I tend to agree that the FEI (at least the North) would field a brutal force within instants of any invasion.
I also find it funny that anyone thinks that everyone else on the continent doesn't want to see Arcaea constantly held to a stalemate with Arcachon. It keeps them safe from the war-machine and is good fun (and a better bang for your buck militarily) to boot.
Of course, no-one wants Arcachon to expand either. I'm just glad to be on the offensive again as that's really what Ciann lives for.