Sovereign

"Another pretender state has been declared by the savage male rebels. The Empire of Larissa, goddess knows, is a corrupted state beyond repair. Now, the worst came from this scourge-infested Empire, as the LBF (Larissan Brotherhood Front) successfully took control of eighty percent of the vast Empire in an almost plague-like spread. These rebels then declared the 'Confederation of Larissa' in the ruined halls of the 'Summer Palace' of the Larissan city of Velikov. It would appear that the new revolutionary state is made up of the local uprisings of warlords in the vast domain of the Empire. We expect that these divided weaklings will be crushed by the powerful centralized government of the Imperial Remnants from the Grand Duchy of Theresa, however pathetic they are."

- Le Feminine

+++

August 17, 2024

City of Loviedo

Republic of Asturia

Unsurprisingly, Foreign Affairs Minister Adelaide Wallenstein didn't like being in this place. The "Republic of Asturia" could be described as "not very pleasant" for women, at the moment, especially after the Asturian Revolution that ousted the Kingdom's regency council from the country back in May.

Since then, Orland's ally, the Kingdom of Gallia, had been entangled in battle with the Republic for months. Many expected that the extremist Republic would collapse - but somehow, they not only held on but reformed into a more "democratic" form.

Which was why Adelaide and the Orlish Delegation were here in Loviedo. The Gallian Queen once again sent her envoys to discuss the terms of surrender of the Republic, and she was here to "observe" the proceedings.

"We would like to preface this meeting…" The Gallian Duchess of Lorraine started. "That we are here to discuss peace for both of our nations. This war has gone on long enough, and the Queen sends her pity to all those affected. As such, we propose an end to this conflict. I pray to the Goddess that cooler heads will prevail this time."

On the other side of the table, the Orlish and Gallian delegations faced the grim-faced men of the Republic. She could even see three Orlish officials from the Provisional Government, who talked to each other quietly.

Most of them wore their military uniforms, some even with their caps on, which almost hid their eyes when they looked down on their papers. As far as Adelaide was concerned, these men weren't treating diplomacy with proper decorum, as if they were prepared to go out again to command the frontlines in a mere snap - after talking about peace.

The leader of the Republic's delegation, Brigadier General Roberto Santiago - now the Republic's Foreign Affairs Secretary, replied back with a cold, deep tone. He was only twenty-seven, Adelaide knew, yet somehow, he almost looked as if he was in his forties, already aging and in decline.

She supposed the wars and its horrors wore down this man. All the more reason for her to despise it.

"The Republic appreciates this gesture, Gallian." He didn't sound appreciative. "I hope the Queen is prepared to leave Asturian soil this time."

"We are negotiating your surrender." The Duchess of Lorraine replied.

"Then it is a no."

"As to be expected." Adelaide knew that both sides weren't going to agree on anything large today, but they were still here, mainly for two reasons.

First, the Kingdom of Gallia didn't want to appear any more threatening to the Republic than necessary. Their position during the start of the war, was, according to many analysts, one of the main catalysts for the Loviedo Massacre.

Push the revolutionaries too hard, and the moderates might lose out to the extremists…leading to unfortunate events.

As for the Republic, the Asturian Government wanted global recognition and legitimacy. Their moves to democratize and end their crackdowns on magic, alongside their openness to diplomacy were done in an effort to at least remove their status as a "rogue state".

And with both sides already frozen in their positions on the frontlines, it was already starting to look grim for anything but diplomatic peace. Especially with Gallia on the verge of bankruptcy after their "thirty-day operation" turned into another quagmire reminiscent of the Great War.

She sighed, as the two sides continued their diplomatic dance, as offers and counter-offers were made as each hour passed. She and her staff took notes, but alas, most of it was unproductive nonsense.

The talks soon ended.

+++

"Lady Adelaide Wallenstein…you seem quite troubled there." Adelaide was merely looking out at the balcony, deep in thought as she watched the busy skyline of Loviedo when she heard his voice.

She turned around to confirm who it was.

"Sir Santiago? Oh, worry not. I was just admiring the city. Not bad."

She wondered why her security detail allowed him to come. She wasn't really worried about her safety, as they most likely already checked him, and she did come here to talk.

But still, she kept her guard up.

"Is that so? One would think that someone from Orland's High Aristocracy would find a city run by men…less pleasant."

"I believe Asturia's Government is now half women, is it not?"

"The reality is that women have more expertise in ruling than the hodgepodge of revolutionaries that started all of this. It's a natural development."

"But they don't hold the important ones."

"No. Not at least until the revolution is complete."

She chuckled.

"Would that really happen?"

"The revolution believes in democracy, Lady Wallenstein. How can there be democracy when women, who make up more than half of our nation, have no representation?"

Subtly, she noticed the tiny smirk on his face. It was, after all, a criticism of the "Arcanist Democracy" prevalent in almost all Kingdoms. Where women of all kinds supported and celebrated a system of "democracy"...a democracy that represented only those with magic.

And thus, one that almost all men, and many female thinkers even, criticized as nothing but a fad. A democracy only in branding…not in essence.

"Most revolutionary states make it a point to bar women from positions of power, Sir Santiago."

"And we're not like them. But we won't blame them."

Adelaide raised one of her eyebrows.

"Why?"

"The revolution is besieged on all sides. Even from the inside. The implementation of true democracy is but an idealist luxury when the true conditions are contradictory with its prerequisites. How can you make the people rule when half of the people potentially want the other half to have no voice?"

"Most women would not oppose true democracy."

"We know. But many do. Especially those in the High Nobility."

Adelaide sighed. She didn't really enjoy talking to ideologues. They were hard to deal with, diplomatically. They believed not in the common interests of both parties, but in the interest of their ideology. Republican men at their core, were afraid of all things royal, and were hard to talk with.

Like a prey talking to its predator. They kept their guards up, prepared to run or pounce should the opportunity present. They didn't view her, the MN, the Queens of every kingdom, and women as parties to truly potentially talk with in good faith - but as enemies.

Dammit…let's just, get down to business.

"...Why are you letting the 4th Fleet gain access to your ports?"

"Why are you supplying Gallia with arms?"

"They are our allies."

"Exactly."

She looked up at him.

"So, an enemy of the Orlish Crown is your ally?"

"Not exactly, but we sure have common interests. We are both male-led revolutionary republics in a struggle against matriarchal counter-revolutionary elements."

"I thought the Asturian Republic was searching for international recognition?"

"But you and the MN's member states are being slow."

"We cannot just recognize governments formed by violent takeovers."

"And we cannot align ourselves with the monarchist order that views us as rogue states."

"And so, you would rather align with your fellow brothers? The pariahs of the world stage?"

He nodded.

"If the world order treats even moderate revolutionaries as pariahs, then we would have no choice but to align with the rest of our revolutionary brothers."

"Extremists…extremists who would violate the rights of women just to get back at us. Did you forget that?"

Adelaide wasn't exactly comfortable with that fact. Asturia, and many other "revolutionary" republics, while revolutionary, had already proven themselves to be at least half decent. They, at best, tried to avoid turning the tables around for their female populations.

And, for the most part, they were trying to democratize themselves to deliver their egalitarian promises. Unfortunately, almost all members of the Mandate of Nations, Orland included, had gone paranoid and branded all as the same.

Collectively, they were branding them all as enemies of the civilized order - radical dogs that must all be put down in the name of the common good. There was no distinction. A revolutionary republic was the enemy of all women, automatically, plain and simple.

And now, these states, besieged at all sides, were now banding up. All while the extremist ideals of the revolution spread like wildfire, as paranoid revolutionaries pointed at the Mandate of Nations, and shouted, "All of the world and women are against us!"

All this would lead to a true second great war. Between men and women.

And that would be bad. For both men and women.

"But what can the Queen of Orland offer to us?"

She sighed. "We'll mediate peace between Gallia and Asturia. Then we'll give you our recognition."

"I see…"

It is not enough, isn't it?

"You'll discuss it with your superiors?"

"Yes. Thank you for this talk."

"You're welcome."

He left without much drama. Adelaide herself merely gave one last sigh, as she turned her back from the skyline of Loviedo.

+++

Adelaide didn't exactly enjoy her last conversation. It ticked her wrong - incredibly wrong. Her mission was ultimately just to observe and report back to the Queen while giving the Asturians some idea of what Orland could potentially offer.

But she didn't like what she was seeing. There were already more than two dozen "male-led revolutionary" governments across the world, and they were being pushed to band together by the international world order that vehemently rejected them.

Orland, Lieplatz, Asturia, Hebei, Larissa…it's almost like falling dominoes.

And the worst part about it, it was the most industrial powers that were falling to revolutions. Asturia was one of them. While their economy was smaller than Gallia or Lorathia (which were the two main Great Powers left that hadn't fallen to a revolution), the Asturian Economy was mainly backed by its enormous heavy industries.

Unlike Gallia's light industry or Lorathia's financial empire - Asturia produced industrial toolings, robotic assembly lines, ships, and war machines, mostly licensed copies of Orlish technology.

It was due to the more "heavy-handed" policies of Asturia's Monarchy on men, that kept their labors so cheap, that they effectively became the factory of both West Vaeyox.

The ARDF may have started smaller, but already, the amount of war material that Asturia's industrial cities produced was starting to tip the balance in the Northern Front.

And if Asturia joined the Provisional Government, Asturia's ports (which were developed to house Orland's naval assets as a part of the Ivory Alliance's Collective Defense Treaties) could be used by the 4th Fleet and the countless rebel flotillas hellbent on bringing down international shipping.

Adelaide stopped walking, as she saw the Asturian Foreign Affairs Minister conversing with the observers sent by the Provisional Government down below.

She couldn't just let them have Asturia that easily. But what could she do, when Her Majesty's Government had almost nothing to offer?

Goddess…this is getting worse.

She merely rubbed her temple before walking away.