Published at 10th of March 2026 6:57 am

Chapter 899: The New Hanseatic League

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The dual banners of the Rising Sun and Siam flew over the Malacca Strait. Following the withdraw of European empires, the South Pacific had become a hotbed for piracy.

And the dual pillars of the region had taken decisive military action. In a campaign that spanned nearly a year. The pirates were subjugated, and the region was consolidated. There was just one question remaining.

What did the two nations do with their gains?

Empires had become an obsolete doctrine. At least in the imperial occupational sense of the word.

Bruno had taught the wiser world leaders that if one could control the outflow of resources from conquered lands without flying their banners over them.

King Rama VIII sat in Deoksugung Palace, within its fabled Stone Hall. Across from him was Emperor Yasuhito of Japan, and the Korean Emperor Yi Un.

There were also representatives from the Lion Militia that aided their efforts against the chaos in Malaysia. And a man dressed in an officer’s uniform that mirrored the German Kaiserliche Marine’s pattern, but in colors far more ancient.

The man was Wolfgang von Zehntner. He wasn’t of Bruno’s direct line, but was the grandson of his second eldest brother Christoph von Zehntner. He had served as a naval captain during the Second World War, and in the years since its end had transitioned to a leadership role within the "New Hanseatic League."

On paper, the New Hanseatic League was a global maritime commerce entity. In reality, they were often nicknamed the "Sea Wolves" because they functioned a privateering corporation. The naval counterpart to the land based mercenary entity known as Werwolf Group.

Bruno had found that with the vast downsizing of the Kaiserliche Marine following the end of the war, that he couldn’t just sell the excess naval stockpile to other nations.

Unlike land based weaponry that Germany had already planned replacement of in its official armed services. Things that could be easily stripped of advanced technology like optics, computational devices, and explosive reactive armor.

The classification of naval vessels Germany had was decades ahead of its peers. Scrapping them would be an enormous waste of resources, especially when their hulls had so many years of service left before a single retrofit was needed.

Naturally, Bruno decided that the best way to avoid over-extending Germany’s naval forces, yet protect global maritime trade routes was to privatize it.

Hence, the New-Hanseatic League was born. And their influence had already been seen during the later stages of the piracy conflict in Southeast Asia.

Wolfgang wasn’t here to negotiate post-construction efforts. He was here to ensure that the New-Hanseatic League was properly paid for services rendered.

Something that brought the temperature in the room down significantly.

Rama decided to make his opening statement.

"We all know why we’re here... In the wake of the European colonial Powers withdraw from the South Pacific we have seen a massive increase in terrorism and piracy. All of us present have spent the last year fighting to suppress these regional threats. And now we must decide how to build the future. Everyone here has contributed significantly to the stability that we have bought for ourselves. And everyone here has paid some degree of price to obtain it. I am opening the floor to claims that those present wish to pursue before this matter is settled."

Wolfgang waited patiently, he sipped on his tea while waiting for the others to press first. And naturally, the representatives of the Lion Militia were first to stake their claim.

"Singapore must remain independent. Malaysia has made its stance clear: they do not wish for us to be a part of their country. So we will walk this path alone. But, that means that if anyone, even those present wishes to intrude upon our sovereignty, we are willing to fight to repel it."

Yasuhito showed the representative of the Lion Militia a stern gaze. He had wanted to control the Malacca straight after this was over. Hell, Japan had spilled significant amounts of blood and resources to stabilize the threat of piracy in the area.

Without gaining absolute control, his gains would be diminished. And that would put him in a precarious position.

But he couldn’t exactly declare otherwise, not overtly, the Lion Militia had made the willingness to continue bloodshed clear. And the Japanese public was already sick of the fighting that had gone on long enough.

Because of this, he kept himself calm, as he forced his tone to be filled with restraint.

"The Empire of Japan can accept this assertion if they are properly compensated for the bloodshed and the iron sunk in order to help secure the Lion City and its independence."

The representatives of the Lion Militia immediately understood the hidden intent and were quick to counter.

"These conditions can be agreed upon if within the boundary of reason. But do not expect to extort us into servitude. Just because our nation is young and small does not mean we don’t understand how the greater powers play with finances."

Rama instantly noticed Yasuhito was getting flustered. He had attempted to pursue some form of debt-trap diplomacy to keep Singapore under his influence, and the Malacca Strait with it.

But he had been seen through entirely. He was left with few options, that is until Wolfgang forced himself into the conversation.

"The Malacca Strait is critical to global maritime trade, but it is merely the throat. The arteries stretch from the Indian Ocean to the furthest Pacific islands. If piracy is allowed to return here, it will return everywhere."

He paused for a second, taking a sip of his tea before continuing.

"With this being the case... it would be wise for Singapore, which is most adjacent to its access be tasked with the responsibility of keeping it open and neutral to all the world’s powers."

After saying this, Wolfgang narrowed his gaze at Yasuhito.

"If the Empire of Japan seeks compensation for losses sustained during the conflict, I would suggest looking towards Malaysia, which failed to keep the criminals at bay, rather than Singapore who aided us in suppressing them."

Despite the New-Hanseatic League technically being a private non-state actor. Everybody present knew that they represented the interests of the German Reich.

If Wolfgang said that Singapore should be independent and not burdened with repayment of losses sustained during the conflict. Then there was nothing anyone present could do about it.

Ultimately, the conversation shifted towards Singaporean independence, free flow of trade through the South Pacific, and joint-maritime responsibility. As for the repayment of losses, Malaysia and Indonesia bore responsibility for that. And if they couldn’t pay with currency, natural resources would be forcefully handed over in equal exchange.

Share