Lu Chen's ambition wasn't simply to conquer an island nation.
This place was inherently resource-scarce, relying heavily on imports for coal, metal ore, and rubber. It lacked any advanced technologies even in the Taisho Era.
Aside from fishing, its industries were limited to agriculture and textile manufacturing.
Earth during this time was undergoing a period of drastic and turbulent change.
The British Empire had completed its Second Industrial Revolution and was expanding its global influence, reaching the peak of its power.
Eaglefort was transitioning from an agricultural to an industrial country, experiencing a golden era of development after the end of its Civil War.
The Qing Dynasty was struggling to survive amidst turmoil.
The natives of the African savanna watched the large crocodiles bare their teeth and picked cotton on plantations.
If he didn't intervene, perhaps it would follow the same path as the Earth he came from, going through two World Wars, the Cold War, and eventually forming a unipolar world with one superpower and many weaker nations.
After all, the existence of “Demons” in the Demon Slayer world was just a minor hiccup in the development of civilization.
But he intended to take complete control of this place, using it as a resource base to fuel the development of his own civilization.
Of course, he would do so sustainably, using advanced technology to increase the productivity of this world while simultaneously harvesting its resources.
He wouldn't be foolish enough to simply plunder and run.
…
Two days later.
News from Sasebo Harbor shattered the last vestiges of the Shogunate’s mental defenses.
“According to reports from the Demon Slayer Corps and local sources, the Alliance fleet recently wiped out all ‘Demons’ near Kyushu.”
“They reduced Sasebo Harbor to rubble, and the flames burned for days without extinguishing.”
“Furthermore, residents claim to have seen a blinding explosion as bright as the sun, along with a massive mushroom cloud, permanently altering the surrounding landscape…”
The photographs that arrived showed the Alliance fleet's formidable power in a horrifyingly clear manner.
While the Shogunate was unconcerned with the existence of “Demons,” considering the Demon Slayer Corps to be a mere civilian organization, the power to level mountains and wipe a city off the map was real!
For the first time, they felt the vast gap in military strength between them and modern civilization.
If the other side launched an attack, the entire Kyoto, no, even several coastal cities would be destroyed in an instant.
The Shogunate’s generals, advisors, and civil and military officials stared at those photos, breaking out in cold sweats.
They looked at each other in silence.
They couldn't think of a single way to defend against such an attack.
踏——踏——
Lu Chen reappeared in the hall.
“Have you decided?”
He asked them.
“…”
“We accept your terms, General.”
The Shogunate’s General hesitated before reluctantly replying.
His face was grim as he signed his name on the document and affixed his seal.
“The Shogunate agrees to become a tributary state under the Star Sea Alliance. From this day forward, all our affairs shall be subject to the arrangements of the suzerain state.”
“Good, you’ve shown some sense.”
Lu Chen received the document.
“I will establish an administrative body here. Every quarter, you will be required to pay a portion of your resources according to a set ratio.”
“Prepare yourselves accordingly and do not delay, or else you shall face the consequences.”
His words were firm, and the Shogunate’s officials could only nod in agreement.
It was only after they watched the fleet sail away from Tokyo Bay that they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Speaking of which…”
Gazing at the departing fleet, one official suddenly remembered something.
“Their direction… is Eaglefort?!”
…
After subjugating the island nation and adding it to their tributary states, the fleet continued eastward.
It sailed across the Pacific, heading directly for the west coast of Eaglefort.
The Earth at this time lacked organizations like the United Nations, so they had to conquer each country one by one.
“America is a land of freedom and equality. We have just escaped from the tyranny of the British Empire and refuse to become a vassal state to any nation!!!”
Eaglefort led a massive fleet of ironclads and armored cruisers to block the Alliance fleet along the coast.
A day later, all of their ships were reduced to atoms and removed from the naval registry.
The fleet arrived before Washington D.C., adding another tributary state to their collection.
Afterward, white people and Black people picked cotton together on plantations, subjected to Lu Chen's equal discrimination.
“The Royal Navy is invincible. No one can challenge the majesty of the Empire that never sets!”
At the mouth of the Thames, the most powerful Royal Navy in the world challenged Lu Chen.
Two days later, the Alliance’s eagle banner rose over Buckingham Palace. Tributary state +2.
“Fvrentibvs-Eminet-Avstris, France shall never surrender.”
Half a day later, the Richelieu battleship sailed down the Seine River, bombarding the Palace of Fontainebleau. France surrendered unconditionally, tributary state +3.
…
Within a month, most of the major nations on the blue planet had become tributary states through diplomatic pressure or physical negotiations.
The fleet had inadvertently accomplished a remarkable feat: conquering the entire world.
“Commander, what should we do with the world over here from now on?”
Richelieu looked at the map marked with countries, rubbing his temples in distress.
These countries had vastly different levels of development. Some were industrialized nations, others were agricultural nations. Their languages, customs, and traditions were diverse.
Even in modern times, humanity had not established a unified world government. How could they do it in the early 20th century?
“Of course, we’ll let them continue their own affairs and make them our rear-area resource bases.”
“Once we enter the interstellar age, we can easily send a few people to unify this place and establish an Earth government.”
Lu Chen patted Richelieu on the shoulder.
“Mission complete, prepare for return.”
“We now have the resources of two worlds. Once we enter the interstellar age, we might even be able to develop two or even more universes.”