M

Mandara was taken aback by Germany's answer, after everything he did to keep the crown, now he was suddenly fine with returning it, it made Mandara speechless. 

 MA on the other hand wasn't through with Germany, "That's it? After all the trouble you've caused to keep the crown, that is all you have to say?" 

 Mandara put a firm hand on MA's shoulder, "Thunder don't, we do not need to cause any trouble either, whats done is done, let's just leave it at that ok." 

 MA gave him a small glare, but he sighed and dropped his anger. Mandara turned back to Germany, "Thank you Germany, I understand that it is hard to let go of something that you've had for so long, but your doing the right thing, your giving my people a chance to better know their former king, and your giving my father the closure he deserves. I promise that once the crown is returned to our country, everything can go back to normal, the trade deal can go on as planned, and you never have to see us again if that is what you desire."

L

Germany didn't respond; he only offered a simple nod. He was very much aware that MA was mad at him but he also believed he had every right to be mad at them: they had caused considerable trouble during their stay in his country after all. 

 Wehrmacht took over the rest of the talking. "Nein, you're welcome to visit," he said, shooting his nephew a warning glance. "I'm glad we can put all of this behind us as soon as possible to foster a long-term trading relationship. United Nations, danke for your assistance." 

 "My pleasure," UN said. His kind eyes rested on Bundeswehr. "I do believe you've kept your young militant's hands tied for long enough. He must be getting cramped in that uncomfortable position." 

 Wehrmacht immediately untied Bundeswehr. He apologized in the process; Bundeswehr's face still sported those bruises and there was dried blood on the back of his head. 

"Mandara, I'd also like to inquire about your unusually long length of stay here," UN said. "Now that the Crown has been settled, are you prepared to depart? I can escort you back after I finish my next talk with Bundeswehr."

M

Mandara and MA exchanged glances, MA shrugged at his brother before Mandara spoke, "Well, it's complicated, I am sure we are willing to leave today since we have without a doubt overstayed our welcome, but Derogan got in a small fight with Iremacht the other day when the kid tried to attack EU and had several feathers torn out." 

 MA in turn partially unfurled a wing to show UN his missing feathers. Mandara then spoke again, "With that in mind, I contacted the airport and booked tickets for tomorrow morning, so I thank you for your generous offer, but I'm afraid we will have to pass." 

L

"Very well," UN agreed. "I wish you a safe journey and speedy recovery. Bundeswehr, perhaps you should have your wounds tended to first - " 

 "N-No sir," Bundeswehr said. Then he realized he had just interrupted UN and sealed his mouth shut. 

 UN smiled fondly. "Would you like to establish a formal entity-line with Germany first then?" 

 "I would, ja," Bundeswehr said and stood up.

UN stood up too, as did Germany. UN positioned himself behind Bundeswehr and placed his hand over Bundeswehr's right eye. Germany avoided looking at the Mandarians as he walked up to his militant. 

 "Es tut mir leid," Bundeswehr mumbled. 

 "Keine Ursache," said Germany. "Wir sprechen uns später." He raised his hand and touched Bundeswehr's forehead. Bundeswehr flinched as a sharp pain stabbed through his head. As quick as it started, the process was done. Germany and UN both retracted their hands. 

Bundeswehr's right eye was black at last.

M

Mandara and MA looked on in awe, they have never seen another country establish a entity-line with a militant before, the only one they were witness to was their own, when MA became the militant. MA stood up, placing the crown in Mandara's hands before doing so, and took a step towards the three. 

"Congratulations Bundeswehr, from one militant to another I wish you luck on your new journey as Supreme General of the German Army." MA then respectfully saluted Bundie, confident that he will be a great leader.

L

Bundeswehr saluted back. He couldn't believe it; he was now an official militant. His excitement almost made him forget to stand still when saluting. 

He cleared his throat and said in the most formal way possible, "Danke, Mandara Army. I hope to learn more from you as my senior." 

 Wehrmacht also rose from his seat. He saluted Bundeswehr, a smile tugging at his lips. "You've been promoted, soldier. Or should I say, General." 

 "Don't call me that," Bundeswehr laughed. "It feels weird coming from you. 'Bundie' is fine. Same goes to MA and Mandara. I don't want our relationships to change because of some new rank."

Wehrmacht was proud of Bundeswehr's selflessness so he pulled the young militant into a big bear hug that left Bundeswehr wheezing. He only set Bundeswehr down again when Germany cleared his throat. 

 "It has been yet another long day," Germany said. "I am off to bed. UN, thank you for stopping by on such short notice." 

 "I was passing by," UN dismissed. "Mandara, MA, I hope the Crown finds a new - or original - home in your hands."

M

Mandara bowed his head in thanks, "It will, I'm just so glad to have it back after three centuries."  He then turned to Germany, "I hope that with this trade deal, our relations can mend with time, for both our nations and us directly." 

MA nodded in agreement, even though he was still mad at Germany, he too hoped that all this trouble can pass so they can have a more comfortable relation with Germany himself. 

 "Speaking of mending relations, I wonder if Iremacht is still mad at us about before?" MA said.

L

"He is upstairs," Germany replied, not exactly answering the question. "He has probably heard the commotion by now and knows you are here. You can visit him if you want." 

 "I'm afraid I will have to be on my way," said UN. "I have many more countries in line to see. Please let Iremacht know my sincerest greetings." 

 With a flurry of white feathers, UN strolled out of the estate. 

Once UN was gone, Bundeswehr escorted Germany back to his office, leaving Wehrmacht, Mandara, and MA in the living room. 

 "Let's pay the kid a visit," Wehrmacht said. 

M

"I just hope he doesn't have any pranks set up for us." MA joked, which earned a laugh from Mandara, but he just as quickly stopped, "Oh shoot, I just remembered that some of my stuff is still at Wehrmacht's house." 

MA looked at him confused, "Why are your things at Wehrmacht's house?" 

"Because the prank that Iremacht decided to pull on me was dropping cold water on me." Mandara answered, then turned to Wehr, "Do you think I can stop by tomorrow so I can pick up my stuff?"

L

Wehrmacht chuckled as he remembered that prank. "Ja, your clothes should be dry by now." 

Upstairs, Iremacht was moping on the bed in one of the guest bedrooms. He didn't often stay the night at Germany's estate so he didn't have his own designated room. He just chose to shut himself in the farthest one down the hall. 

 Wehrmacht started up the stairs, formulating what he would say to his son now that everything was sorted out. He wondered how Iremacht would react once he knew what had happened.

M

MA and Mandara were also trying to think of what to say to Iremacht, they both knew that the kid is probably still mad at them, and he had every right to be. When they came upstairs, neither of the brothers knew which room he was in.

"We really should have asked which room Iremacht is in." Mandara grumbled. 

"Well, since Iremacht doesn't have wings, we'll have to resort to trial and error," MA suggested, "just knock on the doors till we find the right one." 

Mandara nodded, "Wehrmacht, you take the left and we'll take the right?"

L

"Sounds good," Wehrmacht said and started knocking. 

 The hallway wasn't too long but there were a good amount of doors. Some of them didn't even lead to bedrooms but to mini-closets. Wehrmacht went through all the doors on his side without any luck. 

When they got to the last door, the German sighed, "Either he's here, or he decided to sneak out the window." 

 Inside the room, Iremacht heard his father's voice. It sounded like he was talking to someone, and the teen guessed it must be the Mandarian brothers. A bitter feeling rose in his chest at the thought of Wehrmacht spending more time with foreigners than with his own son. Iremacht didn't move from his huddle on the bed as Wehrmacht opened the door.

M

Mandara and MA hung back for a bit so Wehr could talk to Iremacht first, but they did catch a glimpse of the kid sulking on the bed. Mandara instantly felt guilty that he and his brother made him feel so bitter. MA sensed Mandara's guilt and rubbed his wing against the other's reassuringly, Mandara gave him a smile and the two waited for Wehr to invite them in.

L

Wehrmacht crept into the room. He wasn't sure if he should sit on the bed - Iremacht probably wouldn't like that. So he took a seat in the only chair available and bent forward to rest his elbows on his knees. 

 "Machty," he whispered. "It's over. The case is closed." 

 Iremacht grunted, "Let me guess. I'M the suspect now?" 

 "What - nein!" Wehrmacht said. "It was...it was Germany." 

 "Yeah right," Iremacht hissed. "What other false leads do your Mandarian friends have?"

"It's not a false lead. Germany confessed to United Nations. UN helped us resolve everything just now. We have the real Crown. It's all over." Wehrmacht caught his son's gaze. "We can all be friends now." 

 Iremacht saw only seriousness and truth in Wehrmacht's eyes. It made him shocked at the truth; had Germany been the culprit all along? Iremacht looked towards the door and glimpsed the Mandarian brothers standing outside. Wehrmacht beckoned for them to come in.

M

The brothers entered the room, choosing to stand since they figured that if Wehr didn't feel comfortable siting on the bed with Iremacht, they probably shouldn't either. 

 "Hey Iremacht, how you doing?" Mandara asked, though he pretty much already knew the answer. 

 MA shot him a look for asking a stupid question, "Trigger, we both know the answer to that." he said then turned back to Iremacht, "I think what we should be doing is apologizing for the trouble we've caused, and for wrongfully accusing your father." 

Mandara nodded, "Yes, what we did was uncalled for and we are deeply sorry for doing it, but we understand if you don't want to forgive us, as you have every right to be mad."

L

"I hate the way you people apologize," Iremacht mumbled. Wehrmacht looked startled at that response until Iremacht continued, "It makes me feel bad, like you're guilt-tripping me." 

Even though Iremacht knew that wasn't their intention, he still said it as an attempted joke. The teen stopped hugging his knees and stretched his legs out more comfortably. 

 "So it's true then?" Iremacht said. "My cousin took your Crown? I can't believe he'd do that." 

"I couldn't believe it either," said Wehrmacht. "But our countries' relations are back to normal, thankfully. Mandara and MA will be leaving tomorrow. We'll be leaving for Ireland soon too."

M

Mandara chuckled at Iremacht's joke, "Sorry about that, I guess we just are too good at being sincere." 

MA nodded in agreement before adding, "Speaking of leaving, I can speak for both of us when I say we are going to miss you and Wehrmacht, and you are welcome to visit us any time you like."

Mandara then nodded, "Indeed, since you've had to put up with us in you country, it's only fair that we do the same in ours" He said before adding with a smug smile. "Not to mention I still owe you and Bundie some shooting lessons."

L

 Iremacht smiled back, remembering their competition at the shooting range. It felt like weeks ago when it was really just a few days. 

"I stand by what I said before." Iremacht puffed out his chest. "I could totally beat you on the shooting range." 

"Now now, don't get ahead of yourself," Wehrmacht said. "Let's get back to our house first so Mandara can pick up his clothes. And then maybe go out for dinner because I'm starved."

M

"Me too" the brothers said in unison, they blinked at each other but ended up just laughing it off. 

Mandara's smile then faded when he thought about Germany, "I wonder if Germany is even going to want to come, because I feel like we have really damaged our relation with him." 

MA hummed in agreement, he definitely wouldn't be surprised if Germany didn't want to join, "Well, at the very least I'm sure Bundeswehr would want to, right?"

L

"Cousin's probably not going to come," Iremacht muttered. He slid off the bed and went out of the room. "I don't know if I want him to come either if he really stole your Crown. He lied about it several times." 

 "He may also keep Bundeswehr close," said Wehrmacht. "One, to go over militant duties and entity-line procedures now that he's got his eye. And two, for protection since I doubt he trusts anyone right now."

M

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Mandara sighed as he and MA followed the Germans out of the room. 

 MA then piped up, "Hey, what did you do with the crown?" 

"Oh don't worry, I put it in my room and locked the door, it should be safe." Mandara said, then faced Wehr, "On that note, was it a good idea to take the crown out of the museum, because you said there was procedures and stuff involved with removing it."

L

Wehrmacht froze in the hallway when Mandara said he'd put the Crown in his room. 

 "Ja, I can take care of the procedures remotely. It's mostly taking the Crown outside of the country," he explained. "But besides that, I don't know if it's the best idea to leave the Crown in this estate since Germany has keys to all the rooms." 

 "They could take it to our house!" Iremacht piped. "Oh, oh, I know, if Mandara and MA wanna, they can sleep at our house too if they're not comfortable sleeping here. We have a spare bedroom."

M

"That's a great idea." Mandara declared, "One moment, I'll go get the crown." He left to do just that. 

 "Nice catch Wehrmacht." MA said, giving the German a gentle nudge, "I never would have thought of that, and we wouldn't mind staying with you guys tonight, I'm sure Germany would be delighted to have us out of his house." he said that last part with a hint of bitterness in his voice, but said nothing further. 

 Mandara came out with the crown, he put it in the bag just in case. "Alright, shall we head out?"