Chapter 59: Chapter 58: Master Family Conference

“We gather here today to help guide and shape our world.” Jarek Heraklinos stood on the center stage in the middle of a circular array of tables facing him. The tables were partitioned into eight segments for each nation state present: Heraklinos, Sage, BloodStar, Holy Light, Starfallen, Karasu, United States, and Texas.

Jarek’s voiced boom, “As the host to this conference, it is my duty to remind you of our purpose. First, we are here to decide whether there is enough support to meet criteria for full-scale war. Recall, a state of peace is the default outcome. To achieve approval for all-out war, at least 6 of the 8 parties present must vote for war to reach the 75% threshold. Second, if war is approved, it is our duty to ensure that all acts of war are within our code of ethics. Third, once the war is over, it is our duty to dissolve all aggressive forces.”

Jarek paced as he spoke looking directly at the heads of various empires, nations, and states. He then said, “If we are all in agreement, then let us begin!”

He walked back to his table which represented the Heraklinos Empire where Jacek currently sat at his side. Jarek then said, “Pope Gregory. You may start this conference as you have already started a war.”

Pope Gregory stood tall at his table. Pope Peter sat to his side quietly looking on as Gregory began, “It is my intention to take Texas. It is then my intention to conquer the United States. It is my holy right to do so as the United States has festered with the foul stench of sin and democracy for too long. I will not have it seep into my empire.”

Gregory looked around the room and said, “It has not gone unnoticed that the Sage and Heraklinos Empires are interested in preserving some or all of the United States. I would be amenable to this arrangement if we can open a dialogue on my empire retaining the southern border states of the United States of America. Furthermore, to garner support for my war, I would also see to it that Karasu Clan becomes an official Master Family in the lands north of the United States.”

Karasu, a legendary ninja in his own right, had his interest piqued instantly. Master Family status was his entire goal in life, and he would throw his support to whoever voted him in as a Master Family member.

Jarek turned to Arthur and said, “President Davis, it is my understanding that you have recently seceded from the United States to stand and fight. What do you have to say on the matter?”

President Davis stood proudly, straightened his jacket, and with a sharpness to his voice, he began, “You all sit here and belittle my people and my nation as if war and your victory are long foregone conclusions. You all offend me. You all make me sick.”

He gulped but maintained his composure in the faces of his mighty opponents as he remembered Xenia’s words. He continued, “Your insolence offends me and for that I say that anyone who interferes in my country or the lands of the United States will be subject to the wrath of my future rule over these lands.”

Smirks and chuckles were heard throughout the room. Jarek himself even had a slight smile as he said, “And Empress Victoria. You are an ally of President Davis here. What do you have to say after hearing his words?”

Victoria stood in her crimson red set of armor. The chuckles and laughter heard round the room instantly died as she stood. It was clear she was ready to fight at a moment’s notice. She said, “I personally will not involve myself in any war outside of my lands as per our Great War Treaty; however, as my daughter is an ally of President Davis, I do have the right to send my empire’s forces to support him. And that is exactly what I plan to do. I will never forget the attack on my daughter.”

Jarek stood across the room from her and said, “Your Gladiator Champion Nero is no match for the combined forces of the Master Families if it comes to that. Don’t be a fool, Victoria.”

Victoria smiled, “A fool? I look around this room and see only fools save for Arthur Davis. Nero is a Gladiator Champion. He lives to die on the battlefield. War is what he lusts for. And war is what I intend to give him. Consider your staggering losses at his hands before you act on your desires for war.”

Jarek was not smiling any more. His voice boomed as he responded, “There will be no staggering losses at the hands of Nero. I will take care of him myself if I have to. Even if he bears your sword on the battlefield.”

Pope Gregory giddy with excitement shouted, “Jarek is the strongest warrior here! He is even stronger than you Empress Victoria!”

The room went abuzz with a flurry of words and excitement, and Jarek spent the next minute calming everyone. After regaining control of the room, he said, “Don’t be fools! Empress Victoria is the strongest fighter here even with her curse decreasing her ki aura by 50%. She is that strong. However, she cannot best our combined might, and she knows it.”

He then looked to Victoria and said, “What is the meaning of forcing a loss on yourself Victoria? This is unnecessary.”

Victoria responded sharply, “Unnecessary?! Have you all forgotten what happened to my daughter, Xenia? I am doing what she would want! She was an ally to the United States. Her only remaining ally seems to be President Davis. Nothing can stop me from that! If you are so confident that you can win this war then kill my Gladiator Champion, weaken my armies, and then come for me within my own empire… if you dare!”

The room went silent for a moment knowing that Victoria had the might and the resources to give her words real meaning. Her words and threats couldn’t be brushed off so easily.

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Jarek calmy said, “Very well. We know where the BloodStar Empire falls in this conference.” He turned to Karasu and said, “Master Ninja Karasu. Your thoughts?”

Karasu stood, “If Pope Gregory means what he said about propelling me to Master Family status, then I fall on the side of the Holy Light Empire.”

Jarek nodded and said, “Lady Starfallen. As a neutral presence in this world, where do you fall?”

The young Lady Starfallen stood and looked to Arthur, “Mr. President Davis, it is growing ever more clear that I may be the one who can stop this war by aligning with your side. What can you offer me to save you and your country?”

Arthur laughed and shook his head, “What can I offer you? I can offer you your existence for aligning with me. Align against me, and I can guarantee your demise.” Arthur then pretended to absolutely lose it as he began to yell, “And that goes for everyone here today! Anyone who stands against me is dead! You’re all dead!”

President Monroe of the United States leaned over to Senator Hammond at his side and said, “Poor Arthur has completely gone mental. He’s lost it. What do you make of this?”

Hammond shook his head and furrowed his brow, “This is an act. It has to be. Davis is a very smart man, not a fool. He knows something we don’t. You must speak up to get to the bottom of this. We are here to avoid another Great War… not start one.”

Monroe shook his head and blew Hammond’s advice off. He wasn’t keen on standing up for Arthur after this outburst. He also thought that Arthur had no secret information unavailable to the rest of the parties. He truly believed Arthur had lost his mind under the pressure.

Hammond, seeing that Monroe had no plans of intervening, could only sit silently and lament his President’s actions. He thought to himself, “What are you up to, Arthur?”

Lady Starfallen gasped at Arthur’s words and sat down in a hurry as she shouted, “I align with the Holy Light Empire!”

Gregory looked on with excitement as he watched Arthur dig his own grave. He thought to himself, “This junior president is alienating all of his potential lifelines. What a grand fool!”

After hearing the United States and Sage Empires throw their support behind the Holy Light Empire, the vote was clear. The final vote was 6 – 2.

As host of the conference, Jarek was entitled to the last word, and he looked to Victoria and said, “I hope you understand the trouble and devastation you have brought upon yourself today. You would stand with this outcast at the detriment of your own empire just to spite us?”

She smiled and said, “We outcasts like to stick together.” She then looked to Pope Gregory and said, “I will leave at once to prepare my armies. They will be in Texas within the week. Good luck on the battlefield.”

Gregory smiled and nodded to her, “Good luck to your warriors as well. It is a shame they will be fighting without their Empress at their side.”

Victoria laughed and said, “Oh trust me, Gregory. Someone much more eager than I will be there to lead them. You wait and see.”

Jarek looked on and felt an unsettling feeling. He expected a certain level of confidence from Victoria as she was someone who had previously thrived in the glory of battle. However, this was an unusual level of confidence for someone who wouldn’t even be partaking in the battles herself.

He shook the feeling off and announced, “For those who stay, please do not forget the formal ballroom dance gala will be tonight at 8:00 pm sharp. I hope to see you all there for one last peaceful moment before the war activities begin!”

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