. This accomplishment not only fulfills the emperor\'s promise but surpasses it by more than double.

Regarding our armament capabilities, we are well-positioned to confront civilizations ranging from 0.15 to 0.75 on the Kardashev scale with confidence. This enables us to effectively engage and potentially overcome any civilization of this scale in a direct conflict. Additionally, we are equipped to sustain a prolonged engagement with civilizations rated between 1.0 and 1.5 on the Kardashev scale, which aligns with the expected level of the incoming visitors.

In terms of defensive strategies, we have the capacity to withstand an assault from a level 2 civilization, allowing us to buy critical time to develop targeted technological advancements to counter such forces.

For security purposes, the two star systems currently under our control have sufficient defensive forces to act as a buffer against any unforeseen threats from beyond our current understanding.

It is important to note that these assessments are based on simulations and theoretical models. The results reflect the minimum outcomes from these simulations, considering the limitations of our current knowledge. The actual effectiveness may vary depending on the technological capabilities of any adversaries we might encounter.” Once again he paused to allow the transition to be more smooth.

John then continued, seamlessly transitioning to the next point, “In preparation for the impending arrival of the visitors, we have conducted millions of simulations to devise potential methods for establishing communication with them. A small fleet of stealth ships has already been dispatched to the anticipated location of their arrival. These ships are tasked with initiating contact, in collaboration with the Ministry of Exterior, and gathering additional intelligence should the situation take a turn for the worse.

Furthermore, we have a fully equipped fleet on standby, ready to deploy should the worst-case scenario occur, such as an attack on our envoys. While this may seem like an extreme measure, the Ministry of War\'s role is to ensure that we are prepared for every possible outcome, including those beyond our immediate control.

We are confident that we are prepared for any scenario within the realm of our current projections and have also accounted for contingencies involving forces potentially exceeding our initial estimates of their capabilities. With these measures in place, we stand ready to address any challenges that may arise.

John concluded, “That is all I can disclose for now. We must also maintain a level of ambiguity in our information, as there is a risk that the visitors could potentially tap into our communications. Given that we have yet to gather substantial intelligence about them, it\'s prudent to keep certain details confidential. Thank you.”

John took a final breath and nodded towards the council, signaling the end of his report. He then resumed his seat, the podium retracting back into its original form as the chamber remained in a tense but focused silence.

Gaia promptly took over, guiding the council meeting towards its conclusion. She reviewed the key points discussed and asked if there were any questions or comments from the attendees before officially closing the meeting.