The German community was one of the newest communities to be founded prior to the mock tournament. However, they saw a meteoric rise in power ever since they were formed. Even Sun Tzu and his close retainers made a special exception and paid them a visit in haste before returning to the Chinese community. Much to their surprise, the Germans had blueprints advanced enough to be nearly comparable to the other major powers despite being so new. What Sun Tzu ended up deciding on was to include the Germans in the mock tournament while rescinding his offer to the Prussian community.

Of course, such a split decision by an influential man like Sun Tzu was bound to leak into the other communities through various spy networks. This entire fiasco ended up with many of the other communities labeling the German community as the dark horse of the tournament. Many of the communities who did not receive invitations to compete were surprised since they had been around longer, and all of a sudden, this new community popped up and immediately got recognized as powerful.

Whilst the other communities were in an uproar because of Sun Tzu’s decision, the inside of the community was in a much bigger commotion. This was due to the leaders of the Prussian community challenging the leaders of the German community to a winner takes all simulation. The prize was the leadership of an entire community as well as its previous leaders. Such high stakes were not uncommon with smaller communities, but never one of this scale.

Frederick the Great, who was the Overlord of the Prussian community, had issued this challenge for a few reasons. The first and biggest being that the decline in strategists coming into the Prussian community was dropping exponentially. After a few interrogations of the newer members, it turned out that the once-great Prussian empire had dissolved and in its place stood Germany.

Secondly, Frederick believed that if he was able to absorb the German community, his community would be able to flourish even more than when it was at its peak. Lastly, if he could successfully do that, then Sun Tzu would have to give the Prussians the invitation once more.

He was caught somewhat off guard when the Germans actually accepted such a high-stakes bet. However, what surprised him more was that he and the best the Prussians had to offer were defeated with little difficulty by the Germans. This turn of events had completely shattered his belief in Prussian superiority. Everything that he and his inner circle had worked so hard to accomplish on this planet came crashing down in an instant.

The final insult was that the Germans did not seem too concerned about whether the Prussians were absorbed into the German community. To say the least, it was a humbling and heartbreaking moment. The 3 German leaders decided to leave the decision of uniting up to Frederick since they did not feel that it was best for their strategists to have vengeance against the German community as a whole.

In the end, Frederick decided to join up with the Germans, but he did not force anyone else on his side to do the same. He understood that the Prussian community was already halfway in its grave at this point. It took a reality check of this magnitude to realize the truth. In time, the majority of the Prussian strategists decided to assimilate. Those who held out in the Prussian community slowly dwindled into nothingness.

After Frederick’s decision to merge with the Germans, he sought an audience with the Konigreich faction, the reigning faction. He was accepted, but his close retainers were not granted entry. Though he was reluctant to go alone, he had to in order to see where he would end up in the future. The meeting between him and the Konigreich faction was one for the history books. Arriving at one of their faction buildings, Frederick was quickly ushered into a grand room full of the best of the Konigreich faction.

“Ah, Frederick the Great, come, have a seat.” A bold and confident voice rang out, it was that of Erich Von Manstein. He was the overall planner for the German community.

“Don’t worry, we’re here to talk not to fight,” Erwin Rommel, one of the 3 leaders of the German community, said in an inviting manner.

“Right, we are quite glad you have decided to join up with us,” Herman Gohring, one of the 3 leaders as well as the best aerial strategist in the Konigreich, added.

“We had much confidence that you would make this choice, it’s a good thing you proved us right,” Erich Raeder said.

“Good to finally meet you in a non-hostile environment,” Frederick responded back while also taking a seat beside Gebhard von Blucher and Eberhard von Mackensen. Both of whom were also high-ranking German strategists. After conversing in small talk for a little while, Frederick finally decided to get to the meat of his visit. “What do you plan on doing with me and my trusted allies?”

Everybody turned their head towards Erich von Manstein. Naturally, Frederick could only follow their example and look to Manstein for answers.

“Before I give up all of my secrets, Frederick, you’ll have to answer a few of my questions.”

“Not a problem, what do you want to know?”

“I need to ascertain whether or not you actually want to be part of this community.”

“Well, I do, you have my word.”

“I do not doubt the words of a King, but I will still have to ask you one simple question.”

“What would that be?”

“Why did you decide to join our community? Please be specific, and choose your words carefully.”

“It’s pretty simple. My beloved Prussians have limited potential now that our counterpart on Earth is gone. There were only ever two choices for a community at that point. Join another community, or watch as your nation crumble before your eyes. I don’t think I can watch such a scene.”

“Acceptable answer. Now, tell me, who is the strongest in your community.”

“The strongest would be me. My close retainers are the next strongest. Eugene of Savoy, Friedrich Wilhelm, and Helmuth von Moltke.”

“Ah yes I remember those fellows. They were the ones that launched an all-out offensive during the last legs of our grand simulation together, correct?”

“Yes, that would be them.”

“I don’t know if you realize, but they were quite close in succeeding. However, they were beaten back in the end and decimated. Have they followed you here to our community?”

“Yes, I was planning on bringing them here to this meeting, but you wouldn’t have any of that.”

“Frederick, allow me to reveal what our plans are. Anyone and everyone from Prussia that joins us will be put under your faction.”

“You don’t want me to join your faction?”

“No, we want you and everyone from Prussia to be one of Konigreich’s branch factions.”

“I don’t have much of a say do I?”

“No, you were the one that proposed the bet and lost remember?”

“Fine, anything else? What about the mock tournament.”

“All 100 spots will be determined by me, Gohring, Rommel, and Raeder. We will allow you to have a few spots, but don’t expect too many. We plan on showing just how powerful we are in this tournament. If we are able to place in the top 5, then we will have been successful in showing our superior German might.”

“Although I am not born of German blood, I will help you any way I can. As long as you treat my Prussian brothers well, I will not complain.” Frederick announced.

“Glad to have you aboard, Frederick. However, you and your brothers will need to go through military training using our blueprints. Your strategic prowess is not in the least bit lacking. Your working knowledge of modern warfare is a bit too lacking.”

“Yes, we were utterly unable to match up to your metal machines that can glide through the air, traverse plains quickly, and go through water like a fish. In that arena, we are seriously behind.”

“Acknowledging your faults is just the first step. Luckily, the three leaders of our group are masters of the land, air, and naval warfare. They have agreed to design a program for you Prussians to become modernized in as short of a timeframe as possible.”

“Will they be training us directly?”

“No, no. Their underlings will be responsible for that. Rommel, Gohring, and Raeder also have their own training to undergo before we enter the mock tournament.” Erich von Manstein declared.

“That’s a bummer. Although I suppose what you have set up is already considered a blessing. Say, it is almost certain that Jordsand will be the ones to take first place. Who do you think will manage second?”

The top officers of the Konigreich looked at each other and hesitated before saying anything. In the end, Erich von Manstein spoke.

“Everyone, the rest of this conversation will not be informative for you, you may as well go complete your other work,” Manstein announced as the others got up to leave. Now, it was only Frederick and Erich Von Manstein that remained in the room. “Going by the reports from our new strategists, it will be the United States of America. Less likely will be us Germans, the Russians, or maybe the Japanese.”

“I did not see the Japanese as one of the nations listed as a participant competing in the mock tournament.”

“That is because we have been told by Sun Tzu that the Jordsand community will likely not be participating. Ergo, the Japanese will be taking their place. That’s the plan at least.”

“I am not too familiar with these Eastern powers, just how powerful are they?” Frederick wanted more information, something else he was lacking in at the moment.

“Mongolians, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese. Their strategists are numerous and powerful, perks of being a nation that has survived for such a long time. However, their blueprints are not quite on our western level just yet. The Japanese could be considered to be the best among them, but with the advancement in technology I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to surpass us in a matter of decades.”

“What about the Chinese, aren’t they powerful still?”

“They have a solid set of strategists at their base. The only thing is they were late in adopting modern warfare weaponry and techniques. Unless the new blood they received is exceptionally well versed in warfare, then they have a rude awakening ahead of them.”

“How advanced are their blueprints? Compared to everything I have seen, not great. That is why Sun Tzu traveled for centuries to secure worthwhile weapons of war. I don’t know the specifics, but their economy will receive a big boom during the mock tournament. During that time is when they will attempt to rearm themselves up to standards.”

“How many people do you think will enter the Chinese tournament during this time?”

“Tens of millions, at the very least. This mock tournament is already being heralded as the second biggest event on this planet. If all goes well, then it might just well become a tradition. Only the Deathmatch tournament can compare and exceed it.”

“What about the United States, you said that they were the ones most likely to win?”

“The United States is...in an interesting position. They likely have the most technologically advanced weapons and machines of war. The thing is, they are lacking in high-quality strategists. On Earth, their nation isn’t that much older than the country of Germany.”

“Yet they are still the most likely to win?”

“Strategic prowess will only get you so far. An advanced arsenal in the hands of a decently capable general will be able to outmatch even the best if the gap is big enough. Take our simulation with you for example. I won’t claim that we are better strategists than you, but we certainly had the technological advantage. That is the big reason for our victory.”

“That makes sense.”

“This entire world is embroiled in a war, Frederick. Everyone fighting within it to reach the top is in a neverending arms race. Those who fall behind will only get more and more behind as time goes on. That is why nurturing these types of projects will benefit us greatly in the coming centuries.”

“No doubt.”

“Alright, that’s enough of an info dump for you. Let’s get you and your Prussian men adapted to the new age of warfare. We have many uses for your old guard.”

“I’m ready for a new age,” Frederick said with a smile.