Free People's Press - Breaking News
The Gelibolu, Luccan, and Moacian delegates have arrived in Lucca to discuss the future of the Empire and that status of their colonies. Representing Lucca, Kunimichi Ashikaga was the first to issue his address to the Crown Prince Asahi.
"We, the Free People's of Lucca, thank the Crown Prince for his kindness, generosity, and grace in allowing the Free People's of the Illuminate to determine for themselves their destiny. Before us we find an uncertain future, and in our footsteps a darkened path we can no long tread. Driven from our livelihood we, the Free People's of Lucca, stand united in brotherhood and comraderie. We realize that, no matter the cost, we are brothers with the Xyraeli's. We fought together, we bled together, and we will continue to bleed together. This time is not the time to falter, now is not the time to dishonour our heritage with petty greed! The world is consumed with the fires of hatred, jealous, desire. The Light is fading from the eyes, and the tide of an inevitable war seems to draw closer every day. We much bear the torch together. Together, my brother Prince, the will of the Free will never be shattered, our resolve and conviction has never been stronger. The Light has shown us our path, and we must never waiver. The Free Illuminate of Lucca stands beside you, and anyone who would call himself our brother."
Though spirits were high amongst the Luccan representatives, largely untouched by the horrors of war, cheers erupted throughout the crowd. It was clear that Lucca was definitively a part of the Illuminate, and that the refugees were welcomed despite the growing economic crisis. Within the past seven hours prices have continued to sky rocket 1400%. Unprecedented inflation was clearly not a factor to deter the bonds of brotherhood for the Luccan people.
This sentiment, however, was not shared by the Gelibolu representatives. A silenced crowd anticipated the expected. The Gelibolu representatives rose to the microphone, nodding in the direction of the Crown Prince before speaking.
"The times for the Illuminate have indeed been darkened. It is a tragedy that the Illuminate and it's people suffer as they do, but now is the time for a new future. As the Xyraeli people forge their path, together with the Luccans, so must the Gelibolu people. It is our decision to do this for ourselves, we will build for ourselves a solid future, created by the hands of the people. Gelibolu can no longer be subject to your rule, not out of disrespect for your late Emperor, but out of respect for the wishes of the people we were elected to represent. It is our sincerest hope that you and yours may find a place in the world beside us in peace. The future will be that much brighter with one less conflict."
The Crown Prince was not enraged at the words of the Gelibolu delegates, instead nodding and waiting for the Moacians to voice their speech as well. The Moacian delegate rose from his chair, bowed deeply before the Crown Prince, and continued to the microphone.
"The Light fades away every day. Yet, without darkness, we have no understanding of what Light is. Without shame we have no pride, without suffering we have no hope, without pain we have no pleasure. It is the teachings of the Light that tell us what we must endure at any cost, and yet in these trying times it is the teachings of the Light that first come into question. Are these teachings true, can there be hope without suffering, can there be pleasure without pain? These are the dreams we strive for, but do they exist? We have all experienced suffering, pain, shame, loss. We are all people without a home to truly call ours, we are all people afraid what the next day holds for us, afraid that Darkness is ready to snatch our very souls from us. But why do we fear if this is the path the Light has truly laid before us? Fear is a result of indecision, indecision is a result of a multiplicity of options, and multiplicity of options is the result of multiple paths. Before every man the Light has laid multiple paths, and yet we follow the brightest with the greatest of expectations, the highest of hopes, and the aspiration of dreams. This is the Light within each of us, this is our resolve, for within every man there glows a flicker of Light which guides each of us. No matter how dark times grow, we, as followers of the Light, guide our own path. But we are not alone in the shadows, we only have to realize that we are but the flicker of a star on the abyss of the void. Some stars shine brighter than others, but every one of us stands together alone, a myriad of stars together in the night seperated by Darkness. We must stop relying on the Light within us to guide our path, we must find within unity that together our Faith grows brightest, and that this path is the truest path. Knowing this, it is our sincerest hope that our brothers of Faith will accept our wish to unite Faith under one banner. Together our Faith will never falter, and Darkness will never encroach upon our dream. Moacia pledges itself to this global union, let us unite, my Prince. We are of one faith, let us be of one nation."
Crown Prince Asahi was not the only man stunned by the vow taken by the Moacian delegates. The Moacian delegate stood in silence for slightly over a minute before cheers erupted and echoed throughout the city. The Crown Prince stood to bow before delegate, much to the surprise of the delegates. Several words and smiles were exchanged before Asahi gripped the mans hand and raised it to their air with a smile.
With the end of the speeches Gelibolu was formally released and recognized as a sovereign nation, and Moacia was formally annexed under the Illuminate banner.
