Sovereign

“Kingdoms of Lorathia and Gallia finally announce general mobilization! Lorathian and Gallian troops are now filling the Gallia-Poznek DMZ just as winter sets in. Trench lines and defensive emplacements left over from the Great War are being manned and improved, as Gallian frontier towns and cities are fortified in anticipation of an offensive from the Confederation of Larissa. Whether or not they will hold without Orland is a question, however, as the Confederation wins victories after victories against the remnants of the Order Pact in Eastern Vaeyox.”

- Geopol Press

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West Orland

County of Wittfield

City of Halia

January 7, 2025

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case, Your Majesty.” Minister Adelaide said, as their first proper session of a cabinet meeting began.

Beside Amelie was the Prime Minister, Jacqueline herself, who was reading the reports from West Vaeyox. The Deputy Prime Minister, Walter Plock, on the other hand, was conversing with his three fellow male ministers. The Minister of Infrastructure, Energy, and the Minister of Science and Technology. They were all seated on the left side of the table, almost forming their own block in the Heiss Government.

On the other side, the Minister of Defense, Archduchess Pristina Dubois, seemed to be discussing something with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Allison Thell. All while the Ministers of Economy, Education, Interior, and Arcane Development listened to Minister Adelaide’s updates about the situation in West Vaeyox.

“Well, then…right. War in West Vaeyox. Does this mean we really are in the Second Great War?” Amelie asked as the Ministers looked back at her. “I…I really thought beating the Empire would end our problems in West Vaeyox, but it seems that I’m sorely mistaken.”

“Well…yes, but still, technically, the Empire already signed a white peace with us.” Minister Adelaide said. “We are fighting unrecognized rebel groups, so—”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re unrecognized or not,” Walter said. “The Confederation is arguably more prepared for a hot war than the Empire. Sure, we sunk their navy, and Larissa is cut in half, but the Confederation is mobilized. The Imperial Army wasn’t destroyed. Not even dented. And they’re fighting with the rebels, who are in the process of mopping up resistance in the rest of the Order Pact after completely wiping the floor of the Kingdoms of Poznek and Lombardia.”

“Still, we shouldn’t be too pessimistic about this. We sunk their navy. That should count for something.” The Archduchess smiled to herself. “We just need to send a token force to support Gallia. And regardless of what they do, they won’t be able to touch Lorathia, giving us a base to support our operations indefinitely.”

“Still…damn it, these endless wars.” The Prime Minister said, sighing to herself. “First the Empire, then the Putsch here, now, the Confederation. We really are in the Second Great War. No matter how much we deny it.”

“The Ivory Alliance will be prepared to respond to this.” Minister Adelaide said. “We already conversed with our fellow alliance members. We will soon trigger Article Nine to bring in all of the Ivory Alliance into this fight.”

“Lieplatz and Asturia won’t join it.” Minister Thell said. “Well, who am I kidding? Those traitors are already on the side of the Confederation.”

“Quite frankly, the Federal Government is the same,” Walter said. “Once Article Nine is triggered, and we call in all of the member states of the Ivory Alliance, they’re going to finish the Loviedo Conference in a few days with a martial alliance of their own. Suddenly, we’re going to be at war with all of them. At once. We’re going to have to reposition our forces to the Lieplatz-Orland border.”

“That’s why, I plan to invite all of the Mandate of Nations into this.” Amelie declared, and suddenly, everyone stopped, looking straight at her. “The Princess of Hebei already gave me that idea, and I think it’s correct. All of us must band together to fight them back. If global war is inevitable, then all the remaining member states of the Mandate of Nations must band together. Led by the Ivory Alliance and Orland.”

“Wait…Your Majesty…” Minister Adelaide started. “Much as it pains me to say this, the Asanai Empire for example has ended their male-revolution problem with their emergency reforms. The second largest great power is now already on the path to isolate itself from this war, and they’re the only country holding much sway in the non-aligned member states of the Mandate of Nations.”

“I thought their Princess said that we should all band together for the fight in the last Mandate of Nations conference? Princess Yumi Kawasaki, was it?”

“Yes, but that position has since been reversed by their Empress.” Minister Adelaide sighed. “The Asanai Empire is reversing whatever claims they have about uniting the Mandate of Nations against this crisis, for some reason. I suppose that is to be expected. They stayed out of the Great War, they stayed out of the Hebei Civil War, they’re going to stay out of the Second Great War.”

“Well, pacifists.” Minister Hegel commented. “But at least they’re true pacifists. It’s no wonder their island nation is prosperous and that its economy is second only to Orland. When was the last time they found themselves in a war? Oh, yes, like, nearly a century ago.”

“That’s because they have everything they need.” Countess Anne Wittfield, the Minister of Economy said. “And they have always prioritized their nation’s development. Inward isolationism works sometimes, I suppose. We could have done the same.”

“Well, my older sister would kill you if she heard you say that.” The Prime Minister said. “To be fair, she’s already criticizing your protectionist policies.”

“Yeah, as if I’ll listen to her. Her and the previous regime’s policies are what led us to the Great War and to this crisis. Their mistakes are too great for them to even jab at us.” Countess Anne Wittfield scoffed. So far, her economic policy had been protectionist in nature, and she had been taking greater and greater control of Orland’s corporations, both female-owned and male-owned. Thus, why she withheld the subsidies until the nearly bankrupt corporations caved in.

She was shaping Orland away from the former Weirlöff government’s nearly laissez-faire policies that allowed corporations too much power. As far as mainstream historical analysis was concerned, the previous Orland’s over-reliance on foreign markets (especially oil and raw materials) was the main reason for their involvement in the Great War, as both the Empire and Orland had to “fight” for their spheres that would supply their hungry economies.

Not to mention, it was done in order to protect Orland’s investments into West Vaeyox in Gallia, Lombardia, Lorathia, and Asturia. After all, no sane Orlish aristocrat or capitalist would allow the Larissans a free hand at destroying their oh-so-precious assets and investments in West Vaeyox. Thus…Orland’s main reason for creating the Ivory Alliance. And thus, Orland’s involvement in the Great War when the Ivory Alliance faced off the Order Pact.

“You do have a point in that, Minister Wittfield,” Amelie said. “Still, again, we cannot abandon our allies.”

“I know that, but from now on, the state must have more control over our own economy. We’ll develop our own mines and oil fields. We’ll develop our own manufacturing bases, here, in this nation. Not there. That’s how Orland would be from now on.” She declared. “And that’s exactly what we promised on our workers anyway. Jobs here, not there. It’s the only way to ensure stability after this war.”

“Free trade isn’t bad, Minister Wittfield.” Minister Adelaide said. “And, there’s merits to a more open economy.”

“Perhaps, if the world was more peaceful. But it’s not. And there are revolutions everywhere. Stability must be our priority. Especially with this war. We’re only going to win this if we have control over our economy. And we are on track to that path.”

“On the topic of the economy…” Minister Sobieski looked at the Archduchess. “Are we going to discuss the question of Orland’s penal workers?”

The Minister of the Interior didn’t seem amused. “What of them?” She said. “Is this about that incident again? If it is, then I will reiterate. The police, the Royal Guard, and Orland’s judiciary have no involvement with that nonsense. This is the fault of those corporations alone.”

“I take responsibility. That was our mistake, and we are changing it.” The Archduchess added. “We need those penal workers regardless. We are already facing shortages in our workforce. And this is the best way to deal with Orland’s criminals.”

“Of course, the supplier and the user would say that.” Minister Sobieski said. “Whatever. I’ll just say that I won’t be surprised if these practices continue well after this war.”

“It won’t be,” Amelie said. “I’ll ensure that.”

“If my administration is still in place once the war ends, yes, we will end it,” Jacqueline said. “But for now, even with that accident, we will have to keep these penal workers in the factories, mines, and the fields. I apologize.”

“Back to the question of foreign policy,” Amelie said, trying her best to steer the topic away from that one (because she really had no way to deal with it at the moment). “We need, again, to ensure that the Mandate of Nations is united together. Do we not have any influence.”

“Orland is the strongest nation of the MN. Even with the civil war, our navy and our massive economic power are still holding our superpower status absolutely.” Minister Adelaide said. “One word from Orland, and most likely, the nations aligned with us will follow. Possibly at supporting nations engaged in wars against these revolutions…but, as the Asanai Empire showed, most likely, the remaining stable and non-aligned MN member states would steer clear from direct involvement.”

“Unless we push them.” The Deputy Prime Minister said. “Or the revolutionaries push them. I seriously doubt the Asanai Empire would continue their neutrality if the Republic of Hebei rains missiles on their peaceful cities.”

“And why would the Republic do that?” Amelie asked.

“Well, if only we still had the OIA, it would have been easy. But unfortunately, we do not.”

“Deputy Prime Minister, whatever you’re suggesting, I do not like it,” Jacqueline warned. “This government will not involve itself in dirty strategic plays. Especially with the values we are supposed to uphold.”

“I’m just saying. I am merely giving you all an option. Because if there’s anything the last chemical attack that our friendly rebels showed, it’s that the other side is willing to do dirty games to win.”

The Archduchess shook her head. “Oh, you military men and your dirty tactics again…”

“Heh, I wonder what kept us on the edge of desperation at all times for us to develop that mindset.” Minister Hegel joked. “But regardless, I agree with the Deputy Prime Minister. A little false flag attack here, a little assassination there…you know…and suddenly, the Asanai Empire intervenes in the Hebei situation, and then…”

“That’s exactly something we should avoid,” Amelie said, shooting down both of their ideas. “Nope, none of that. Minister Adelaide, we’ll try to do this diplomatically. They’re our potential allies, and I don’t want any option that would harm them. I want those ideas placed in the bin now.”

“I…alright,” Walter said before Amelie frowned further.

“And this discussion won’t leave this room. So, it appears the only policy we’ll be changing is our foreign policy.”

All of them nodded in agreement. “Alright. Minister Adelaide, prepare our diplomatic missions. And Minister Wittfield, please, continue your plans at mobilizing our economy. Minister Dubois, do continue leading the RGO and OAF in holding the lines. And Prime Minister Heiss…fix the deadlock in the Parliament, please.”

“I’ll try, Your Majesty,” Jacqueline said, even though there wouldn’t be any easy way to pass the draft to conscript women.

“That will be all. Dismissed.”